Bike Maintenance Tips To Keep You Spinning All Summer Long

Vinnie Pro Tip 1: Keep Stopping Strong

“It’s pretty important to learn the process of swapping out worn disc brake pads." 

"Fresh brake pads provide maximum stopping power and consistent brake performance. Riding on worn-out pads significantly reduces your braking effectiveness, increasing the risk of crashes. Extremely worn pads can also cause metal-on-metal contact, damaging your expensive rotors and potentially leading to total brake failure. So if you’re planning on riding through technical terrain or tackling gnarly descents, it’s important your brakes are working as they should be.”

When to head to the workshop:

•  If replacing pads doesn't restore braking power

• If you see fluid leaks

• If the lever pulls all the way to the bar even after pumping, or if you're unsure about the bleeding process.

Vinnie Pro Tip 2: Trailside Sealant Saves

“Keep rolling even after a sharp rock tries to stop you. Carry plugs and CO2 – your tubeless lifelines! We sell all these pieces of kit in-store!”

“Discover how to quickly handle small tubeless punctures on the trail using sealant and tire plugs. This will allow you to swiftly seal minor punctures and reinflate your tire, preventing a complete flat and keeping you from needing to walk out of the trail. Ignoring a small puncture will lead to rapid air loss, forcing you to hike out. Riding on a flat tubeless tire can seriously damage your rim, leading to costly repairs or replacement.”

When to head to the workshop: 

• For large tears that plugs can't seal 

• For chronic slow leaks you can't identify

• If you're having trouble seating stubborn tires.

Vinnie Pro Tip 3: Banish Front-End Wobble

“Keep your steering tight and confident on rough descents! Banish that front-end wobble for good.”

“Learn to check for and eliminate headset play (front-end wobble or clunking). A secure headset will help ensure precise steering control, providing a stable feel to your front end, and preventing premature wear of your headset bearings."

When to head to the workshop: 

• If tightening the top cap and stem bolts doesn't remove the play

• If you feel grinding or roughness

• If water/dirt has clearly contaminated the bearings

Vinnie Pro Tip 4: Spongy Levers & When to Bleed

"If your levers feel spongy, it's time to bleed! Don't risk your stopping power on the trail. Learn to assess your hydraulic brake lever feel for sponginess and identify when a bleed is needed. Knowing the signs of healthy brakes allows you to address issues promptly, ensuring maximum stopping power and safety on the trails.”

“If you’re not familiar with the term, spongy brakes, which are caused by air in the system, spongy breaks significantly reduce your stopping power and consistency, making emergency braking less effective and drastically increasing the risk of a crash, especially on steep descents. Ignoring it can also lead to inconsistent brake performance over time.

When to Head to the Workshop: 

• If a simple lever "burp" doesn't help 

• If you frequently need to bleed your brakes

• If you see any fluid leaking from the calipers or levers

• If you're uncomfortable performing a full bleed yourself

Vinnie Pro Tip 5:  Dial Your Fork Sag & Rebound

"Set your sag for optimal travel, then fine-tune rebound for a planted feel and confident descents! Proper fork setup ensures your suspension uses its travel efficiently, absorbs bumps effectively, maintains tire contact, and provides consistent traction and control, especially on technical terrain.”

“Incorrect sag means you're either not getting full shock absorption or are riding too deep in the travel. Incorrect rebound can lead to a "pogo stick" effect (too fast, loss of control) or "packing up" (too slow, harsh ride, loss of traction), making the bike harder to control, increasing fatigue, and potentially leading to crashes or over-stressing internal components.”

When to Head to the Workshop: 

• If you can't achieve proper sag despite adjusting air pressure

• If there's oil leaking from the seals

• If you hear abnormal noises

• If your fork feels consistently harsh or sticky even after adjustment.”

Vinnie Pro Tip 6: Mastering Shock Sag & Rebound

"Balance your sag and rebound to conquer any trail! A well-tuned rear shock keeps your tire glued to the ground and smooths out the ride. Learn to set the correct sag and adjust rebound damping on your rear shock.”

“Optimising the rear suspension's ability to absorb impacts, maintain tire contact with the ground for maximum traction, and provide comfort and control over rugged terrain.”

When to Head to the Workshop:

• If you can't achieve proper sag 

• If the shock is leaking oil

• If it's making squelching or clunking noises

• If it feels consistently "dead" or "harsh" despite adjustments.