The maintenance you can do yourself vs. what to leave to a professional

The maintenance you can do yourself vs. what to leave to a professional

How do you properly maintain your city bike, gravel bike, or fatbike? Thanks to their relatively simple mechanics, these types of bikes can often be serviced at home. However, specific maintenance tasks still require a trained eye and the intervention of a professional.

Discover how to extend your bike’s lifespan and boost its performance by adopting the proper practices:

  • Do-it-yourself maintenance includes washing, lubricating the chain, and visually checking the cables and tires.

  • Professional servicing: precise adjustments, replacing worn parts, and complete maintenance of the drivetrain and brakes.

Basic bike maintenance you can do yourself

Some tasks don’t require professional assistance. With a few regular and straightforward actions, you can ride safely, extend the lifespan of your bike parts, and avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are the essential tasks to handle at home:

Crucial checks before every ride

Before you head out, a quick safety check is a must:

  • Tires: Check the pressure (indicated on the tire sidewall) and inspect their condition. Worn tread, cracks, or damaged sidewalls are warning signs.

  • Brakes: Test front and rear separately. Levers should react without bottoming out against the handlebars. Check brake pads or discs for wear, as well as the condition of cables or housings.

  • Chain and gears: If the drivetrain feels dry or noisy, wipe off old oil with a cloth and apply a light coat of lubricant.

2 - Regular cleaning

A clean bike rides better and wears less quickly. Schedule a full wash from time to time:

  • Use water, mild soap (non-degreasing), and cloths. Avoid high-pressure sprays that can damage bearings.

  • Clean and lubricate the chain regularly. A degreaser and brush will remove built-up dirt. Then apply a drop of oil to each link.

  • Brush the chainrings and cassette while turning the pedals to clear dust and grime.

3 - Checking bolts and fasteners

A single loose bolt can cause an accident. Get into the habit of checking:

  • The saddle and seatpost,

  • The stem and handlebar alignment,

  • Wheels, cranks, pedals, brake levers, and derailleurs.

Always consult your bike’s manual for the recommended torque to avoid over-tightening.

4 - Repair kit and equipment

To handle your own bike maintenance, keep a few basic tools on hand. A simple repair kit covers most routine tasks and comes in handy during breakdowns:

  • Allen keys, hex wrenches, and a few screwdrivers,

  • Puncture patches,

  • Clean cloths, brushes, soap, degreaser, and lubricant (ideally biodegradable),

  • Spare parts such as inner tubes, chain links, brake pads, and patches.

Also, check your helmet, gloves, and shoes to ensure safe riding. With these simple habits, your bike will stay reliable and ready for everyday commutes or long rides.

Professional expertise: when and why?

Even with good home care, some tasks require a professional mechanic’s know-how. Regular shop visits are essential for keeping your bike safe, reliable, and high-performing.

In Montréal, Moose offers a repair and maintenance workshop.

When to see a professional?

  • Twice a year, if you ride regularly. These visits are key for complete drivetrain cleaning, brake and gear adjustments, and wheel truing.

  • Every other visit, plan for deeper servicing, such as headset adjustments and bottom bracket cleaning.

  • For checking sensitive parts like spokes, derailleurs, cables, or bearing surfaces.

  • For complex repairs, such as precise wheel truing, derailleur alignment, or replacing broken spokes.

  • For hydraulic brake servicing, an annual bleed is recommended for optimal performance.

  • Anytime a repair feels uncertain or beyond your skill set.

The benefits of a professional workshop

When you take your bike to a workshop, you gain:

  • The expertise of skilled mechanics,

  • Time savings thanks to specialized tools,

  • Reliable, often guaranteed repairs,

  • A practical solution for those lacking space, tools, or technical knowledge.

Conclusion

Optimal bike maintenance combines regular at-home checks with periodic professional servicing. These good practices ensure safety, top performance, and a longer lifespan for your bike. Make maintenance part of your routine so you can fully enjoy every ride—whether on trails, in the city, or out in nature.