At Dropbar Bike Repair in Watford, we know your bike isn’t just a machine – it’s your training partner, your Sunday escape, your way of commuting, or your connection to adventure. Whether you’re riding a carbon road bike, a full-suspension mountain bike, or a reliable hybrid, a regular bike service keeps your ride smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

With over a decade of experience working on high-end bikes, we treat every bike with care, skill, and the kind of attention to detail only a family-run workshop can offer.

We offer two services, our platinum service The Full Jonny, and our Standard Service. But you can also trust that if we look at your  bike and there are only a few small fixes needed, we'll only do those. Unlike a lot of other bike repair shops, if you don't need a service, we won't charge you for one.

What is a bike service?

A bike service is a thorough check-over and tune-up of your bike to keep it running at its best. That means inspecting all moving parts, tightening bolts, cleaning key components, lubricating where needed, and replacing worn-out parts before they let you down mid-ride.

It's preventive care that keeps everything rolling like new. By ensuring regular servicing, you can reduce your repair costs, and make sure your bike is running safely and comfortably.

So many people put off getting a service, assuming it will be expensive. But in the longterm it saves you money. Think of it like getting a check up at the dentist - the longer you put it off, the more things are going to need fixing. A regular service can help us identify any problems or niggles before they become a real issue.

When do I need a bike service?

How often you need a bike service depends on how much you ride, what kind of bike and in what conditions. It also may depend on your riding style and location.

As a rough guide:

• Every 3-6 months for regular riders

• Before and after winter if you’re a seasonal cyclist

• Before a big event or long trip

• If something doesn’t feel right – squeaks, rattles, skipping gears, or spongy brakes

You know your bike best and when it’s performing well - trust your gut when it comes to your bike.

Bike servicing for road bikes

With road cyclists, we often notice that the first signs of needing a service include:

Slipping gears, slipping under load, gritty or rough-feeling wheels (hub and free hub bearings), creaking sounds from your feet (bottom bracket issues), brake levers that pull back too far, or don’t feel sharp.

A road bike is a finely tuned instrument with precise perimeters, you’ll know when it doesn’t feel right because it’s designed for speed. If in doubt, give us a call.

Bike servicing for mountain bikes

There are a couple of key differences with mountain bikes:

When suspension feels spongy, and doesn’t rebound as quickly as it could, which suggests a suspension service is needed. The most frequent issue is mud covering the bike and especially affecting the bearings. The dried mud will suck moisture out of bearing points and make items rust quicker. A good reminder to keep your bike clean! But we can always check this and ensure lubrication!

If you’ve been out on the trails, a bike park or it’s just completely caked in mud, bring it in for a check!

Bike servicing for hybrid bikes

Hybrids have a high rate of wear and tear because they’re great commuter bikes - keep an eye on your brake, chain and cassette for wear and tear and if something starts to feel a bit off, it’s time for a service. Consider how often you use your bike, and think of your car - you get regular yearly MOTs with a car, why would your workhouse bike be any different?

Why get a bike service?

Regular bike servicing does more than just prevent breakdowns – it protects your investment. A high-end bike is a finely tuned piece of equipment, and staying on top of wear and tear can extend its life and keep you safer.

A service by an expert mechanic will ensure your any niggles, noises or discomfort are adjusted and solved before becoming bigger problems, saving you money in the long run.

We also set it up as a really personal experience, so we'll ask you how and where you ride, how comfortable you are, any issues or noises you've noticed and what you want out of your bike.

That also means we can make recommendations for your comfort and goals - whether that's switching out tyres for smoother ride, or changing your handlebars for a different alignment. So if you want to get KOMs or just want a more comfortable ride to the pub, we can help!

Plus, on the most basic level, a well-serviced bike just feels better to ride.

What does a bike service include?

At Dropbar, our bike services are tailored to the type of riding you do and the condition of your bike.

In our Full Jonny (platinum) Service, we offer a hub service, headset service, bottom bracket service, wheel truing, tubeless sealant replacement and a brake bleed if necessary. And then we'll give it a great clean and get it gleaming!

If you've had it checked recently, or your bike doesn't have as many bells and whistles, you might just need our Standard Service or our simpler check Bike MOT.

Hub Service

Your hubs are what keep your wheels spinning.

