Two Weeks Before: The Checklist That Actually Matters
You've got a big ride in two weeks. Sportive, fondos, race, or a multi-day tour. The last thing you want is a mechanical failure on the day: especially when it was preventable. Here's what to check and what to book, two weeks before your event.
Book An Advance Service: Do It Now
If your bike hasn't been serviced in the last 4-6 weeks, book an Advance Service now. Two weeks is enough time for us to service it and for you to test it before the event. What we're checking: everything in the 22-point inspection. Chain measured. Brakes tested under load. Gears indexed. Quick-releases checked. Tyres checked for UV damage and inflation. Bolts checked.
The Chain Check: Non-Negotiable
If your chain is at 0.5% stretch or more, replace it before the event. A stretched chain on a long ride will skip on the cassette at the worst moment: and by then you've already damaged the cassette, which will also skip. Chain replacement is 30-50 pounds. A skipped chain on a fast descent is a different conversation.
Tyre Assessment
Look at your tyres: both sidewalls and the running surface. If you can see any cracking, UV degradation, or the tread is below 2mm, replace them. Tyre failures on rides are almost always due to UV damage or prolonged underinflation, not punctures. Two weeks before the event is the right time to put fresh tyres on if you're not sure about the current ones.
The Test Ride
After the service, do a 30-minute test ride at your event pace: not a recovery ride. Use this to verify: brakes feel sharp, gears shift cleanly at race effort, no unusual noises, tyre pressure is correct for the event conditions. If anything feels wrong, bring it back before the event.
Day Before The Event
Tyre pressure check, quick-release check, chain lube check. Don't do anything new: no new components, no new lubes, no experimenting. Just confirm everything is as it was after the service.
Ready to get your bike sorted?
Book online or call us on 07951 125 843. Based in Putney and Wimbledon, South West London.
Book a Service →Bike Clinique workshop approach
Before recommending parts, we inspect the bike and explain the practical options. That means checking what is worn, what is compatible, what is safe to keep and what will actually improve the ride. Riders in Wimbledon, SW17 and South West London bring us road, gravel, MTB, commuter and e-bike work because they want diagnosis before spending money. The aim is a bike that rides properly, not a parts list for the sake of it.
Why two weeks matters
The worst time to discover a worn cassette, seized bolt or cracked tyre is the day before an event. Two weeks gives enough time to inspect the bike, order parts if needed, complete the work and let you test ride it. A pre-event service is not about changing everything. It is about removing avoidable failure points while leaving enough time to bed in pads, check shifting and confirm the setup feels normal.
For sportives, charity rides, gravel events and long club rides, we focus on reliability: brakes, tyres, drivetrain, wheels, bearings and contact points. Comfort matters too. A slipping seatpost, old bar tape or poor tyre pressure can ruin a long ride even if the bike is technically safe.
Pre-event checklist
- Check chain, cassette and chainrings for wear.
- Inspect brake pads, rotors/rims and lever feel.
- Check tyres for cuts and confirm pressure range.
- Check wheels for true, spoke tension and bearing play.
- Test gears under load, not just in the stand.
- Carry tubes, plugs, pump/CO2 and a small tool.
At Bike Clinique we prefer to finish event work with enough time for a shakedown ride. If anything settles, rubs or needs adjustment, it can be sorted before the event rather than at the start line.
Bike Clinique workshop approach
Before recommending parts, we inspect the bike and explain the practical options. That means checking what is worn, what is compatible, what is safe to keep and what will actually improve the ride. Riders in Wimbledon, SW17 and South West London bring us road, gravel, MTB, commuter and e-bike work because they want diagnosis before spending money. The aim is a bike that rides properly, not a parts list for the sake of it.
We also separate urgent safety work from performance upgrades. Brakes, steering, tyres, wheel security and structural faults come first. Drivetrain wear, bearings, cables and setup come next. Only after that do we talk about upgrades. This keeps the recommendation honest and makes the finished bike more reliable on real roads.
If you are comparing options, bring the bike in or send clear photos of the drivetrain, brakes and the problem area. We can then advise whether the sensible route is adjustment, service parts, a deeper rebuild or a properly planned upgrade.