Category Archives: Cassette

Phoenix from the flames

What do you call a pair of phoenix? I don’t know either, but these two have just arisen from the flames. The Specialized Bicycles Dolce was in a sorry state. Worn chain, cassette, brake pads and cables that just didn’t work well enough. Shimano-Road came to the rescue with a new cassette, KMC Chain did the biz and Raleigh Bicycles took care of the pads. The cabling, as always, was replaced with Fibrax Limited‘s finest. Everything works as it should once more. The Whyte Bikes Kings Cross had lain dormant in a damp shed for a couple of years so was feeling pretty sorry for itself. A new Shimano-Road Sora front mech, new cables from Fibrax Limited, a new KMC Chain, SRAM road bar tape and an FSA bottom bracket were fitted tout-suite. It’ll now resume commuting duties though the winter (bless it).

Cube Agree

Next up, some major surgery required to this CUBE Bikes Agree. New Shimano-Road PressFit bottom bracket, KMC Chain chain, Shimano-Road cassette, @SRAM bar tape and a super-sticky Continental Tyres Gatorskin. Its owner was umming and ahhing about whether or not to have the work undertaken…I think it was worth it.

Carrera Virtuoso

On to a Carrera that had problems stopping, and a little problem going as well. Having replaced the Shimano-Road cassette, a KMC Chain chain, Shimano-Road bottom bracket, Fibrax Limited brake pads (super sticky) and a new rear brake cable (again, courtesy of Fibrax Limited), it now goes (and more importantly) stops when it should. Really liking the groovy SRAM road bar tape too. It’s BLUE!

Carrera Virtuoso

Carrera Virtuoso

Cannondale Quick

A quick catch-up on what’s been through the doors in between the snow last week. First up, a Cannondale Quick that had been a little starved of attention. New Shimano-Road cassette, KMC-Bicycle Chain & Accessories chain, a replacement Schwalbe tires Land Cruiser (a 5 on Schwalbe’s puncture resistance scale), replacement MAGURA brake pads front and rear, Shimano-MTB bottom bracket cups, middle and large Shimano-MTB chain rings and all wrapped up with an Annual Service. Phew! I’m not expecting to see this one again anytime soon!

Cannondale Quick CX

Cannondale Quick CX

Merida Matts 20

Next up a Merida Matts 20 that had received a decent cleaning regime, but unfortunately, time had caught up with it. A new Raleigh Bicycles rear wheel, Shimano cassette, KMC chain, Shimano bottom bracket and cabling from the guys at Fibrax Limited means this bike can now tackle the worst the canal tow path can throw at it.

Merida Matts

Specialized Hardrock

Another bike that has seen lots of use, but perhaps not as much care as it warranted. This Specialized Bicycles Hardrock was treated to a new KMC Chain Europe B.V. chain, new SRAM MTB cassette, brake pads from Raleigh Bicycles and a bottom bracket from Shimano-MTB. This was all rounded off with an Annual Service and as a result is good to go.

Specialized Hardrock

Specialized Hardrock

A couple of Carreras

Next up, a couple of Carreras (could that be a collective noun?) The Crixus CX bike needed a fair bit of work enjoying an Annual Service, some new cables courtesy of Fibrax Limited and brake pads from Raleigh Bicycles. The Zelos had been suffering from repetitive puncture syndrome…it’s a thing. Honestly. Anyway, it’s now rolling around on brand new Continental Gatorskin tyres wrapped round SLIME inner tubes. Belt-and-braces-tastic. It’ll take one seriously determined thorn to upset this set up.

Bianchi and Specialized

Wee catch up time. I do like a bit of Italian style, and this Bianchi Nirone 7 delivers in spades. Full Campagnolo Srl groupset, including wheels weren’t the problem. A graunchy headset was. Full strip down, bearings cleaned, degreased and re-lubed and everything put back together again. The steering is now much improved, and less of a struggle too! The Specialized Bicycles Ariel needed some tweakery round its gears and brakes. The A relatively new purchase, but having missed its free 6 week service, it needed some adjustments to ensure it felt factory fresh once more.