Bike Service: How to Get Your Bike Ready For Summer

Your bike might seem like a simple vehicle, but if you take a closer look, there are a lot of moving parts that work together. Those parts need maintenance to keep you safe and give you a consistently good riding experience.

Here’s what we recommend doing to service your bike as warmer weather sets in.

Pre-Summer Bike Service & Maintenance

Every cyclist should get a professional tune up done by a bike mechanic once in a while. If you ride frequently, we recommend getting it done twice a year, maybe just before summer and just before winter. If you haven’t ridden in a while, it’s a good idea to get a tune up before you start riding again.

Your bike mechanic should inspect and service delicate bike components like the spokes, bearing surfaces, derailleurs, and cables. A mechanic has the tools and know-how to clean these components without damaging your bike and keep them in alignment.

Before Each Ride

Before you start each ride, you should inspect your bike for potential safety issues. It only takes a few seconds. If you find out something is off, you’ll be glad you caught it before you hit the road or trail.

All you need to do is:

• Check that your tires are fully inflated.

• Test your brakes to make sure they’re working well.

• Roll the bike a little while walking beside it to check that the chain runs smoothly.

Most of the time, your bike will be fine and you won’t need to do anything further. Once in a while, you might find that the tire pressure is low (i.e., the tire feels squishy). If it is, you can use a hand pump or a gas station’s air compressor to fill it up to the PSI listed on the side of the tire. 

If your brakes or chain aren’t running smoothly, that’s a more serious problem that could cause you to slip between gears, have a harder time pedaling, experience a bumpy ride, or fail to stop in time. You will need to take your bike to a mechanic.

Monthly Bike Maintenance

Bikes need a little cleaning and lubrication on a regular basis, particularly if you head out onto muddy trails or ride multiple times a week. For frequent cyclists, we recommend doing this type of maintenance monthly:

• Secure the bolts on your bike. You can use a wrench to test the bolts on connected parts like the seat, seat post, stem, chain ring, handlebar, and any accessories mounted to your bike.

• Clean the chain and cassette cogs. Use clean rags and a degreaser to wipe these components.

• Lubricate key components. The chain, front chain rings, levers, brake pivot points, brake and gear cables, and pedals all need lube. Use a dedicated bike chain lube (not WD-40) and apply it with a brush. It’s easier to do most of this with a bike stand where you can turn the pedals and remove the wheels if necessary.

• Wipe down the frame. Bike wash cleaner is ideal, but you can also use diluted dish soap on non-moving bike parts like the handlebars, seat, and grips. Don’t use dish soap on the more sensitive parts of your bike — it removes lubricants and can potentially damage your bearings.

If you’re not confident in your ability to do this kind of maintenance yourself or just don’t want to, you can ask a bike mechanic for help. At Tygart Mountain Sports, our Checkover service should cover your monthly maintenance needs.

Other Bike Tips

Your bike will last longer and need less expensive maintenance if you take care of it well. Follow these tips to keep your bike in good condition.

• Avoid storing your bike outside. Rain and other weather can cause parts to wear faster.

• Get the right level of service based on your riding habits. You will need bike service more often if you ride in the rain or off-road, commute by bike, or do long-distance rides. If you only ride in paved areas on sunny days, you can go longer without doing maintenance.

• Don't use WD-40 on your chain. WD-40 is a solvent and water dispersant, not a real lubricant. It’s too thin and will evaporate too quickly to protect your bike well. We recommend only using bike chain lube on your chain and other bike components.

• Get professional service if you’re not sure what your bike has been through. If you buy a used bike or your bike has been through a crash, bring it in for a checkup.

In Summary: Your Bike Service Checklist

Twice a Year	Monthly	Before Every Ride
Get professional maintenance from a bike mechanic.	Secure all bolts. Clean the cassette cogs and chain. Lubricate the chain, front chain rings, levers, and other moving parts that may rub against other parts with bike chain lube.	Check the tires. Check the brakes. Check the chains.

Bike Service at Tygart Mountain Sports

At Tygart Mountain Sports, we offer three levels of professional bike repair services:

• Checkover: $59. This casual service covers your monthly maintenance needs if you don’t have the confidence or equipment to do it yourself. It includes checking the tire pressure, tire wear, brake alignment, brake pad/shoe, brake surface, brake lever pull, cable tension, lube chain, drivetrain, seat, bar, and grip, plus wiping down the frame.

• Tune Up: $89. This service meets many riders’ twice-a-year maintenance needs. It includes everything from the Checkover service, plus checking the wheel, headset, hub, bottom bracket, and chain stretch. We also remove and clean your bike components, including the drivetrain.

• Overhaul: $159. This service is designed for bikes that have seen significant wear and tear. We do everything from the Tune Up service plus replacing the cable, cable housing, tubes, and tire sealant if needed.

• Additional services. We also offer a variety of à la carte services for when you need replacements or adjustments for specific parts:

• Tube Replacement: $20 + cost of tube

• Tire Replacement: $20 + cost of tire

• Brake Adjustment: $55/hr for labor ($20 minimum)

• Derailleur Adjustment: $55/hr for labor ($25 minimum)

• Hub Work: $55/hr for labor ($25 minimum)

• Wheel Truing: $55/hr for labor ($25 minimum)

• Spoke Replacement: $25 for the first spoke plus $5 for each additional spoke

• Headset/BB work: $55/hr for labor ($25 minimum) + cost of materials

• Tubeless Conversion (non-tubeless-ready wheels and tires): $75 per bike

• Tubeless Setup (tubeless-ready wheels and tires): $40 + materials

• Dropper Seat Post Install: $55/hr for labor ($40 minimum)

• Fork Rebuild: $85 minimum (price dependent on manufacturer and model)

• Shock Rebuild: $60 minimum (price dependent on manufacturer and model)

In addition to bike service, our shop sells a variety of weather-appropriate outdoor sports apparel, ski and snowboarding gear, and boat rentals. We also organize a community-oriented group bike ride every Tuesday evening in the spring through fall. Adults of all ability levels are welcome, and we usually end with a beer at Killarney.

Bring your bike to Tygart Mountain Sports for maintenance and repair services today.

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