Maintenance Isn’t Done on a Whim—It’s Done on a Schedule
Just like your teeth need regular visits to the dentist, your bike needs regular maintenance. Below is a complete maintenance schedule, from before every ride to the annual full service, to keep your bike in top condition at all times.
Before Every Ride (2 Minutes)
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Check tire pressure | Squeeze by hand or confirm with a pump gauge |
| Visually check brakes | Squeeze the brake levers a few times to confirm they work |
| Quick chain check | Look for obvious stiffness or foreign objects |
| Spin the wheels | Check for obvious wobble or unusual noise |
Don’t skip this step! Spending 2 minutes can prevent serious mechanical failures during your ride.
Weekly or Every 200 km
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Lubricate the chain | Apply oil/wax to each link |
| Wipe down the frame | Use a damp cloth to remove dust and sweat stains |
| Check quick releases/ thru-axles | Confirm they are tightened |
| Check for stiff chain links | Turn the cranks to see if there are any tight links |
Monthly or Every 500 km
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Deep clean the drivetrain | Clean the chain, cassette, chainrings, and jockey wheels |
| Check brake pads/ brake shoes | Check if wear indicators are still within the safe range |
| Check bolt torque | Stem, seatpost, handlebars, bottle cages |
| Inspect tires | Check for cuts, embedded debris, and wear |
| Check spoke tension | Squeeze adjacent spokes to compare |
| Fine-tune shifting | Turn the barrel adjuster if there’s noise |
Every Three Months
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Remove, clean, and grease the seatpost | Prevent the seatpost from seizing |
| Check chain wear | Measure with a chain wear indicator |
| Check tubeless sealant | Shake the wheels and listen for liquid |
| Clean cleats | Clean the cleats on the bottom of your cycling shoes |
Every Six Months
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Check hubs/ headset/ BB | Check for play and smooth rotation |
| Check cassette and chainring wear | Visually check if the teeth have become pointed (shark teeth) |
| Check wheel trueness | Confirm with brake pads or a truing stand |
| Inspect frame and fork | Carefully look for any cracks |
| Check cables and housing | Check for cracks or crushing |
Annually or Every 5,000 km
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Full bearing service | Disassemble, clean, and grease hubs, headset, and BB |
| Replace brake and shift cables | Replace housing together with cables |
| Replace the chain | If not already replaced |
| Replace brake pads/ brake shoes | If not already replaced |
| Replace handlebar tape | At least once a year |
| Bleed hydraulic disc brakes | Replace with new brake fluid |
| Replace tubeless sealant | Old fluid has dried out |
| Professional full service | Recommended to have a complete check done at a bike shop |
Every 10,000 km
| Item | Method |
|---|---|
| Replace cassette | Usually at the end of the 2nd-3rd chain’s lifespan |
| Inspect chainrings | Replace if heavily worn |
| Replace tires | When wear indicators are gone or there are multiple cuts |
| Full bike component inspection | Replace everything that needs replacing |
Additional Maintenance for Special Situations
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| After riding in the rain | Dry the frame, re-lubricate the chain, check the brakes |
| After a crash | Full bike inspection, especially frame, fork, and wheels |
| Before a long-distance ride | Complete the six-month maintenance checklist |
| Before a race | Full bike check + new chain/new bar tape |
| End of the rainy season | Full bearing check, drivetrain cleaning |
| End of typhoon season | Same as above, plus cable and housing inspection |
Maintenance Records
It’s recommended to use a notes app on your phone or Excel to record the content and date of each maintenance. This way, you can track the mileage of each component and replace parts before problems occur.
| Record Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Chain replacement | 2026/3/1, 4,500 km |
| Brake shoe replacement | 2026/2/15 |
| Hub service | 2026/1/10, 5,000 km |
| Cable set replacement | 2025/12/20 |
Final Advice
If the maintenance checklist above makes you think, “Wow, that’s a lot to do,” remember two key points:
- The 2-minute check before every ride is the most important—it can prevent most mid-ride failures
- Have a full service done at a bike shop at least once a year—professional mechanics will find problems you can’t see yourself
Maintenance isn’t a waste of time; it’s an investment that keeps every ride safe, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Related Reading
- Bicycle Maintenance Calendar: What to Maintain Every Ride, Month, and Year
- Annual Full Service Checklist: 15 Essential Bicycle Maintenance Items to Do Every Year
- Road Bike Annual Maintenance Checklist: Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly Maintenance Items
- Bicycle Repair and Maintenance Annual Plan: A Complete SOP for Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Maintenance
相關影片
訂閱CT的頻道 碟煞公路車 銑面器 !? 原來銑完差這麼多! 降低蹭碟機率! | TIME 公路車 保養小記錄 | CT Yeh
3 年前
2025 自行車錶排行榜 兩萬車友大數據 / Garmin Bryton 排名會大洗牌嗎？ / 全新的碼表前身分析 /公路車 / CT Yeh
1 年前
#公路車 #Fitting 靠人工智慧APP 幫你調整單車
6 年前
單車賞雪 裝備準備及注意事項分享 | 公路車
5 年前
高雄綠園道鐵路自行車道 / 外地人能輕鬆駕馭 還是整路崩潰？ / 2025 全線開通 春節實地探索一次！(附GPS連結）/ 公路車 / CT Yeh
1 年前
2026 車錶排行榜！誰是最多車友正在使用？練家子最愛哪款？🏆 (2萬名車友數據) / 公路車 / CT Yeh
5 個月前
洗單車神器 吹水機! 實際洗車用用看 暴力洗鍊條大法 | 公路車 | CT Yeh
4 年前
2022 前十五大自行車錶 !? 兩萬名車友大數據統計 | 你的上榜了嗎? | 菁英車友都用哪些錶? | Bryton Garmin 誰能拔得頭籌？| 車錶推薦 | 公路車 CT Yeh
4 年前