Every rider knows the obvious issues — a puncture, a broken chain, a brake that won’t bite. But some of the most disruptive problems are the ones you can’t see.

A small knock against a kerb, a pothole hit you shake off, or squeezing into packed cycle parking — all of these can cause subtle damage that only becomes noticeable when it turns into a much bigger problem.

Think of this as the quiet wear that creeps in over time. Ignoring it doesn’t end well. But catching it early? That keeps your bike running smoothly and safely, without surprise repair bills or ruined commutes.

Not every issue announces itself loudly. Often, the signs are small:

• A new creak when you pedal

• A slight vibration at speed

• Brakes rubbing occasionally

• Gears hesitating for a moment

Easy to overlook — until something suddenly gives up at the worst possible moment.

Small impacts can:

• Loosen bearings

• Knock components out of alignment

• Create micro-movement in key connection points

• Start wear patterns that escalate quickly

This is why even the “it's probably nothing” knocks matter.

Headset

A knock to the front wheel can throw your headset off.
Look out for:

• Clicking when steering

• A dull knock under braking

• Steering that suddenly feels “floaty”

It’s not dramatic at first — but left alone, it affects control and confidence fast.

Bottom Bracket

If your pedals start talking back to you, don’t ignore it.

Check for:

• Creaks with each pedal stroke

• A gritty feeling when pedalling

• Side-to-side play in the cranks

A bottom bracket rarely fails suddenly — it simply wears until you can’t ignore it anymore. Getting to it early is cheaper and easier.

Wheel Trueness

Wheels take the brunt of urban riding. Even a mild impact can throw them off.

Signs include:

• Brake rub only at one point in the wheel spin

• A subtle wobble you can see or feel

• The bike pulling slightly to one side

A true wheel feels stable, calm and fast. An untrue one doesn’t — and wears out other parts while it wobbles.

Even experienced riders don’t catch everything. Some issues are only obvious once the bike’s in a stand and inspected properly.

At Fettle, a trained mechanic will check for:

• Bearing play

• Wheel alignment and spoke tension

• Brake positioning and pad wear

• Drivetrain condition and chain stretch

• Frame and component alignment

No mystery, no stress — just clarity and confidence about what’s happening with your bike.

We tell you what needs doing, what doesn’t, and what’s worth keeping an eye on. No confusion. No lecture. Zero faff.

A few good habits go a long way:

• Don’t ignore new noises or changes in feel

• Check wheels after hard impacts

• Keep your drivetrain clean and lubricated

• Get a professional check after a fall or knock

A bike shouldn’t rattle, groan or feel unpredictable. If it does, it's asking for attention.

If something feels off — or you’ve taken a few hits from potholes, tight bike racks and city riding — pop into your nearest Fettle.

We’ll give your bike a proper once-over, spot problems before they grow, and get everything running the way it should. Smooth. Quiet. Reliable.

Book your service today.

Extraordinary service, zero faff.