Bike Servicing

Keep your ride in top shape

With regular maintenance and servicing, you can keep your bike running as smooth as the day you bought it. Whatever your experience level in cycling is, we would recommend getting your bike serviced by a Giant authorised retailer, as they have all the expertise, knowledge and tools needed to keep you rolling on the road or trails.

Why Service your bike?

Regularly servicing your bike is key to extending the lifespan of the bike and its components, keeping them running smoother for longer and reducing the amount of time they need replacing.

If you continue to ride a bike that’s been through a lot of wear and tear, the knock on effect is that it will damage more of the bike’s components, resulting in a more expensive repair bill. A good example of this is your chain.

If you change your chain before it wears out you probably won’t have to change your cassette and chain-rings however a heavily worn chain will put excessive wear on cassettes and chain-rings and they would almost certainly need to be changed at the same time. Therefore, regular service checks are not only beneficial for your own safety on the bike it’s going to save you money in the long run. A properly maintained bike will effectively be more enjoyable to ride.

Bicycle services will range from retailer to retailer, however below is a general idea of what different retailers would offer with their services.

Basic Service

Can include adjustments to all nuts and bolts so they match the torque specification, the lubrication of drive-train components , checking and adjusting the brakes and gears.

Advanced Service

Can include the wheels checks for alignment and trued if necessary, a wipe down of the frame and fork, drive-train components removed, degreased and lubricated,

Full Service

Can include a basic & standard service plus: full bicycle strip-down, cleaning & greasing all bike parts including the bottom bracket, headset and wheel bearings, inspecting the frame and fork for damage and realigning if necessary, then reassembling the bike to a brand new condition.

Where can you service your bike?

Giant has a huge number of retailers across the UK and Ireland. Use the link below to find your local retailer.

Find your nearest retailer

Basic Safety Check

A basic safety check should be carried out on your bicycle once every 7-14 days, or before any long ride is undertaken. This health check takes into account the major moving parts in an 'M' shape, starting from the front wheel and moving backwards. When tightening any bolts, please refer to the correct torque setting - it will either be highlighted on the component, or in your owner's manual/handbook. We highly recommend using a torque wrench when adjusting any bolts.

Once you've performed the check a few times, you should be able to run over a full bike within 5 minutes and will start to become second nature before taking your bike out for a spin. If you find a problem during your checks, contact your nearest retailer to get booked in for a bike service or repair.

Many retailers will offer this service for free, so if you are unsure about any of the safety check steps, find your nearest Giant retailer and get in touch to arrange your safety check.

Step 1 - Wheels & Hubs

Check it is securely fitted via the quick release skewer or the thru-axle bolt. If the wheel is loose, then ensure it is tightened while the bike is sat on the ground to confirm the wheel is sat correctly in the dropouts. Check the hub is in good condition by rocking the wheel side to side, checking if there is any play or unnatural movement. Then give the wheel a spin - if there's any grinding or the hub isn't spinning freely, then it could be time to replace the bearings.

Step 2- Tyres

Check the tyre pressure is at the correct level using a floor pump. Secondly, perform a visual inspection of the tyre to check for any thorns, cuts, debris etc and consider replacing the tyre if any damage is found. Thirdly, inspect the tyre is seated correctly around the rim - tyre manufacturers usually include a safety line on the tyre, so its quick and easy to perform a visual inspection.

Step 3 - Brakes

While the wheel is spinning from step 1, you can check the brakes are working properly. Give the brake lever a squeeze - if there is excessive force required to get the wheel to stop, or the braking feels spongy, the cable tension may need inspecting. Another thing to check is the wheel runs freely through the brake calipers - listen out for rubbing against the brake pads. If there is, it will need adjusting.

Step 4 - Headset

Check if there is any rocking or clicking in the headset. Perform this check by firmly grasping the head tube with one hand and applying the front brake with the other hand. This will steady the front of the bike so that you can shake the headset to establish any rocking or clicking in the bearings. If there is movement ensure the headset and stem are tight but don’t go too far as you will restrict handlebar movement.

Step 5 - Stem / Bars

Check that your front wheel and stem do not move independently of each other and that your clamp bolts are tight. Also check that the stem is completely in line with your front wheel.

Step 6 - Frame

Check for any damage, cracks or rust to the frame. This check requires focus on the area where the frame connects to the head-tube and around the bottom bracket.

Step 7 - Pedals & Chain

Make sure the pedals are attached securely but move freely. Check the bike chain has been cleaned and make sure you regularly lube your chain with oil, watch out for any signs of chain rust. Check the chain-rings for missing or worn teeth.

Step 8 - Saddle

Check that the saddle is secure on the seat post, does the seat-post move when applying pressure? Is your saddle aligned to the correct height? Make sure that you haven’t exceeded the max torque limit.

Giant's Lifetime Warranty

Despite your best efforts of maintaining and looking after your bike, things can occasionally go wrong. That's why at Giant, we offer a lifetime warranty on bikes manufactured from 2012 onwards, giving you added peace of mind that if the unthinkable does happen, we've got you covered.

For more information on Giant’s warranty policies please check out our warranty page.

Learn More

FAQ's

Am I entitled to a free bike service?

A free first service is not offered as standard when purchasing through click and collect. Some retailers may offer this, however it is purely on a store by store basis. If a free first service is important, please check with the store directly about their servicing policy before completing a purchase. Use our retailer finder page above to get the store’s contact details.

How much does a bike service cost?

The cost of a bike service can vary, depending on how much work needs doing to your bicycle. Stores generally have a tiered approach, with a standard service covering the basic functions, up to a full strip down service where every part of the bike is checked, cleaned and adjusted. The main cost from a service comes from the labour charge, so work that requires more of the mechanics time will cost more. At Giant, we only work with independent bike retailers. This means that each one has their own service pricing policy, therefore it's difficult to put an exact figure on it. Some stores also run promotions and offers at various times, so it’s always worth speaking with your local bike retailer before booking your bike in.

How often does a bike need servicing?

It is recommended that you should take your bike in for a service check roughly around 3 months of owning the bike, just to see if there are any manufacturing defects. After this period it is recommended that you take your bike in for a minor service check every 12 months. However this does depend on how much you use the bike. If you’re riding your bike frequently you may not want to wait a year, especially mountain bikes that go through more wear and tear on downhill tracks.

I don’t require a full service, can I just get one part of my bike looked at?

Yes - If your bike has a specific issue, then the retailer will be able to focus on that particular part instead of undertaking a full service. Please speak to your local retailer and they will be able to advise further.

I haven’t got a Giant bike, can your retailers still service my bike?

Yes, the majority of our retailers can service any bikes, including non-Giant products. If you contact your local retailer, they can provide more information about servicing your particular bike brand.

How can I maintain my bike at home?

Bike maintenance at home is equally as important as getting it serviced each year. Make sure to clean your bike regularly with soapy water, wipe the bike chain using a rag to remove any excess dirt. Make sure that your chain is well lubricated, however do not overuse the lubricant, you do not want to attract any more dirt to the chain. Finally we advise performing the basic safety check above before each journey, focusing on the tyres, brakes and the chain in particular. Beyond this, how much of the maintenance you do yourself will come down to your experience, your confidence and also what tools you have available. Replacing certain parts for example a cassette or a bottom bracket need specialist tools and in these cases along with a few others it’s worth getting your local retailer to complete the work.

How long does a bicycle service usually take?

For the more basic bicycle servicing, it should only take a short amount of time. However, if your bike needs more advanced repairs, your bike may be kept for numerous days as the mechanics may need to use specialist tools on the bike repairs, making it more time consuming.