Service Intervals
When should your bike be serviced? Depends who you ask, but this page will give a general set of guidelines for when certain bike maintenance should be performed. Keep in mind that riding in extreme conditions or heavy use can shorten these intervals.
With the added weight and torque of e-bikes, they will almost always fall on the early side of these intervals (i.e 3-6 mo will be closer to 3 mo.)
Every Ride
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Check your tire pressure - Use a pump or gauge to make sure your tire is properly inflated. If you are unsure of the proper p.s.i. most tires have pressure ranges printed on the sidewalls of the tires. Spin the wheels and visually inspect if the wheels are straight and check for hub play, wheel trueness, and brake drag.
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Wipe down and lube chain - wipe down the dirt and grime from your chain. Apply lube to the chain, cycle the drivetrain through the gears, then wipe off the excess lubricant. Leaving the chain wet attracts dirt and dust that will significantly decrease the life of your chain.
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Clean your fork stanchions, and shock and dropper shafts - wiping down the stanchions before or after every ride helps keep the dust out of your seals and extends the service intervals of these components.
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Check your axles are secure - Ensure that your axles are tight. If you have quick release make sure they are tight enough to leave an indent in your hand when you tighten them. If you have thru-axles, make sure they are tightened to manufacturer specifications.
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Clean your frame - while cleaning the frame itself won't make you any faster, you can't deny it looks better. Try to keep the dirt out of suspension pivots and wipe the frame down once in a while to keep your ride dialed!
EVERY 3-5 RIDES
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Check your fork and shock pressure - Over time, your fork and shock will slowly lose pressure. Use a shock pump to make sure your suspension is at the correct pressure.
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Check Brake Pads - Rim brakes are easy to spot if they are worn or not, they should be supple enough the make an indent with your fingernail. If you have disc brakes, look down through the caliper with a white background to see how much pad material is left. If you have hydraulic disk brakes, use a clean cloth and rubbing alcohol to wipe down caliper and look for fluid leaks.
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Check bolt torques - Loose bolts can cause dangerous scenarios whether that be handlebars twisting unexpectedly or your brake calipers coming loose. Perform an "M" check on all bolts to make sure those crucial fasteners are tightened to spec.
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Charge Electronic Components - If you have any electronic components such as Sram AXS or Shimano Di2, check battery levels and charge as necessary.
EVERY 3-6 MONTHS
Many of these tasks require special tools and training.
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Service Fork Lowers - Changing out fork seals and oil is a great way to extend the life of your fork, and prevent more expensive headaches down the trail.
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Service Hydraulic Brakes - This can include a full brake flush and in some cases rebuilding levers. This ensures clean fluid in the lines, and smooth levers for the ultimate stopping power.
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Service Dropper Post - Similar to suspension, dropper posts need to be serviced regularly. Check your dropper manufacturer for specific instructions.
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Deep Clean Drivetrain - This includes more than just the chain... cassette, derailleur pulleys, and chainrings too. Clean and lube the freehub body. While the cassette is off, consider overhauling your freehub as well. the pawls, springs and drive ring clean with fresh hub grease/oil can prolong the life of your rear wheel and reduce drag.
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Check tires and sealant level - Keep an eye on your tires and monitor tread depth. Replace when necessary. Check tire sealant level and add more if low. If there are clumps or dried sealant, clean out the inside before adding fresh sealant.
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Check for chain wear and stretch - Replacing the chain before excessive wear can save costs on expensive drivetrain components such as cassettes and chainrings. Use. chain checker to measure the chain and replace if necessary.
EVERY 6-12 MONTHS
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Service rear shock - Perform an air sleeve and seal service. If the shock is making excessive squish noises, then you may need an internal damper service as well.
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Linkage and frame service - Disassemble and clean all linkage, check bearings for smooth operation. Replace bearings if needed. Keep in mind bearings will always feel smoother when not under load, so if there is even the slightest bit of resistance, it is most likely time to replace them. Check headset and bottom bracket, cleaning and regreasing contact surfaces upon reassembly.
