As a general guide, most bikes benefit from a full workshop service once a year, or every 3,000 to 5,000 km if you ride often. Between services, a few quick checks keep a bike safe and smooth: tyre pressure and brakes before every ride, regular chain cleaning and lubrication, and a chain wear check every 1,000 km or so. The right rhythm for your bike depends on how you ride, its components and the manufacturers' recommendations.
This guide sets out a simple, indicative maintenance rhythm for road, Gravel, All-Road, urban and electric bikes, with the points where manufacturer guidance should take precedence.
Indicative intervals for regular riding in dry conditions. Rain, dust, salt air and high mileage shorten them, and your components' manufacturers may recommend different intervals.
How often should a bike be serviced?
A bike ridden regularly generally benefits from a full professional service once a year, and a lighter safety check halfway through the season if it covers more than a few thousand kilometres. Mileage matters more than the calendar: a bike that rides 8,000 km a year wears its chain, pads and tyres far faster than one that comes out on weekends.
A starting point to adapt to your riding, not a fixed rule.
The best time for the annual service is just before your main riding season or a long trip, not after it. Worn parts are replaced before they let you down, and the bike is set up for the riding ahead.
Maintenance intervals by component
Each part of a bike wears at its own pace, so a good maintenance routine follows components rather than a single date. The table below gives indicative intervals for a road, Gravel or All-Road bike.
Intervals vary with components, conditions and riding style. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance for your parts.
The chain sets the pace
The chain is the part that most influences the cost of maintaining a bike. A chain replaced on time protects the cassette and chainrings; a chain left too long wears them out with it, turning a simple replacement into a full drivetrain change.
There is no single replacement threshold for every drivetrain. Each manufacturer sets its own wear limit and the tool to measure it: SRAM, for example, recommends replacing its chains at 0.8 % wear, measured with a compatible SRAM wear indicator. Use a tool designed for your drivetrain and follow its maker's instructions; readings from different tools are not directly comparable.
How quickly a chain reaches its limit depends on conditions, riding and care, so measuring regularly is more reliable than counting kilometres. A clean, well-lubricated chain lasts noticeably longer than a dirty one.
Hydraulic brakes
Hydraulic disc brakes need their fluid refreshed from time to time, and the interval depends on the system. SRAM recommends bleeding its DOT brakes at least once a year, more often with heavy use. Other brands set their own guidance according to the fluid and design, so check the manual for your brakes. Whatever the system, a soft, spongy or inconsistent lever is a sign to have the brakes checked without waiting.
Tyres and sealant
Tyres should be checked before every ride and replaced when the tread is flattened, the casing shows cuts, or punctures become frequent. Tubeless sealant dries out over time, faster in heat, so it needs checking and topping up every few months even if the bike is rarely ridden.
Tyre pressure depends on tyre width, rider weight and terrain. Our guide to choosing tyre width for a Gravel or All-Road bike explains how width and comfort relate.
The quick check before every ride
A pre-ride check takes about one minute and catches most problems before they become dangerous. It needs no tools, only attention.
- TyresPress each tyre firmly with your thumb or use a gauge. Look for cuts or embedded glass.
- BrakesSqueeze both levers. They should feel firm and stop well before touching the handlebar.
- WheelsCheck that thru-axles or quick releases are closed and the wheels spin without rubbing.
- DrivetrainTurn the pedals backwards. The chain should run quietly and look clean, not black and gritty.
- BatteryOn an electric bike, check the charge level against the ride you have planned.
Electric bikes: what changes
An electric bike follows the same maintenance rhythm as a conventional bike, with two differences: chains, pads and tyres tend to wear faster because of the extra torque and weight, and the battery and motor system need specific care. The manual supplied with your bike and its drive system is the reference.
- WearCheck the chain and brake pads more often than on a non-electric bike, especially with frequent climbing.
- PartsWhen replacing parts, use chains and components rated for e-bike use.
- BatteryFollow the storage advice of the system's manufacturer. As a rule, avoid leaving the battery fully charged or fully empty for long periods, and keep it away from extreme heat and cold.
- SoftwareHave the drive system checked during the annual service, and ask whether software updates are available for it.
- CleaningDo not use a pressure washer, especially around the motor, battery and connectors.
