Whether you’re commuting daily through London or clocking up weekend miles on your favourite cycle path, your bike takes a lot of wear and tear. But how do you know when it’s time to book in for a service? At NipNip, we’re passionate about keeping bikes in peak condition, as well as catching issues before they become pricey problems. Here are five tell-tale signs you’re overdue for bicycle repair and servicing.

1. Your Gears Are Slipping or Grinding

If your bike feels jumpy when changing gears, or you hear a nasty grinding noise, it’s a big red flag. Gears should shift smoothly with minimal noise – anything less could point to worn cogs, a stretched chain or cable tension problems. Left too long, this can wear down your drivetrain components, making your ride inefficient and your wallet lighter.

Our expert bike mechanics at NipNip will fine-tune your gears, check your chain and cassette, and get you shifting smoothly again.

2. You’re Braking… Slowly

Spongy or unresponsive brakes are a major safety hazard. If you’re having to squeeze the levers all the way back or you’re not stopping as quickly as you used to, you could have worn brake pads, frayed cables or even contamination on your rotors.

Our bicycle repair and servicing packages include full brake inspections and replacements where needed – giving you confidence when it counts.

3. You’ve Got a Noisy Ride

Creaks, clicks, clunks… If your bike is starting to sound like a haunted house, it’s time for a check-up. Noises often mean something’s loose, worn or in need of lubrication – common culprits include your bottom bracket, headset or pedals.

We’ll track down the source of the noise, tighten what needs tightening, and grease what needs greasing. Silence is golden, after all.

4. Tyres and Tubes Are Looking Tired

Check your tyres – are they looking cracked or bald? Constant punctures? Your rubber might be past its prime. Worn-out tyres not only reduce grip, but they’re more likely to fail mid-ride.

At NipNip, we’ll inspect your tyres for wear, replace them if needed and ensure your inner tubes are holding pressure properly.

5. It’s Been a While (Or You Can’t Remember Your Last Service)

If you can’t remember the last time your bike was serviced, that’s probably all the sign you need. Like any vehicle, regular maintenance keeps it running safely and smoothly. As a rule of thumb, we recommend a service every 6–12 months, depending on how much you ride.

Our London-based mobile bike repair team makes it easy – we come to you, at home or work, with flexible booking and same-day service available.

Time to Book In?

Don’t wait for a breakdown to get your bike looked at. NipNip’s professional bike mechanics are trusted across London for fast, friendly, and reliable bicycle repair and servicing. Whether you need a basic tune-up or a full overhaul, we’ve got a service to suit you – and we’ll even come to you. Book your service now and get back to riding with confidence.