Tuesday 24 December 2013

Top Tips for Winter Riding



10 top tips for winter-proofing your bike.  Now that winter is finally here I'm seeing a few bike that are suffering from the current weather.

Courtesy of road.cc here are their 10 Top Tips for riding through the winter

 


If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk

Saturday 5 October 2013

Christmas Bikes - Bike in-a-box Assembly and Be-spoke Bike Builds

Many people will be buying a bike for someone for Xmas.  Avoid the disappointment of a box of bit on the big day by having it professionally assembled.



Prices start from £30.00 for a bike in a box to £120.00 for a bike built from parts to your specification.  All bikes will be built to British Standards BS 6102: Part 1: 1992

 
Bespoke bikes also include first service and delivery in the Vale free.

If you've got any questions about having a bike built to your specification then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959, by email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk. or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form.



Thursday 3 October 2013

Xmas Bike and Accessories Deals

In the lead up to Xmas VCS is offering some great bikes from the Raleigh stable

How's this -
i
f you're looking for a great value first time road bike try this DBR Sprint.

Designed by Raleigh, this bike is an ideal introduction to riding with STI gears, runs on 700 x 28mm tyres with mountings to allow the fitting of carrier and mudguards making it suitable for anything from commuting to light touring.



  • Gearset: SHIMANO 2300 16 speed STI gear set and levers with Shimano 50/34T chainset and 12-25T cassette
  • Brakeset: Alloy Caliper brakes and levers
  • Wheelset: Deep section alloy rims with QR front hub and 28mm tyres
  • Controls: Alloy oversize drop bar on an alloy aheadset stem finished with black tape
  • Finishing Kit: DBR road saddle, alloy micro adjust seat post, alloy pedals with toe clips
  • Frame: AL6061 aluminium compact frame with mudguard clearance
  • Forks: Steel racing fork with mudguard clearance and eyes
Available in 47 or 55cm frames - these bikes will be built to British Standards BS 6102: Part 1: 1992 prior to delivery with the first service and delivery in the Vale free. All this for £320. 

 If you see a bike, parts and accessories that take your fancy from the cyclelife.com or Raleigh web sites please do not hesitate to get in touch.  Where possible we will match or better the on-line price and remember if it's a bike then you know it's been assembled by a City & Guilds qualified cycle technician with full back-up and FREE 6 week check-up.

If you've got any questions about bicycle builds please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk.

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Winter Bike Maintenance

So the Summers over and you're had a great time out and about on your bike.

For some it's time to pack the bike away over the winter months, for others Autumn and Winter doesn't change their riding habits.  Whatever you're going to do it worth getting you bike ready for the darker months so it emerges the other side in top condition for Spring.  Winter cycling needs no introduction. It’s chilly and can be demotivating. To keep riding through our British winter a few simple tweaks to your bike will make things easier for you and for your bike.

Winter Mudguards

Mudguards for your winter bike setup
Mudguards not only prevent murky water from getting you soaked, they also prevent water from spraying into the face of whoever is unlucky enough to be riding behind you.
For mudguards you generally have two options. The first is the classic mountain bike mudguards you often see. They are cheap, easy to fit on almost any bike and they do the job.
There’s also mudguards that look similar to the ones in the picture above. They provide superior waterproofing but won’t fit all bicycle types. I recommended the SKS Bluemels Mudguards if you have the mountings on the bike, alternatively If you don’t have the proper attachments on your frame then the intelligently designed Crud RoadRacer is a great alternative.


You can easily ride out the winter without mudguards but your bike won’t thank you for it. All that murky water that is flicked up from the road often contains mud and petrol residue. Not an ideal combination for your chain, derailleur and brakes.

Winter Tyres

Schwalbe durano winter cycling tyres

If you are riding with thin tyres for speed (23mm or less) then you may wish to consider something a little wider (25mm and above). This will provide a smoother ride and better grip. Also, look for tyres with additional puncture protection. This will help you avoid standing by the side of the road repairing a puncture in the rain.


Bike lights


Essential for the winter, even in the daytime, there are some great light sets available for all budgets.  VCS carries a small range of light sets

Lubrication


During winter you need to step-up your cleaning and lubricating routine as it is washed away by rain and there’s more danger of rust. Remember to not go overboard as dirt will stick to the lube you apply and cause damage to your bike.


Maintenance

This is not the time of the year to skimp on bicycle maintenance.  Water, road grime and road salt will devastate your bike if it's not ready, however if your bike is prepared and in good condition then there's no reason not to continue riding.


