Category Archives: Chain

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

Apollo and Dynatech

His’n’hers bikes in for some long overdue TLC. This seems to be a recurring theme; a son or daughter begins to enjoy cycling, so Mum and Dad see the opportunity of some quality family time together. The only problem is their bikes are almost unrideable. The Apollo was suffering from chronic material fatigue; both tyres and all four brake pads had suffered perishing having been left for so long. So, thanks to Raleigh Bikes new puncture resistant tyres were fitted along with some decent pads. The Dynatech needed much the same; new front tyre (thanks Schwalbe), new pads (again, from Raleigh), a new front mech (Shimano) and new chain (KMC, take a bow). Both bikes are now fit for purpose and won’t let their owners down.

Apollo CX1.0

Apollo CX1.0

Dynatech

Dynatech

BMC and Specialized

To finish off, we have a BMC Street Racer that, due to injury, had been laid up for a while. Perished tyres, a rusted chain and general neglect were soon forgotten after it received an Annual Service, new Continental Gatorskin tyres (as you can see, these are currently flying out the door!) and a KMC Chain Europe B.V. chain. Now in tip-top condition, the @Shimano 105 groupset can really do its things once more. A slight change of pace, and this Specialized Bicycles Crosstrail had mis-firing gears. Some adjustment to both the high and low stops, along with the cable tension, and crisp consistent gear changes were the result.