Learn How Often To Service Your Bike & New Bike Maintenance Tips!
One of the biggest questions we get in our stores is, when should I get my bike serviced? How often should I service my bike?
We offer 2 free first service on all of our Reid Cycles bikes. We’d recommend that you book your first bike service in after 3 months of riding. Those initial adjustments and checks are extra important. When your bike is first assembled the new parts take some time and riding to get to know each other. Thoroughly checking and adjusting all the parts of your new bike is extra important at this early stage.
After this initial service, we recommend a major service each 12 months with a minor check up at each change of season. 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, mud and dust all mean more frequent servicing. It's worth keeping an eye out for the telltale signs that your bike might need a service.
Telltale signs that your bike is due for a service
1. Squeaking Bike Chain
A squeaking chain can be a sign of insufficient lubrication
2. Grinding Noises
Grinding, skipping or clicking noises from the gears indicate that they need adjustment
3. Bike Chain Slippage
Your bike chain should never fall off the sprocket; if it does, your derailleurs may need adjustment
4. Hard To Brake
Brake should engage smoothly and quietly, with only a short pull on the lever
5. Rattles
Any rattles, wobbles or creaks should be investigated early; usually it's an easy fix, but best to catch it early!
If you're seeing any of these signs, it may be time for a service or a tune-up.
Increase The Time Periods For Servicing Your Bike
As with any mechanical device, prevention is better than cure, so here’s things to look for every time you ride, every week and every month. A couple of small maintenance tasks, done early, can extend the period between major services, help your components to last longer and give you better performance!
Every ride:
Do an ABC-Quick check!
This stands for Air, Brakes, Chain and Quick Releases.
A- It’s just a quick way to remember to check the Air in your tyres.
B - Makes sure that your Brakes are working right.
C- your Chain is clean and lightly oiled.
Quick Check - Quick Release skewers (or bolt-on axles) are done up right and tight.
Having a floor pump at home with a gauge means that you can get the tyre pressure right, quickly. The mini-pumps are best for use out on the road. Some good lube like Rock’n’Roll Gold makes the chain part easy.
Every week:
- Do a thorough check of your air pressure using a pump
- Check your tyres for wear, cuts and grazes, and replace if necessary
- Check brake and gear cables for rust or fraying, and replace if necessary
- Check your pedals and cranks to make sure that they’re tight
- Listen to your chain turning through the gears - are the gear shifts crisp and accurate, and is the chain quiet?
Every month:
- Check that your wheels are true and straight
- Lubricate brake levers, derailleurs and cables
- Check and lubricate your pedal cleats (if applicable)
- Check all the other bolts, such as those in crank, seatpost, handlebars, stems, brakes and gears
- 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, and it gives you the chance to get your bike looking bright and new!
If you notice any issues as part of the daily, weekly or monthly check over, it might be an indication that your bike is due for a check-up. If you're at all unsure at how often you should service your bike, give our team a buzz. We can help.
Where to get your bike serviced?
As always, the Reid Cycles stores are happy to provide advice over the phone or in person about what bike servicing and maintenance you might need for your bike. We also recommend buying one of our bike service plan packages for our new bikes. This is available in bronze, silver & gold. We also offer a full range of mechanical bicycle services.
Click here to contact one of our store locations to book your bike in for a service.