Bicycles SALES, SERVICE & BIKE RENTALS
How Often Should I Service My Bike?
The repair shop is a medical center for bicycles. I have my bike serviced regularly, and so should you. It’s the only way to avoid (expensive) problems.
You should service your bike once or twice a year, depending on how much you ride. A complete overhaul is required approximately every 4,000 miles (6,000 km). However, some minor maintenance tasks (chain lubed, brake pads replacement) have to be done more often
Prevent damage by regularly servicing your bike
Everything you own, you need to take care of, and a bicycle is no different. Luckily, taking care of your bike is neither difficult nor expensive if you do it right. As the old saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ That is especially true when we’re talking about bike maintenance.
Have your bike serviced at least once a year. That way, before every ride, you can be sure your bike is in good condition, and you can use it without worry. If you ride more than twice a week, an extra service a year is recommended.
Bike parts wear out. Some need constant lubrication, some need to be replaced, and some need to be tuned. Only by regular servicing can you expect your bike to last ages.
When you take your bike to the repair shop, it will be fully inspected, and everything that needs to be repaired or replaced will be repaired or replaced. Usually, that’s just some minor things like changing brake pads, lubricating the chain and bottom bracket and trueing the wheels.
When is the best time to service my bike
If you only service your bike once a year, you might wonder, is there a best time to do it? The answer is yes, there is.
The best time to service your bike is before the start of the cycling season. That way, your bike will be ready when the sun comes out, and you want to take your first ride of the season.
Some people argue that it’s better to service your bike after finishing your season, this is incorrect. If you service it after the end of the season and then store it over the winter, it will need some maintenance before you can take it for a spin in the spring. So why pay for servicing in the autumn if you need extra work afterward.
The ReCyclist Bike Shop recommends servicing your bike in March, as April is often warm enough for first rides. However, bike repair shops like ours are usually busiest in March, as everyone wants to get their bike ready for the season, so you might want to bring your bike in a few weeks earlier.
If you’re planning on riding through the winter as well, then an extra service per year is highly recommended. After talking to a few cyclists, I learned that the best time for winter servicing is October, as the weather starts to change then. There is more dirt on the road at that time, which you need to protect your bike from.
How to tell if my bike needs servicing
Determining servicing by calendar or mileage gives us good guidelines for regular servicing, but sometimes a bike needs to be serviced sooner.
It’s important to recognize the signs that your bike is telling you it wants some attention. If you don’t spot them early enough, some parts may be damaged and need to be replaced. And that’s never cheap.
What you need to pay attention to:
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Unusual pedalling noises
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Grinding noises
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Poor brake response
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Bent rims
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Wobbly wheel
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Broken cables and broken cable housing
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Dents and cracks on a frame
Take your time before every ride and do a quick scan of your bike. It will take you only a minute or two, but it can save you even a few hundred dollars.
Do you just have the feeling that something is off? Have your local bike shop give your bike a once-over. A tune-up will get you back to pedaling smoothly and safely.
