Maintenance Guide

Keep Your Bike Running Smooth—from Day One to Last Ride

DIY where it's simple. Lean on our shop where precision, safety, or special tools are required.

DIY vs. Shop — quick rule of thumb

  • DIY Cleaning & lubrication, tire pressure, front tube/tire swaps (non-e-bike), bolt checks, pad swaps, minor cable tweaks.
  • Shop Wheel truing & re-tensioning, hydraulic work/bleeds, bottom bracket/headset/hub overhauls, drivetrain wear diagnosis, e-bike rear tire/hub, suspension service.

Filter tasks

Tip: start with DIY—if it's noisy, unsafe, or uncertain, bring it in.

Every Ride DIY

  • Check tire pressure; top up to sidewall spec.
  • Squeeze brakes; ensure solid bite and lever return.
  • Quick chain wipe if sandy or grimy; relube if dry/noisy.
  • Lights & reflectors working (commuters, cargo, kids).

Weekly / ~100 miles DIY

  • Clean & lubricate chain (wipe excess).
  • Bolt check: stem, bars, saddle clamp, pedals.
  • Inspect tires for cuts/glass; pick debris.

Monthly DIY Shop if issues

  • Brake pad wear check; replace pads if thin (DIY).
  • Shift test: if skipping under load → shop diagnosis.
  • Spin wheels: if visibly wobbly → shop true/tension.
  • MTB: confirm fork/shock sag & function; adjust as needed.

Seasonal (3–4×/year) Shop

  • Measure chain wear; replace if ≥ 0.75%.
  • Brake system service: adjust cables or bleed hydraulics.
  • Wheel true & spoke tension check.
  • MTB: fork/shock seal clean & lube; tubeless sealant top-up.
  • E-bike: firmware/battery health check, connections inspection.

Annual Major Service Shop

  • Overhaul headset, bottom bracket, and hubs (as applicable).
  • Replace chain & cassette (road/commuter ~2k mi; MTB ~1.5k mi).
  • Hydraulic brake bleed; cables/housing replacement if sticky.
  • Suspension full service (50–100 hours ride time intervals).
  • Inspect/replace tires (worn tread, cuts, cracked sidewalls).
  • Frame/fork inspection for cracks or corrosion.

Lifetime / End-of-Life Shop

  • Replace major components (gears, suspension units, wheels) as they fatigue.
  • Consider retiring frames with structural damage or severe corrosion.

Modern Road Bikes

TaskWhenWho
Chain replacement~2,000 milesShop
Tire replacement2,000–3,000 milesDIY
Wheel trueYearly or when wobblyShop
Headset/BB serviceYearlyShop

Front Suspension MTB

TaskWhenWho
Fork lowers service~50 ride hoursShop
Chain replacement~1,500 milesShop
Tire replacement~Yearly (knob wear)DIY
Damper rebuild~100 ride hoursShop

Full Suspension MTB

TaskWhenWho
Rear shock service50–100 hoursShop
Pivot bearingsInspect yearlyShop
Wheel re-tensionAs needed (big hits)Shop

Hybrids

TaskWhenWho
Chain replacement2,000–3,000 milesShop
Tires~3,000 milesDIY
Basic tuneAnnuallyShop

Kids' Bikes (20″ & smaller)

TaskWhenWho
Tire pressure checkEvery rideDIY
Rust check on chainSeasonallyDIY
Brake pads/cablesAnnuallyShop
Bearings/wheelsIf rough or wobblyShop

Urban Parents with Cargo Bikes

  • ShopRear wheel & e-hub service annually (heavy loads accelerate wear).
  • DIYMonthly spoke check (pluck for even tone); visit shop if tones vary.
  • DIYBrake pad checks monthly; pads wear faster with weight.
Tip: e-bike rear tire/tube swaps are best handled by a shop.

Daily Commuters

  • ShopChain & cassette ~2×/year (mileage dependent).
  • DIYLights & reflectors weekly; lube chain weekly.
  • ShopSeasonal tune-ups to catch bearing/cable wear.

Mountain Bikers

  • ShopSuspension services by hours (50–100h).
  • DIYTubeless sealant top-up every 3 months.
  • ShopFrequent wheel true/re-tension after rough rides.

Road Bikers

  • ShopAnnual headset/BB service; drivetrain wear checks.
  • DIYClean/lube after wet rides; inspect tires for cuts.
  • ShopFit re-check yearly to prevent overuse injuries.

Casual Riders & Families (Path Riders)

  • DIYAir up before every ride; bikes sitting tend to lose pressure.
  • ShopAnnual safety check: cables, bearings, pads, wheels.
  • DIYSurface clean & lube at the start of each season.