Your bike’s been good to you. Whether you’re commuting across the bridge, hammering out hill reps on the weekend, or rolling to your favourite café—your machine takes a beating over time. That’s why an annual bike service is a must.
At Brads Bikes in Neutral Bay, we see it all: worn brake pads, stretched chains, gunked-up drivetrains, and hidden cracks that could end your season early. This checklist will help you stay ahead of the curve, save money long-term, and enjoy a smoother, safer ride.
Why an Annual Service Matters
Just like your car, your bike benefits from regular, professional servicing. Annual servicing:
- Extends the lifespan of components
- Improves performance and ride quality
- Prevents costly breakdowns or crashes
- Identifies wear and tear before it becomes dangerous
- Keeps your warranty valid (for many bikes and components)
Even if you’re riding casually, wear builds up silently. You might not notice shifting getting sloppier or braking power fading—until it’s too late.
Your Annual Bike Service Checklist
We’ve broken this down into what you can inspect at home and what a professional service at Brads Bikes will cover in full.
✅ Frame & Fork Inspection
- Check for cracks, dents, or paint bubbles that might signal fatigue.
- Inspect welds, especially around high-stress zones like the bottom bracket or head tube.
✅ Drivetrain Assessment
- Look for chain stretch using a chain wear tool (or ask us).
- Check cassette and chainring teeth for wear or shark-fin shaping.
- Inspect jockey wheels on rear derailleur—often neglected, but critical.
✅ Brake System Check
- Are your pads worn down? Squealing? Not biting well?
- Check rotor wear if you’re on discs—minimum thickness matters.
- For hydraulic brakes: look for leaks, feel for sponginess, and assess fluid condition (this is where DIY often goes wrong!).
✅ Wheel & Tyre Inspection
- Spin wheels to check for wobbles or rubbing—this could mean truing or tension issues.
- Tyres should be free of sidewall cracks, cuts, and excessive flat-spotting.
- Check sealant levels (tubeless) or tube condition.
✅ Headset, Bottom Bracket & Bearings
- Rock your front brake with the wheel held—does the headset knock?
- Spin cranks—any side play or gritty feeling?
- Bearings should be smooth, quiet, and free from play.
✅ Suspension (MTB or Gravel)
- Check air pressure in forks or shocks.
- Look for oil leaks or stanchion damage.
- Factory servicing intervals usually recommend a lower leg service every 50hrs, full overhaul at 100–200hrs.
✅ Cockpit, Cables & Accessories
- Inspect bar tape/grips, and tighten bolts (especially stem and levers).
- Gear cables should move freely—friction leads to ghost shifting.
- Test lights, mounts, and accessories.
What We Do in Our Pro Annual Service at Brads Bikes
When you bring your bike in, our certified mechanics do the heavy lifting with:
🔧 Full strip-down and clean of drivetrain
🔧 Brake bleed and pad alignment (if required)
🔧 Gear indexing and derailleur limit screw tuning
🔧 Torque checking of critical bolts
🔧 Wheel truing and hub check
🔧 Lubrication with high-grade Finish Line and Morgan Blue products
🔧 Inspection of frame, fork, and safety-critical wear points
🔧 Suspension servicing booked or managed (if needed)
🔧 Honest report and quote before any major work
When Should You Book?
We recommend you book in for your annual service just before your peak season—for Sydney riders, that’s usually late winter or early spring. Got an event or cycling holiday coming up? Even better. We also offer pick-up and drop-off within the area if you’re tight on time.
Final Thoughts: Let Us Help You Ride Better, Longer
A well-maintained bike isn’t just about performance—it’s about safety, peace of mind, and getting the most out of your investment.
