b’Twin Rockrider

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.

When bottom brackets go bad

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.

Raleigh Monterey

New boots for this Raleigh Bicycles Monterey. Schwalbe tires Range Cruisers offer excellent puncture protection and offer a good balance between tarmac and light off-road use.

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 […]

Specialized Sirrus and Genesis Day One

Finally, a Specialized Bicycles Sirrus Comp that was in need of some TLC, and a Genesis Bikes Day One with a busted spoke. The Spesh had maybe been left a little longer than strictly wise as it needed a service, accompanied by a headset service and a new FULL SPEED AHEAD bottom bracket. The Genesis on the other hand broke a spoke on its back wheel (equipped with Shimano-MTB Alfine 8 speed hub). So, new spoke fitted, and the wheel trued up meant its owner could use it again.

Raleigh Blue Streak

The next bike is a wee bit special, having particular sentimental value to its owner. However, sentiment only stretches so far, and it was clear that the tyres (dangerously perished) and mudguards (in tatters) needed replacing. Trying to keep as close to the original feel of the bike as possible, this Raleigh Bicycles Blue Streak benefitted from some of Raleigh Bicycles‘s own mudguards (snazzy silver numbers) whilst Schwalbe tires took care of the boots. I think it looks pretty spiffy, and so does its owner.

Cannondale CAADX and Trek Domane S5

Next up a Cannondale CAADX with an annoying squeak, and a Trek Bicycle Domane which needed its first service. The Cannondale had developed a squeak when pedalling, so off came the pedals, followed by the chainset. Having checked the PressFit’s bottom bracket bearings were sound, it was a case of greasing everything up, re-building it and applying the correct torque to the components. Hey presto! Silent cycling. The Trek is primarily used for club runs, so gear changes have to be crisp. The rear mech had received an impact, bending the hanger. Off came the mech, on went the Park Tool Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge, and after a bit of […]

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.

Brake Central

Right, now that the summer holidays are done and dusted (at least for those of us with kids), it’s back to work with a vengeance. Last week was brake week. Three bikes, three sets of new hydraulic brakes. Can’t recommend these Shimano-MTB stoppers enough; straightforward to shorten (measure twice, cut once) and decent modulation for the money. What’s not to like?

Cinelli Experience

Finally, there’s a CINELLI Experience that was having issues with its gears. Having assessed the rear derailleur, which had a few battle scars, it was clear the gear hanger had probably taken a knock or two. Out with Park Tool‘s brilliant Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge (they have to come up with something snappier than that!) which quickly confirmed the hanger was mis-aligned meaning gear changes were patchy at best. The tool allows you to ‘persuade’ the hanger, which is a relatively malleable alloy, back in to line. Once that was achieved, the derailleur was re-fitted, the gears re-indexed, and fingers crossed, that should be that.