These two old timers (no offence) are used purely in the spring and summer, so they’d both come out of hibernation not having been seen in a bike shop since 2018! The Giant Bicycles Galaxy Tour was in need of new drivetrain parts (cassette and chain from Shimano-MTB), alongside some Raleigh Bicycles brake pads, cables courtesy of Elvedes Bike Components and bar tape from SRAM road. The Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative City followed suit; SunRace freewheel, Shimano-MTB chain, Raleigh Bicycles pads and Elvedes Bike Components cables. Both now ready to enjoy the (impending) good weather.

A very nice Gary Fisher Hoo koo e koo in for some brake work. Rear hose shortened and new Shimano-MTB Deore brake fitted to the front (after shortening the hose too). The front received a new rotor as well due to contamination of the old component. Seriously good stopping power for the cash.

This b’Twin Rockrider was in decent enough shape, but after an Annual Service, it was in great shape. Just in time for the good weather too.

A real pig of a bottom bracket this week. Either the non-drive side cup was incorrectly threaded, or a drive-side cup was used by mistake. The end result was the same, a worn bottom bracket with a non-drive side cup that refused to be removed. As you can see, a little bit of Heath-Robinson goes a long way, and the offending item finally came free. This left a very sorry, and extremely chewed bottom bracket shell. The Park Tool tapping and facing tool made light work of it though, allowing a new Shimano-MTB square tapered bottom bracket to be fitted. The right tool for the job.

This Giant Bicycles Defy, complete with full Ultegra groupset, was in for a bit of an overhaul. Its annual service was due (after about 3000 hard miles), but it also required a new cassette (from Shimano-Road), replacement chain (thanks KMC Chain Europe B.V.) and a replacement spoke (with the inevitable wheel truing) rounded things off (kerboom-tish!)

Giant Defy