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Straight answers on keeping your bike or e-bike safe and running right, from the mechanic who comes to you. Can't fix it yourself? That's what we're for.

Safety Tips

Before you ride

Check both brakes. Squeeze each lever and make sure the bike stops without excessive lever travel.
Spin each wheel and check for wobble, rubbing, or looseness at the axle.
Check tire pressure. Underinflated tires are the #1 cause of pinch flats and sluggish handling.
Make sure your quick-release levers or thru-axles are fully closed and tight.

On the road

Wear a helmet, every ride, no exceptions.
Use front and rear lights at dawn, dusk, night, or in low visibility, even during the day, a flashing rear light makes you dramatically easier to spot.
Ride with traffic, obey the same signals and signs as cars, and signal your turns.
Assume drivers don't see you. Make eye contact at intersections when you can.
Keep one hand near the brakes at all times in traffic or on descents.

For e-bike riders

Know your bike's top assisted speed and throttle behavior before riding in traffic.
E-bikes are heavier and accelerate faster than standard bikes. Give yourself more stopping distance.
Check local e-bike class laws (Class 1/2/3) if you're riding on bike paths or trails; not all classes are allowed everywhere in San Diego County.

Kids and family riders

Helmets should be snug, level, and buckled, not tipped back.
Size the bike to the rider; a bike that's too big is harder to control and stop.

Basic Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

Regular five-minute checks between professional tune-ups go a long way.

Tires

Check pressure at least every two weeks. Tires lose air even when not ridden. The recommended PSI range is printed on the tire sidewall.
Look for cuts, embedded debris, or worn tread before long rides.

Chain

Wipe the chain down and apply bike-specific lube every 100–150 miles or whenever it looks dry or starts squeaking.
Wipe off excess lube, a dripping chain just attracts more dirt.
A chain that skips or slips under pedaling pressure is often stretched (worn) and due for replacement. Ignoring it accelerates wear on your cassette and chainrings.

Brakes

Squeeze each brake lever. It shouldn't pull back to the handlebar grip. If it does, your brakes need adjustment or your pads are worn.
Inspect pads: if the grooves are worn flat or the pad is under 1mm thick, it's time to replace them.
Squealing that doesn't go away with cleaning usually means glazed or contaminated pads.

The quick “M-check”

Before any ride, run your eyes over the bike front to back in an “M” shape: front wheel/tire → fork/brake → frame/headset → pedals/cranks/chain → seat/seatpost → rear wheel/tire → rear brake. Anything loose, cracked, or worn stands out fast this way.

General care

Store your bike out of direct sun and rain when possible. UV and moisture are hard on tires, cables, and finishes.
A quick rinse (never a pressure washer aimed at bearings) and dry-off after wet or muddy rides prevents corrosion.

E-Bike Battery & Motor Care

E-bikes need a bit of extra attention, mostly around the battery.

Charging

Always use the charger that came with your bike (or a manufacturer-approved replacement). Third-party chargers are a common cause of battery damage and fire risk.
Charge in a dry, ventilated space, away from anything flammable, and avoid leaving a battery charging unattended overnight.
You don't need to run the battery to 0% before charging. Partial charges are fine and often better for long-term battery health.

Storage

If you're not riding for an extended period, store the battery around 40–60% charge, not full and not empty.
Keep batteries at moderate room temperature. Avoid a hot car, garage, or direct sun. Heat is the fastest way to degrade a lithium battery.

Riding and handling

Avoid submerging the battery or motor. Most e-bikes handle rain fine, but they're not built for high-pressure water or full submersion.
If you get an error code or the assist cuts out unexpectedly, don't keep riding hard on it. Power down, restart, and if it persists, get it checked before your next ride.
Know your bike's weight limit (rider + cargo). Exceeding it stresses the motor, brakes, and frame.

When to Call a Pro

Some things are fine to handle yourself. These aren't:

Get it looked at

Grinding, clicking, or knocking noises from the bottom bracket, headset, or wheels, usually a bearing or component issue that gets worse (and more expensive) if ridden on.
Brakes that don't stop you confidently, or a lever that pulls to the bar.
Chain skipping or dropping under load, especially on an e-bike where torque is higher.
E-bike error codes, battery not holding charge, or motor cutting out.
Any crash damage to the frame, fork, or wheels, even minor-looking dents or cracks can be structural on aluminum or carbon.
Wheel wobble or spoke issues. These need proper truing tools, not guess-and-check at home.

Call or Text

From the Garage

Class 1, 2, or 3? What Your E-Bike Class Actually Means in San Diego County

Your bike's class decides where you're legally allowed to ride it.

Why Your E-Bike Battery Is Dying Faster Than It Should

Almost every time, it comes down to one of three things.

The 5-Minute Pre-Ride Check That Prevents Most Roadside Breakdowns

Most breakdown calls trace back to something visible before the ride started.

Read the blog

Community Updates

Now Serving More of North County

We've expanded our coverage area. If you're in a neighborhood that wasn't on our service map six months ago, there's a good chance it is now. Check the service area page or just reach out with your ZIP code and we'll confirm.

4,000+ Repairs Completed at Houses

We hit a milestone we're genuinely proud of: over 4,000 on-site repairs completed at customers' homes since we started in 2019, without a single shop drop-off required. Thanks to everyone who's trusted us with their bikes (and their driveways).

Free Basic Safety Checks at Local Events

We pop up at community rides, farmers markets, and bike-to-school events doing free 5-minute safety checks. Brakes, tires, and a quick once-over. No appointment needed, just roll up. Dates and locations posted here as they're confirmed.

How E-Bike Safe Are You?

16 quick questions. Takes about 3 minutes. No email required to see your results.