For electric road bikes such as the Stajvelo Mirabeau, follow the battery and motor guidance supplied with the bike, and have it checked if the assistance behaves differently from usual.
Riding by the sea: coastal care
Salt air and sea spray accelerate corrosion on chains, bolts, cables and bearings, so bikes ridden on the coast benefit from more frequent cleaning and lubrication. On the Riviera, a bike can be exposed to salt even on a dry, sunny day.
- RinseAfter rides along the sea or in spray, rinse the bike gently with fresh water, without high pressure.
- DryDry the chain and metal parts, then lubricate the chain once it is clean and dry.
- StoreKeep the bike indoors or covered, away from direct sea air when possible.
- InspectLook for orange marks on bolts and chain links. They are an early sign that care is needed.
The same applies to fleets used by hotels and residences on the coast. Our guide to building and running a hotel bike fleet covers maintenance at fleet scale.
Signs your bike needs a service now
Some symptoms mean a bike should go to the workshop without waiting for its scheduled service. Most are easy to notice if you listen to the bike.
- Soft brakesThe lever travels further than usual or feels spongy.
- NoiseSquealing brakes, clicking when pedalling or creaking under effort.
- ShiftingGears skip, hesitate or do not settle.
- SteeringA knock at the front when braking, or steering that feels notchy.
- WheelsA visible wobble, or a wheel that rubs the brake.
- After a fallAny crash, even minor, deserves a check of the frame, handlebar and brakes.
Before a long ride or a trip
Before a long-distance ride or a cycling trip, have the bike serviced one to two weeks in advance. That leaves time to replace worn parts and ride a few kilometres to confirm that everything is settled.
Fresh tyres, a new chain if it is close to its limit, new brake pads and topped-up sealant are the usual priorities. The story of a 1,430 km self-supported gravel crossing on a Rocchetta shows how much a well-prepared bike matters over several days.
Servicing your bike in Monaco
Stajvelo is a premium bicycle brand based in Monaco. Its workshop in Fontvieille services road, Gravel, All-Road, urban and electric bikes of all brands. Two service levels cover most needs.
Stajvelo workshop
Two service levels
- Safety Package: brake and gear adjustment, safety bolt and headset check, drivetrain lubrication, hub tightening, wheel truing on the bike and tyre pressure.
- Full Service: everything in the Safety Package, plus complete drivetrain removal and cleaning, bottom bracket greasing, chain lubrication, wheel truing on a truing stand, brake pad replacement (parts not included) and bike cleaning.
As a rule of thumb, the Safety Package suits a mid-season visit, and the Full Service an annual service or the weeks before a major trip. Stajvelo owners will also find model-specific advice in our road and Gravel ownership guide.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a road bike be serviced?
As a general guide, a road bike ridden regularly benefits from a full service once a year, or every 3,000 to 5,000 km. Riders covering more than about 6,000 km a year may need two full services, or one full service and a mid-season safety check. Manufacturer recommendations for specific components come first.
How often should I clean and lubricate my bike chain?
In dry conditions, cleaning and lubricating a bike chain every 150 to 300 km is a good rhythm, along with after every wet or dusty ride. Near the sea, more frequent cleaning helps prevent corrosion.
When should a bike chain be replaced?
Replace a bike chain when it reaches the wear limit set by its manufacturer, measured with a suitable tool. SRAM, for example, recommends replacement at 0.8 % wear with a compatible SRAM wear indicator; other brands publish their own limits. Replacing the chain on time protects the cassette and chainrings.
Does an electric bike need more maintenance?
An electric bike follows the same schedule as a conventional bike, but its chain, brake pads and tyres usually wear faster because of the extra torque and weight. The battery and drive system should also be checked during the annual service, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Should I service my bike before a long trip?
Yes. Have the bike serviced one to two weeks before a long ride or trip, so worn parts such as tyres, chain or brake pads can be replaced and tested on a few short rides before you leave.
Keep your bike at its best
The Stajvelo workshop in Fontvieille services road, Gravel, All-Road, urban and electric bikes of all brands, from the Safety Package to the Full Service.
- AddressLe Triton (Block C, 5th floor), 5 rue du Gabian, Fontvieille, 98000 Monaco
- HoursMonday to Friday, 9:00 to 19:00
- BrandsAll brands, road to electric