Bike Servicing 101

Your bike is more than just a machine—it’s your daily ride, your weekend escape, and your ticket to freedom on two wheels. But just like a car, it needs regular maintenance to keep running smoothly and safely.

At Trailnet, our expert mechanics service all types of bikes at fair prices, ensuring they stay road (or trail) ready. But how often should you service your bike? And what are the warning signs that it’s time for a tune-up? Let’s break it down.

🔧 Why Regular Bike Servicing is Essential

Even if your bike seems fine, small issues can build up over time, leading to costly repairs or even dangerous failures.

✅ Smoother Ride – Regular servicing keeps your bike running like new.
✅ Longer Lifespan – Prevents wear and tear from turning into major problems.
✅ Safer Cycling – Brakes, gears, and tires all need regular checks to keep you safe.
✅ Saves You Money – Fixing a small issue early is much cheaper than waiting for a breakdown.

At our workshops in Brentwood and Dagenham, our skilled mechanics ensure your bike stays in peak condition—whether it’s a quick tune-up or a full overhaul.

🚴 How Often Should You Get Your Bike Serviced?

The frequency of servicing depends on how often and where you ride. Use this simple guide to know when your bike needs a check-up:

🚲 Occasional Riders (Once a Week or Less)
🔹 Service Every 6-12 Months
🔹 Check for rust, flat tires, or stiff brakes
🔹 A quick tune-up before a big ride is always a good idea

🚴‍♂️ Regular Riders (Commuters & Fitness Cyclists)
🔹 Service Every 3-6 Months
🔹 Keep brakes, gears, and chain in top condition
🔹 Lubrication and minor adjustments prevent long-term damage

🏁 High-Mileage Cyclists (Daily Riders, Off-Road, or Competitive Cyclists)
🔹 Service Every 1-3 Months
🔹 Frequent wear on chains, tires, and brake pads
🔹 Full safety checks and deep cleaning recommended

Not sure when your last service was? If your bike feels sluggish, noisy, or less responsive, it’s time for a check-up!

🔧 Basic safety check before every ride

Introducing the ABC check:

A is for air:

Check the air pressure, spin the wheels and make sure the tires are not worn out.

B is for brakes:

Check to make sure coaster brakes will stop the bike by spinning the back wheel and applying the brake. If the bike has hand brakes check to see that the levers don’t hit the handlebars when squeezed. Lift one tire up at a time and spin it; squeeze the levers to see if the tire stops. The brake pads should be clean, straight and contact the rims properly.

C is for Cranks, Chain, and Cogs:

Grab the crank arms and try to wiggle side to side. There should be no movement. Spin the pedals and cranks to see if the chain drives the rear wheel. The chain should look like metal not rust or black gunk. If the bike has gears check to make sure the gear levers and derailleurs (gear-changing mechanism) work to shift the chain between gears.

🔍 5 Signs Your Bike Needs Servicing ASAP

🚩 Brakes feel weak or make noise – Worn brake pads can be dangerous.
🚩 Gears slip, skip, or struggle to shift – Your drivetrain might need an adjustment.
🚩 Chain is dry, rusted, or squeaky – Lubrication is key to smooth pedaling.
🚩 Wheels feel wobbly or uneven – Spokes may need tightening or truing.
🚩 You hear creaks, clicks, or grinding noises – Don’t ignore strange sounds; they often signal hidden issues.

If you’ve noticed any of these problems, bring your bike in for a quick tune-up at Trailnet—we’ll get you rolling again in no time.

🔧 What We Offer: Professional Bike Servicing at Trailnet

No job is too big or small—we fix them all!

🛠 Basic Tune-Up – Essential adjustments to keep your bike smooth and safe.
🔄 Full Service – Deep clean, adjustments, and safety checks for peak performance.
🔧 Custom Repairs – Got a specific issue? We’ll diagnose and fix it.

📍 Where? We offer bike servicing in Brentwood & Dagenham.
💰 Affordable & Fair Prices – Quality servicing that won’t break the bank.
⏳ Quick Turnaround – We get your bike back to you as soon as possible.

📅 Book Your Bike Service Today!

A well-serviced bike is a joy to ride—don’t wait until something breaks. Keep your ride smooth, safe, and reliable with expert servicing from Trailnet.

Pop in with your bike or contact us with any of the details below 🚲💨

🚲 Brentwood – Thorndon Cycle Centre

Located inside Thorndon Country Park, we offer:

Refurbished bikes & professional bike servicing
Cycle hire for all ages & abilities
Group rides, lessons, inclusive cycling & more

📍 The Avenue, Brentwood, Essex CM13 3RZ
📞 +44 1277 218497
📧 info@trailnet.org.uk
🕒 Open: Varies Seasonally – check here

🚲 Dagenham – Becontree Cycle Centre

Serving the local community with:

Affordable refurbished bikes
Expert bike servicing & repairs
Cycle mechanic training & inclusive cycling options

📍 3 Rugby Road, Dagenham, RM9 4AL (just 50m from Becontree Station)
📞 +44 20 8593 1677
📧 info@trailnet.org.uk
🕒 Open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM