How Often Does My Bike Need Maintenance?

A bicycle may not need the same type or extent of routine maintenance that a car does, but it will still need some ongoing preventative maintenance to extend its lifespan and give you the best operation possible during your rides. One of the most common questions we get from bike owners is how frequently they can expect to have to bring their bike in for a tune-up.

Your maintenance intervals will really depend on your riding habits, but there are a few ways you can tell if you need service on your bike, and a few things you should watch out for. With this in mind, here’s what you should consider when determining how often to get your bike serviced in Boca Raton, FL:

• Brake pads: The brake pads will be one of the primary indicators of whether or not you need to seek out maintenance for your bike. You should hopefully know how thick the brake pads were when you first put them on. If they’re starting to wear down, or if you start to notice squeaking or squealing when you apply the brakes, then it probably means you’re going to need to have them serviced.
• Chain: The chain will typically last you anywhere from 800 to 1,000 miles when riding in normal conditions. Mountain biking is tougher on the chains, and may cut that lifespan down to just 400 to 600 miles. If you stay on top of chain replacement, this will cut down on the wear and tear of other parts of your bike that could cost you significantly more money to replace.
• Drop test: One way to determine whether or not you need to get your bike serviced is to perform a “drop test.” This might sound a bit ridiculous, but it’s actually an effective indicator of whether or not you’ll need to have maintenance done. Pick the bike off the floor and let it drop on its tires. The bike should be silent. If you notice any rattling, it means it has loose components or worn/damaged parts that need to be addressed.
• Frequency of use: The more you use your bike, the more often you’ll need to bring it in. If you’re a regular rider, whether for commutes or exercise, you’re going to want to really make sure you stay up to date on a good maintenance plan. This is especially true if you ever ride during inclement weather, such as in heavy rains. In addition, not riding a bike can also cause issues to crop up. If it’s been just standing in a garage over the winter, it could have problems with corrosion, dried-out bearings or gear mechanisms that are frozen.

These are just a few of the issues you should monitor as you determine how frequently you will need to have your bike maintained. To learn more about the importance of bike maintenance in Boca Raton, FL and how often to get your bike serviced, we encourage you to contact the team at Bicycle Doctor House Calls today.

Categorised in: Bicycle Maintenance

This post was written by Writer