There is no single right interval for a bike service. A bike ridden to work every day in the rain wears out much faster than one taken out on sunny Sundays. These rules of thumb are a good starting point.
- Daily commuters: a full service about every six months, and a quick safety check in between.
- Weekend riders: a full service once a year, ideally before the riding season starts.
- E-bikes: they are heavier and faster, so brakes, tyres and chains wear sooner. Have them checked a little more often than a normal bike ridden the same distance.
- Kids’ bikes: a check whenever the bike is handed down, and whenever the seat or bars are moved up a size.
Signs your bike needs attention now
- Brakes that squeal, feel soft or need a long pull on the lever.
- Gears that jump or will not shift cleanly.
- A chain that looks dry, rusty or noisy.
- Tyres with cuts, bulges or a worn, flat centre.
- Creaks or knocks that were not there before.
If you notice any of these, do not wait for the next service. Most of them are quick and inexpensive to fix early and cost more if they are left.