When should I get my bike serviced?

One of the most common questions we get is "when should I get my bike serviced ad how often should I do it?"

This all depends on how often you use your bike and how well you look after it.

Brand New Bikes
A good rule of thumb for new bikes is to book it in after 2-3 months of riding to get a check up and initial adjustments. This will be a quick process to tune the bike as parts bed in and cables stretch. Following this rule will give you the best chance of enjoying your new bike running it's best and avoiding more significant tuning/repairs down the line.

Caring For Your Bike
For regular riders we recommend a service every 6 months (after Summer/Winter). It’s a reasonable guideline, but it really does depend on how much you ride, and what kinds of conditions you're riding in. Heavy use, rain and gritty mud all mean more frequent servicing. Neglect is also a big one - if you do a few things regularly yourself (like lube/clean the chain) it will reduce the need for repairs later.

How Can I Tell My Bike Needs A Service?

1. Squeaking bike chain: A squeaking chain can be a sign of insufficient lubrication. Your best bet here is to buy some chain lubricant, drip it on the chain, run the chain through a rag and see how that helps.
2. Grinding noises: Grinding, skipping or clicking noises from the gears indicate that they need adjustment. You can watch our maintenance videos or book a service with your local bike shop.
3. Bike chain slippage: If you chain is coming off the sprocket it usually means your derailleur needs adjusting. You can watch our maintenance videos or book a service with your local bike shop.
4. Poor braking performance: Brake should engage smoothly and quietly, with only a short pull on the lever. This could be an issue with the brake pads being worn, or the brake cable being too stretched from overuse. You can watch our maintenance videos or book a service with your local bike shop.

Regular Maintenance Tasks

As with any mechanical device, your bike will require some regular care and prevention is always better than the cure. A couple of small maintenance tasks can extend the period between major services, help your components to last longer and give you better performance.

Before every ride, do a basic A-B-C check:

• AIR: Check the air pressure in your tyres. Proper pressure will make the bike roll easily and reduce punctures.
• BRAKES: Quick test to ensure you can easily stop.
• CHAIN: Is it clean and lightly oiled?

You should also double check the quick release levers/bolts on your wheel axles to ensure they are tight and good to go.

When you get some time each month or so, we recommend performing the following additional simple tasks: 

• Check your tyres for wear, cuts and grazes. Replace if necessary.
• Check brake and gear cables for rust or fraying. Replace if necessary.
• Check your pedals and cranks to make sure they’re tight.
• Listen to your chain turning through the gears - are the gear shifts crisp and accurate, and is the chain quiet?
• Check that your wheels are true and straight (spin and looking for a wobble).
• Check the bolt tightness in your handlebars and stem.
• Inspect the bike frame and components for any dings, dents, cracks or scratches - giving the bike a thorough clean is sometimes the best way to do a detailed check.

If you notice anything that isn't right and you can't fix, we suggest booking a service early. Bike problems tend to grow from a simple tune-up fix, into a more expensive part replacement if left untreated.