5 Signs Your Bike is Crying for a Service (Before it Breaks)
We’ve all been there. You’re halfway through a beautiful ride toward Usk or climbing through the lanes near Chepstow, and suddenly—clack. Your chain skips, your steering feels heavy, or that tiny "tick-tick" sound you’ve been ignoring becomes a loud "crunch."
I believe that a well-maintained bike isn’t just faster and more fun to ride—it’s safer. Often, your bike will try to tell you something is wrong long before a part actually snaps.
If your bike is showing any of these five symptoms, it’s crying out for a bit of professional TLC.
1. The "Ghost Shift" (Skipping Gears)
Are you pedalling along when your chain suddenly jumps to a different gear without you touching the shifter? Or perhaps you click to shift, and… nothing happens for three seconds?
This is usually a sign of a worn chain or cassette, cable stretch or a misaligned derailleur. Ignoring it doesn't just ruin your rhythm; it puts uneven wear on your cassette and chain-rings, leading to a much bigger repair bill later. My £30 Gear Tune-up is designed specifically to index those gears back to silky smooth perfection.
2. "Crunchy" or Stiff Steering
When you lift your front wheel and turn the handlebars from side to side, does it feel smooth? Or does it feel notched, "indexed," or like there is sand in the bearings?
If your steering feels "crunchy" or stiff, your headset bearings are likely dry, dirty, or worn. Since the headset is what allows you to navigate corners safely, keeping it greased and adjusted is vital. If it’s feeling wobbly or creaky, it’s time to look at a Headset Service.
3. Squealing Brakes (The "Bus" Sound)
If your bike sounds like a braking bus every time you slow down for a junction, your brakes are trying to tell you something. Squealing can be caused by contaminated pads, glazed rotors or rims, or simple caliper misalignment.
More importantly, if you find yourself pulling the brake levers all the way to the handlebars just to stop, your stopping power is compromised. A quick safety check ensures your pads are healthy and your cables are tensioned correctly.
4. The "Mystery Click"
Modern bikes are echo chambers. A click that sounds like it’s coming from your handlebars might actually be a dry bottom bracket or a loose pedal. If your bike has developed a rhythmic clicking or creaking sound as you pedal, it’s usually a sign that metal is rubbing against metal without enough lubrication. Finding and "curing" these noises early prevents permanent damage to your frame and components.
5. A Grimy, Black Chain
Take a look at your drivetrain. Is the chain a clean silver/grey, or is it coated in a thick, black paste? That "paste" is actually a mix of old oil and road grit—essentially liquid sandpaper. It eats through your expensive chainrings and cassettes remarkably fast.
A thorough Valet and Safety Check involves degreasing that drivetrain and applying the correct lubrication, which can double the lifespan of your parts.
Don’t wait for the "Big Break"
Most mechanical failures on the road are preventable. For just £30, my Gear Tune-up or Valet & Safety Check can catch these issues before they turn into an expensive taxi home.
Whether you’re in Chepstow, Caldicot, Magor, Usk or anywhere across Monmouthshire, I can come to you.
Book your service now and give your bike the cure it deserves!
