A pre-season service checklist for riding Queenstown's trails
A practical list to work through at home before the season, and a clear line on what to hand to the workshop.
Journal
A pre-season service checklist for riding Queenstown's trails
A practical list to work through at home before the season, and a clear line on what to hand to the workshop.
Bikes that sat through the off-season rarely come out of the shed the way they went in. Sealant dries out, brake pads glaze, chains pick up rust and seals stiffen. None of it shows until the first steep descent, which is the worst place to find out.
Queenstown's trails ask a lot of a bike: long climbs, steep and loose descents, and weather that can change quickly. A check before the season catches small problems while they are still small, and tells you whether your bike needs a tidy-up at home or a proper service.
Work through the list below with the bike on a stand or leaning against a wall. You need a pump, a clean rag and good light. Anything you are unsure about, write it down. It becomes the note on your booking.
The checklist
Tyres and sealant
- Check the tread on both tyres, especially the edges of the front, where your cornering grip comes from.
- Look for cuts, bulges and torn sidewalls.
- Shake each wheel and listen. If you cannot hear sealant moving, it has likely dried and needs a top-up or a fresh fill.
- Pump to your usual pressure and check again the next morning. A slow leak points to the valve, the rim tape or a dried bead.
Brakes
- Pull each lever. It should bite firmly at the same point every time, without creeping towards the bar.
- Look at the pads through the caliper. Thin, glazed or contaminated pads need replacing.
- Spin each wheel and watch for a bent rotor or rubbing.
- A spongy lever usually means air in the system, and a bleed is due.
Drivetrain
- Run through every gear on the stand. Shifts should be clean in both directions.
- Check the chain for rust, stiff links and stretch. A chain checker tool tells you quickly.
- Look at the cassette and chainring teeth for hooked or shark-fin shapes.
- Look at the derailleur from behind to check the hanger is straight.
- Clean and lube the chain, then wipe off the excess.
Suspension
- Wipe the fork stanchions and shock body clean, then look for scratches, oil rings or dirt building up at the seals.
- Check air pressure and sag against your usual setting. Air can leak out over the off-season.
- Compress the fork and shock slowly and feel for notchiness, knocking or a dead spot in the travel.
- Make sure the rebound and lockout dials turn and click as they should.
Bearings and pivots
- Hold the front brake and rock the bike to feel for play in the headset.
- Grab each wheel at the top and push it side to side. A knock points to the hub bearings.
- Lift the rear wheel and push it sideways to check for play at the frame pivots.
- Spin the cranks backwards and feel for roughness in the bottom bracket.
- Listen on a quiet ride. Creaks and clicks often start here.
Dropper post
- Cycle the post up and down. It should return fully and smoothly, without hesitating.
- Sit on it at full height. It should not sink.
- Check the remote lever and its cable or hose for slack or damage.
- Wipe the post clean and feel for side-to-side play.
Keep a list as you go. Anything that failed a check goes in the “Tell us about your bike” box on the booking ticket.
When to book a service
Some of that list is home work: tyre pressures, a chain clean, a sealant top-up, a wipe of the seals. The rest needs tools, parts and time on the stand. Leave these to the workshop:
- A brake bleed, or pads you are not confident changing
- Suspension service, inside the fork and shock
- Bearing replacement and pivot servicing
- Worn drivetrain parts and gear tuning
- A dropper post that sinks, sticks or will not return
- Tubeless setup from scratch
Book before the season, not after the first ride shows you what is wrong. Booking ahead means you choose the date that suits you, and your bike is ready when you are.
Mountain bike servicing at our workshop in Queenstown, New Zealand starts with a price you can see. Transparent pricing: you see the price before you book.
Book your service online. Choose a service, pick a date and tell us about your bike, including anything from your checklist.
Queenstown, New Zealand