We Don't Just Ride The Wheels
Most customers assume that when we say "we've done the service," it means we adjusted the gears and called it done. We understand why: that's what most shops do. We don't work that way.
Every bike that comes through our workshop: whether it's an £80 gear tune or a £300 upgrade service: gets a full 22-point inspection before it leaves. This is how we do it.
The 22 Points
1. Frame inspection: cracks, paint damage, corrosion at cable exits and bottom bracket
2. Fork inspection: visual inspection for deflection, crown check, axle thread
3. Headset: play check, bearing condition, stem clamping
4. Quick-release front: tension, engagement, skewer condition
5. Quick-release rear: tension, engagement, skewer condition
6. Tyre condition: sidewall cracking, UV damage, bulges near bead, inflation
7. Tyre pressure: set to correct PSI for rider weight and use
8. Rim condition: braking surface, alloy fatigue, spoke tension
9. Brake pads: remaining material, contamination check, alignment
10. Brake levers: throw, feel, pad contact point
11. Chain: measured with a ruler, checked for stiff links
12. Cassette: visual wear check, lockring torque
13. Derailleur: pulley condition, B-tension, hanger alignment
14. Gear indexing: barrel screw, limit screws, trim
15. Crankset: bolt torque, chainring tooth condition
16. Bottom bracket: play check, spindle condition
17. Handlebar: clamp torque, bar tape/levers
18. Stem: clamp torque, expander bolt
19. Saddle: rail condition, clamp torque
20. Pedals: axle condition, cleat wear check
21. Bottle cage bolts: all checked
22. Lights/reflectors: fitted and working
Why This Matters
A bike that fails the quick-release check can kill someone. A chain at 1% stretch will destroy a cassette and chainring: £180 in parts you didn't budget for. Contaminated brake pads don't stop you. We do the full check because it's our name on the work. And because we actually care.
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.
What a proper workshop safety check should cover
A safety check is not a quick glance at the tyres. In the stand we are looking for the faults that make a bike unpredictable: loose headset bearings, worn brake pads, glazed rotors, cracked tyres, frayed inner cables, poor gear indexing, seized bolts, damaged bar tape hiding corrosion, play in the bottom bracket, loose crank bolts and wheels that are not properly secured. The point is to find the issue before it turns into a roadside failure.
At Bike Clinique in SW17 we start with the contact points and the control points. Brakes come first because stopping distance matters more than speed. We check pad life, rotor or rim condition, lever feel, cable pull or hydraulic bite point and whether the wheel is sitting correctly in the frame. Then we check steering, tyres, drivetrain, wheels and frame hardware. If the bike is used for commuting, school runs or weekend club rides, we also look for the small wear items that become expensive when ignored.
When a safety check turns into repair work
Sometimes the bike only needs adjustment. Sometimes the check reveals parts that should not be ridden further. We will separate those two clearly. A rubbing brake, dry chain or loose headset is different from a split tyre, failing brake pad or drivetrain that is jumping under load. You should know what is urgent, what can wait, and what is simply advisory.
- Urgent: braking faults, loose steering, damaged tyres, cracked components, unsafe wheel retention.
- Soon: worn chain, noisy bearings, poor shifting, cables beginning to fray.
- Advisory: comfort upgrades, efficiency improvements, cosmetic wear.
If you are unsure whether a bike is safe after storage, a crash, a second-hand purchase or a long winter, book the check before the next big ride. It is cheaper to diagnose early than to replace parts after they have damaged each other.
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.