# Journal

> Practical mountain bike advice from Schist Cycle Works in Queenstown, New Zealand: pre-season checks, local trail wear and suspension service intervals.

# Notes from the workshop

Practical advice from Schist Cycle Works for riders on Queenstown's trails: what to check, what wears out, and when it is time to book a service.

Everything here comes from the same place as our servicing work: bikes on the stand, ridden hard on local dirt. Read an article, work through the checks at home, and bring your bike in when the job needs a workshop.

Queenstown, New Zealand

![Empty singletrack through tussock and schist above Queenstown](/unvop/examples/queenstown-bike-workshop/10-trail.webp)

## Latest articles

![A mountain bike up on the workstand in the workshop, ready for its pre-season service](/unvop/examples/queenstown-bike-workshop/06-workstand.webp)

<h3><a href="/journal/pre-season-service-checklist">A pre-season service checklist for riding Queenstown's trails</a></h3><p>A checklist you can work through before the season starts, from tyres and brakes to suspension and bolts, and the signs that mean your bike needs more than a home check.</p><p><a href="/journal/pre-season-service-checklist">Read the checklist</a></p>

![Cassette and chain close up, grit from the trail still on the teeth](/unvop/examples/queenstown-bike-workshop/08-drivetrain.webp)

<h3><a href="/journal/schist-dust-and-wet-descents">How schist dust and wet descents wear your drivetrain and brakes, and when to service them</a></h3><p>Fine dust in summer and grit on wet descents grind away at chains, cassettes, rotors and pads. Here is how that wear shows up, and what to listen and feel for on the trail.</p><p><a href="/journal/schist-dust-and-wet-descents">Read about local wear</a></p>

![A suspension fork stripped down on the bench for a service](/unvop/examples/queenstown-bike-workshop/04-design-workshop-bike.webp)

<h3><a href="/journal/suspension-service-intervals">How often to service suspension forks and shocks when you ride most weekends</a></h3><p>Weekend riding adds up. How to read your fork and shock for signs of tired seals and oil, why the maker's guidance is the place to start, and when a suspension service makes sense.</p><p><a href="/journal/suspension-service-intervals">Read the suspension guide</a></p>

## When a check turns into a job

Some things are worth doing yourself. Others, like bleeding brakes, servicing suspension or replacing worn bearings, are better done on a workshop stand with the right tools. Schist Cycle Works does mountain bike repair and mountain bike servicing for local and visiting riders.

Transparent pricing: you see the price before you book.

[See all services](/services) [See our prices](/pricing)

![Snow-capped peaks above a winding lake near Queenstown at dusk](/unvop/examples/queenstown-bike-workshop/11-ridgeline.webp)

## Book your service

Book your service online.

Choose a service, pick a date and tell us about your bike.

[Book a service](/book) [Have a question first? Contact the workshop](/contact)

Schist Cycle Works, Queenstown, New Zealand

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Source: https://schist.unvop.dev/journal