Over time, the bearings inside can wear or dry out. We strip them down, clean them, check for damage, and re-grease or replace as needed for smooth rolling.

Headset Service

The headset allows your handlebars to turn freely. If it feels notchy or stiff, it might be time for a service. We’ll inspect the bearings, clean or replace them, and ensure proper preload so your steering stays precise.

Bottom Bracket Service

The bottom bracket is the part that connects your cranks to your frame and allows them to spin. Creaking or play here is a sign it needs attention. We’ll remove the crankset, inspect or replace the bearings, and make sure it’s torqued up right.

Wheel Truing

Wobbly wheels? We’ll get them straight again. Using a truing stand, we tension and align your spokes to remove side-to-side and up-and-down wobbles. This helps prevent brake rub and improves ride quality.

Tubeless Sealant Replacement

If you run tubeless tyres (great choice!), you’ll need to refresh the sealant every few months. We’ll remove the old sealant, check for dried residue, and top it up with fresh fluid so you stay protected against punctures.

Brake Bleed

If your hydraulic brakes feel spongy or inconsistent, they may have air in the system. A full brake bleed removes air bubbles and replaces old fluid, giving you sharp, reliable braking power again.

How much does bike servicing cost?

Every bike is different, and we’ll always give you an honest quote before starting work.

As a rough guide:

Bike MOT - £35

Standard Service – from £80

Premium 'Full Jonny' Service – from £120

Individual jobs like brake bleeds or bottom bracket services can also be done separately. Just book in on our booking system or give us a ring – we’re always happy to talk through what you need.

We only believe in doing what your bike needs - if your bicycle is in good condition and doesn't require a full service, we won't recommend it. Our goal is to make regular upkeep of your bike affordable and simple, and offer advice you can trust.

Can I service my bike myself?

We always recommend getting comfortable with your bike and how it works. Getting into the habit of doing regular M checks before you go out will ensure you need reduced servicing and you know when something is getting worn out or feels odd.

If you'd like to know how to do your own service on your bike, we do run small group maintenance workshops where we run through a full service on your bike and show you how to do it yourself. You'll know what to look for, how to check it and how to fix it. Look for our latest workshops on Eventbrite.

We also share a lot of our advice for our at home mechanics on our Dropbar Youtube Channel.

If you've had an attempt at home but want to make sure everything's set up correctly, or you've discovered something a bit off, just book in for our Bike MOT - it's a quick check to identify any issues and is great for double-checking your work, or confirming a bike build is safe.

What bikes can I get serviced?

We specialise in road bikes, mountain bikes (MTBs), and hybrids – especially high-performance and premium models. But we're also not snobs! Whatever kind of bike you've got, we're happy to look at it.

It's just worth being aware that bikes that have been left unloved and rusting for a long time in the shed are often hard to get back to their original glory! Sometimes parts are no longer made for that model, or sometimes it's just held together by rust! We'll always have a look, but please try to bear in mind that a long-ignored bike is often an unsalvageable one.

We do not currently service e-bikes as we are not insured and do not have the software or diagnostics. If you have a problem with the mechanical part of your e-bike, we may be able to help, but we will ask you to remove the battery as we will not keep the battery onsite.

Please note: we do not work on e-bike conversions at all.

Do I really need a bike service?

Maybe, maybe not. But you can trust we won't try and sell you one if you don't need one.

If your bike is well looked after and in good condition, it may just need a few tweaks. It may be that a check reveals a problem and we've got the solution. But we absolutely won't service all areas of your bike if it's clear that you don't need them - that's a waste of our time and your money!

We would rather get your bike back to you in prime condition, with everything you need working perfectly, and it shiny and clean, ready to get back to riding.

However, if you've put your bike through a hard time with a big ride, race or holiday, maybe a little TLC with a service is necessary, and will see you through until the next big event!

You are always welcome to book in for a service on our website, and when we assess it on arrival, we can tell you if you'll need a Standard Service, Full Jonny Platinum Service, or simply a Bike MOT and a few specific fixes.

Whether you're looking for an expert bike service in Watford, a bike service near you, or just some friendly advice on keeping your ride in shape, Dropbar Bike Repair has got your back. Book your bike service today, or just pop in for a chat – we love talking bikes.