Maintenance, mid-season bike tunes and services to expect, even on a new bike

Schedule your next bike tune here!

WHEN A BIKE IS BRAND NEW

Bolts

We know this better than anyone, even with our own bicycles! When a bike is new, bolts have a terrible habit of loosening up even when perfectly tightened to factory specs. On your first few rides, listen up for funky noises that could be hints of wonky or loose threads. I just experienced this on a brand new Epic 8 that was fine a week ago, but after hearing some creaking, I noticed play in the fork. 

Cables and Shifting

Cables do not stretch, but the housing they sit inside can compress. If you haven't gone electronic, expect to need to make some adjustments and don't panic if something feels a little off. We can get this dialed and shifting smoothly.

If you have gone electronic, you're not out of the woods. It is common on a Sram drive train to forget to charge your derailleur battery. Once you have developed a regular charging cadence, like charging after every bike wash, you should be good, but it usually takes limping home stuck in gear before this lesson is learned. The battery inside the shifting pod can also be low if it's been sitting in a warehouse for a long time. After replacement, it should last an entire season. 

Suspension

Speaking of suspension, this is an important place to focus on a new bike. It may take some time to dial in the suspension to suit your riding. In my Epic 8 example, the suspension felt terrible after a few rides, even though it was a pristine fork and shock I was used to on my older bike. I had set the fork pressure to the chart, but it was still too firm, and I had to let some out. Rebound also had to be dialed in. We recommend starting in the middle and experimenting with moving it one click at a time until is in sync with your riding style.

Wash and Lube

A clean bike will reduce creaks. Avoid blasting water where it shouldn't go, especially in pivots and greased areas. Try to avoid storing your bike wet. You may not need to lube after the first few rides, as the chain is already lubricated, but getting in the habit of lubing every ride will make the chain last longer and shift smoother. 

AFTER ONE MONTH OF HARD RIDING

Creaking

Even new expensive bikes develop creaks. If you bought your bike from us, don't worry, we expert creak hunters. Bring it in and let us know whats going on and our test riders and service writers will diagnose the creaks and get the bike silent again.

Brakes

Brake adjustments are common in the first few weeks including realignment of the brake and rotors. 

Brake pads are consumable and they are designed to wear and be replaced. Inspect brake pads even after the first month if you do a lot of descending, riding through water, or if you are a heavier rider. Depending on your riding style, the time until break pads are toast can vary greatly. We have seen riders ruin rotors by missing a break pad change even if the first month or two of riding. 

Sealant

Replacing sealant is common after the first month. It has a tendency to dry up and evaporate on a new tire. Refilling your tires will greatly reduce the chance of a flat!

AFTER SIX MONTHS OR ONE SEASON

Suspension

If you haven't serviced your suspension yet, now is the time to change the lubrication oil on the fork and shock. This is typically included in the 50 hour suspension service and will keep your fork and shock working better longer.

Pivots and Bottom Brackets

Bolts, bearings, and pivots all need to be examined. Bottom brackets can be one of the cheapest replacements in six months to make the bike run smoothly. 

Chain

Chains stretch over time and depending on how much you ride, your chain may need to be replaced 1-2 times per season. If you aren't sure whether your chain needs to be replaced, visit us at the shop or pick up a handy chain checker tool. Although chains like on the new Sram Transmission last longer than ever, they will still wear out after your first season of riding. The general rule of thumb is to expect to replace the chain 1-2 times and then you will be ready for a new cassette and chain ring. 

Cables and Housing

Cables and housing rarely suddenly snap. Fraying or kinking of the cables is a good indication that you are due to replace them before you are just riding along and something goes wrong. 

Brakes

If your brakes feel soft or spongy, it's probably time for a bleed. Hydraulic brakes that use DOT fluid can degrade rather quickly and will work better if they’re bled a couple times a year. Brakes that use mineral oil can be used longer without bleeding, although the fluid levels will change as the pads wear down. It’s best to count on preventatively bleeding a couple times a season.

Replace brake pads if worn below 2mm of pad thickness or anywhere near the backing plate. Wear will vary depending on the pad compound and conditions you ride in, but brake pads can easily be removed for inspection or replacement.

Don’t put off contacting us or the manufacturer if something on the bike has been giving you a hard time. Most components have a 1 year warranty and addressing it early before this lapses is important. Fill out our warranty form here and we will help!

ONE YEAR IN

Suspension

After a year, manufacturers recommend that your suspension is due for a rebuild. We have the ability to replace fluids and gasses in house! We can even rebuild dampers to give you that new bike plushness on a bike that has seen some hard miles. 

Chain

You are due for another chain and it may be time to examine the cassette to see if shark teeth are forming. 

Cables and Housing

We recommend new cables and housing at this point. 

Brakes

Brake pads are due again and it is time to take a hard look at rotor wear, especially if you are using a lightweight model. Rotors typically last through a couple brake pad swaps. We can check it for thickness with a special measuring device. 

ONGOING BIKE MAINTENANCE 

Bike maintenance is an ongoing process and is never done. While the nicest frames last for years and years, there are consumables on every bike that need constant replacement. If you're servicing your bike at CCBB, you can break up service work into several visits and we can always recommend the most essential pieces that are due for an upgrade. Taking care of your bike will make it last longer and feel better for your next and every ride.