We chat with THOMAS PARTOUNE, the founder of Bike Hero, about starting his mobile bicycle repair shop and bike servicing business that comes to your home. He also shares tricks for extending the life of your wheels – and what every bicycle owner should know about bike maintenance.
When it comes to bike maintenance, what should cyclists do before every ride?
#1 Tyre pressure checks. Squeeze your tyres before your ride to check if they’re properly inflated. If they feel spongy, inflate them to the recommended pressure listed on your tyre sidewall. In general, we recommend inflating your tyres every two to three weeks.
#2 Inspect your brakes. Nobody likes a squeaky break! So it’s a good habit to have a look at your brake pads for wear and test your brake levers for firmness regularly. When pressing the lever, it should feel firm. If it feels loose or spongy, contact a professional or call Bike Hero.
#3 Lubricate the chain. Put a bike chain and Singapore’s humidity together and you have a recipe for rust! Once a month or if the chain is dry, all you need to do is apply a small amount of bike-specific lubricant.
#4 Overall Inspection. Take a quick visual check for any unusual sounds, punctures in the tyres, rust, dirt and grime build up around your gears. It’s also good to see if the bottom bracket, headset and pedals have become loose.
What about after every ride?
#1 Clean the bike. If possible, wipe down and remove dirt and grime, especially from the chain and gears. We know it is challenging to do it after each ride, but try at least once a month. Your bike will be grateful for it!
#2 Store it properly. Keep your bike in a secure, dry place to prevent rust and damage.
How often should you book in bike servicing?
If you’re a casual cyclist, only once or twice a year. A regular rider should book in every three to four months and if you’re always on your bike, every month or two.
We also recommend you carry essential tools like a multitool kit that can be found in a bicycle repair shop for on-the-go repairs. And if you’re unsure how to address the issue with your bike, visit a professional or contact Bike Hero for expert assistance.
Why is it important to go with professional bike servicing?
A bike service involves checking that your brakes, tyres and steering are functioning properly and that the bike is running smoothly. This means you’ll have a safe riding experience with a well performing bike.
While you may be wondering if it’s worth spending the money, these regular professional services will actually help you in the long run. For starters, all your bike’s components will have an extended life, saving you money on repairs. Plus minor issues will be prevented from becoming big expensive problems – and when it comes to resale, your bike will have a higher value.
What services do you offer?
Bike Hero offers mobile bike servicing, repair and maintenance that comes to your home. This includes basic and comprehensive packages, parts replacement, performance upgrades and bike customisation and all of this at your doorstep.
We want to make the experience of bike servicing easy and enjoyable for each cyclist. So our support team will be informative and helpful throughout the whole process.
Our Bike Heroes are passionate and knowledgeable; they offer quality bike servicing but also always share tips and recommendations. They have a customer-centric approach and want to empower cyclists with maintenance knowledge.
What does an experience with your bicycle repair shop look like?
After booking an appointment through our website or via WhatsApp, you’ll receive a WhatsApp confirmation. A Bike Hero will arrive at your premises with all their tools and parts before doing an inspection, consultation and any repairs or maintenance required. During this process feel free to ask questions and learn about bike maintenance.
Once they’ve finished, simply pay the itemised bill using PayNow. The Bike Hero will keep a record of your service and feedback requests.
How did Bike Hero start?
I was managing cycling sales and aftersales in Southeast Asia for a well-known sport retailer and I noticed there were many pain points in the after-sales process like transporting bikes, long wait times and pricing uncertainties for bike maintenance, repairs and services.
To address these issues, we tested the concept and started offering services to friends at their premises, which quickly expanded through word of mouth. Since 2021, we’ve grown into a team of 40 passionate mechanics servicing bikes all over Singapore.
What are some of the team’s favourite bike trails in Singapore?
#1 Pulau Ubin. Rustic, adventurous rides with off-road and paved trails – ideal for mountain bikers and nature enthusiasts.
#2 Punggol Waterway Park. Scenic well-maintained paths with beautiful waterfront views, part of the North Eastern Riverine Loop.
#3 Mandai Loop. A challenging route with rolling hills and scenic beauty, passing landmarks like the Singapore Zoo and Upper Seletar Reservoir is a great spot for road cyclists.
Book a service at your doorstep through their bicycle repair shop and find out more at bikehero.sg.
Liked this article on bike maintenance and tips from a bicycle repair shop in Singapore? Check out our guide to mountain biking trails and other tips in our Fitness section.
