Joe is our lead mechanic at Dialed In Cycling. He’s worked on more bikes than he’d like to count, has strong opinions, and agreed to answer some questions about winter maintenance on the condition that we didn’t edit out the parts where he’s right about everything.
What’s the most cursed bike you’ve had come through the shop?
“It’s hard to name just one. It really comes down to how hard someone rides their bike and how little maintenance they put into it. High mileage combined with minimal maintenance is usually a recipe for trouble. We often see bikes come in repeatedly with new issues because the underlying maintenance has been neglected for so long. A $1,500 service bill is normally a harder pill to swallow than a $150–$200 service every few months.”
If a bike could talk, what would the average end-of-season bike say to its owner?
“Have you noticed I’ve been getting worse, or have you just been ignoring me?”
“A lot of maintenance issues are like the slowly boiling frog metaphor. The bike gradually gets worse and the rider adapts without really noticing — until something finally fails. By that point, what could have been a simple service can turn into a much bigger repair bill. That can leave customers frustrated and, in some cases, even turn them off the sport altogether.”
What do people think they can get away with not servicing that they absolutely cannot?
“Suspension is probably the biggest one. People assume they can run their fork and shock indefinitely without servicing them, even when the recommended service intervals are clearly stated. The bike might still feel okay on the trail, but internally things can be very different. Oil degrades, lubrication breaks down, and dirt can cause wear to internal components. Once the suspension has been serviced, the difference can be night and day: better grip, improved small-bump sensitivity, and much better overall handling.”
Brake bleeds — give us the horror story.
“We’ve seen pistons seizing after excessive heat, and rotors being run so far beyond their wear limits that they can fail catastrophically. That’s taking maintenance well past the point of saving money.”
And then there’s something specific to Squamish that Joe wanted to flag:
“A lot of customers here store their bikes vertically for space. This can cause trapped air bubbles to migrate to the lever, causing either no lever bite or reduced performance. A full bleed will resolve these issues.”
What does a neglected cable feel like versus a fresh one?
“A fresh cable should move smoothly and freely. A neglected one feels stiff and resistant, and you might notice that the lever or shifter doesn’t return properly to its resting position. Corrosion inside the cable or outer housing creates friction, making shifting sluggish and controls feel heavy. It’s one of those small maintenance issues that can make a bike feel much worse than it needs to.”
What are you actually looking at when someone wheels a bike in saying that?
“Whenever a bike comes in for a service, we carry out a full assessment rather than just looking at how dirty it is. We’re checking for wear, potential mechanical issues, and anything that might need attention now or in the near future. The aim is to give the customer a realistic picture of their bike’s condition so they can make an informed decision before we start work.”
Translation: he’s looking at everything.
What’s the difference between a bike that comes in for a winter service versus one that shows up in spring after skipping it?
“A bike that comes in for a winter service usually gets a more thorough inspection and can often be turned around more quickly because the workshop is quieter. A bike that hasn’t been serviced may develop issues while sitting over winter or reveal problems when it finally hits the trails again. By then, the workshop is much busier and service waits can stretch to three weeks. Getting ahead of maintenance in winter means less downtime when you actually want to be riding.”
What’s one thing riders do that you wish they’d stop?
“Pressure-washing their bikes, especially this time of year. It’s tempting to blast all the mud off after a wet ride, but high-pressure water can force its way past seals and into bearings and other sensitive components, washing away grease and accelerating wear. A gentle wash with a bucket, brush, and low-pressure water is a much better option. Your bike doesn’t need to look brand new — it just needs to be clean without damaging the parts that keep it running smoothly.”
“If you’re switching into winter riding mode and you’ve ridden your bike all season — especially if you’ve been putting in laps at the bike park — get it assessed before the proper winter weather sets in. Get it sorted now, while the workshop is quieter, rather than discovering something’s wrong when the trails are running perfectly and you’re stuck waiting for a service.”
He said it. We’re not going to add anything.
Full tune-up + brake bleed + cable and housing replacement. $149. Fastest turnaround times of the year, right now.