If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk

Wednesday 14 August 2013

VCS Special Offer -2013 Raleigh SP Comp Tiaga - £975 !!

If you looking for a great carbon road bike then this a fantastic deal 

RRP £1250 - VCS Price  £975

The Raleigh SP Comp is built upon a lightweight monocoque carbon (uni-directional) frame that is stiff, light and strong. Kitted out with Shimano's Tiagra components, the SP Comp delivers reliable performance allround.
Monocoque frame construction provides the best balance of performance and cost with a frame weight of just 1050g.
Uni-directional Toray high modulus carbon fibre delivers a frame that is stiff, light and strong.
Oversized BB and chain stays combined with flared and flattened seat stays maximise power transfer.
Raleigh C4 full carbon monocoque fork weighs 450g, reduces flex and twisting for more control in tight situations.
  • Frame Material: Carbon 
  • Sizes : 54cm & 56cm
  • Fork Material: Carbon
  • Model Year: 2013
  • Brakes :  Tektro R312 with cartridge pads
  • Groupset : Shimano Tiagra 10 speed shifting levers, front and rear derailleur, FSA Omega ST 50/34t chainset, crank lengths 50cm - 170mm, 52/54/56cm - 172.5mm, 58cm -175mm, Shimano CS4600 12-30t, KMC X10 chain
  • Wheels: Raleigh AC 2.0 wheels, Schwalbe Lugano 700 x 23c tyres
  • Controls : ITM XX7 handlebar & stem, Velo VLT-40 tape 
  • Finishing Kit : Selle San Marco Ponza saddle, RSP seatpost
  • Cable Routing: Internal

The SP Comp is a mid range bike that is suited for riders wanting a bit more from their bike. It's ideally suited recreational/sportive riding, but is more than capable for entry level racing. The monocoque frame construction provides the best balance of performance and cost (weighing in at 1050g), whilst the componentry (Shimano Tiagra components) provides good reliability, good shifting and execution when required.

The frame is stiff, light and very strong and manufactured from high modulus carbon fibre (Toray) and will provide you with great comfort and an excellent ride feel. Raleigh also use the C4 full carbon fork, with 1 1/8” - 1 1/2” carbon steerer, that reduces flex and twisting for more control in tight situations (weigh 450g).

Apart from the Shimano Tiagra components, you also have an FSA Omega compact chainset (50x34) and coupled with the rear cassette on the back wheel will provide you with a greater choice of gearing for climbing and a good selection for speed. A compact setup gives you a better choice of gearing for sportive riding and makes it a bit more easier to go uphill.

Each SP Comp is fully built, tested and tuned by a fully qualified bike mechanic.


Bikes are limited stock and are to order with a 10 percent deposit.

 Available in 54 or 56cm frames - these bikes will be built to British Standards BS 6102: Part 1: 1992 prior to delivery with the first service and delivery in the Vale free. All this for £975.


If you've got any questions about having a bike built to your specification then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959, by email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk. or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form.

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Vale of Glamorgan Show

Vale Cycle Servicing will be at the Vale of Glamorgan Show on the 21st Aug 2013 at Fonmon Castle.

 

If you're on your bike then why not pop by for a FREE Dr Bike check over or just stop by and say hello.  We will also have a small range of spare and accessories with us including Schwalbe tyres and tubes, KMC chains and Fibrax brake cables/blocks and gear cables.

Come a discuss you cycling needs with us, whether it's repairing the bike in the shed, servicing your trusty commuter, up-grading your mountain bike or having a bike built to your specification we are here to help.

If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk

Monday 22 July 2013

Stuck Seat Post

The Raleigh Yukon I had in recently had a stuck seat post, this often happens and is particularly tricky when the seat is full down.

With only the last 2" sticking out this was always going to be tricky to remove and the normal methods of removal were soon abandoned.  The last option was to cut in out which was hard work with the weather we've been having.  


As you can see from the image below there was a lot of corrosion on the bottom part of the post and the inside of the frame was just as bad to get the new post to fit the frame had to be reamed out to remove the corrosion.



All of this is easily prevented by regular maintenance 

If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk




Tuesday 16 July 2013

FOR SALE - SAB Team Tacconi with full Shimano Sora Groupset - make me a reasonable offer!

FOR SALE - Build just completed of this fantastic Team Tacconi 7005 Alloy Road Frame from Italian masters SAB offering race performance at a very reasonable price.  

This bike has been re-listed again on ebay with a lower starting price of £575.99 but I'm still open to sensible offers!! SAB Team Tacconi

 
 
The frame is hand built from an oversized, ovalized Columbus Zonal 7005 alloy main tubeset bonded to a 3k carbon seatstay.

The bike has been built up with the latest 2013 Shimano Sora groupset with Raleigh Trubuild Mach 1 CFX rims laced to Shimano Tiagra hubs. To match the Italian frame Deda and Selle Italia are used for handlebars, seatpost and seat.


It is a 48cm frame suiting a rider 5’7” to 5’9” in height with a 27” – 29” inside leg measurement.



The RRP for the components of this bike is over £875, I need to recoup my investment in this bike to build another so make me a resonable offer, you never know.
 Specification:
  • Frame:SAB Team Takoni Columbus Zonal Alloy And Carbon Road Frameset48cm
  • Fork:Evo Carbon Wrapped
  • Front Derailleur:Shimano Sora Double Front Mech
  • Rear Derailleur:Shimano Sora 9 Speed Rear Mech
  • Shifters:Shimano Sora STI Shifters 9 Speed
  • Chainset:Shimano Sora Compact CranksetCrank length:170 mm
  • Chainrings:50-34T
  • Bottom Bracket:Shimano 4600 BB Cups (Italian)
  • Cassette:Shimano 9 Spd HG50 (Sora/Tiagra) Cassette 12-25
  • Chain:Shimano HG53 9 Speed with KMC Powerlink
  • Front Brake:Shimano Sora Brake Caliper
  • Rear Brake:Shimano Sora Brake Caliper
  • Handlebars:Deda Piega Handlebars (25.8) 44cm
  • Bar tape:Deda Mistral Handlebar Tape Blue
  • Stem:Pazzaz 100mm 26.0mm stem
  • Headset:Cane Creek Aheadset
  • Wheels:Mach 1 CFX Rims, Shimano Tiagra Hubs
  • Front Tyre:Schwalbe Lugano - 700c x 23mm
  • Rear Tyre:Schwalbe Lugano - 700c x 23mm
  • Inner Tube:Nutrax
  • Saddle:Selle Italia Q-Bik Saddle Black
  • Seatpost:Deda RSX 01 Seatpillar White 27.2 350mm
  • Seat Clamp:Tranz-X Seatclamp 29.8 mm
  • Pedals:RSP MTB Clipless Pedal
  • Bottle cage bosses:2 sets,
  • Number of Gears:18
  • Accessories:RSP CX3.0 9F Wireless computer, RSP Resin Bottle Cage
If you've got any questions about having a bike built to your specification then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959, by email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk. or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form. 

Monday 15 July 2013

Why a Bike Needs Regular Servicing - Part 3

It's great when people bring you a bike to service but sometimes it's to late for some parts.

The forks on an MTB, that has mainly been used on the road, were solid so required some investigation.  As you can see from the following images there's not much I can do with these but it serves to stress how important it is to keep on top of you maintenance. 


When I took the top caps off this is what came out along with about 1/2 cup of water from each leg which has wrecked havoc inside.




It took quite a bit of effort to get the forks apart (lead filled dead hammer) to find the cause of the solid forks, the right leg is solid with rust. 


This corrosion was far worse and has been removed to see how bad the pitting is.    



The bottom of the legs are also rusted badly and wont come apart.
 
Unfortunately there's nothing I can do for these forks and they'll be consigned to the bin.  Regular fork servicing, even for simple fork legs like these, with an inexpensive seal change and re-lube would eliminate this kind of damage.  

If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk







 

Monday 8 July 2013

Vale Cycle Servicing - XLC Pro Remote Controlled Adjustable Seat Post 30.9mm dia. SOLD!!!

This item as been listed on ebay  but I'm open to sensible offers!!
VCS deal of the week: 
You've just had a great ride down some a brilliant single track with your seat down hitting drop off's and jumps feeling like your on the ride of your life? Nothing can slow you down, and then.... you hit a uphill!! With the shout of "I wish I had a flipping dropper post"!!!
XLC Pro Remote Controlled Adjustable Seat Post 30.9mm dia.  
RRP on this fantastic bit of kit is £149.95 my price £114.99 


SOLD!!!

If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs  or spares then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk



FOR SALE - UVEX Ultrasonic Cycle Helmet £52.93 - NOW SOLD

This helmet has been re-listed on ebay Uvex Ultrasonic but I'm open to sensible offers!!

UVEX Ultrasonic Helmet MTB/Road Helmet
Halfords are currently selling this model for £60.51 so grab a bargain, RRP for this helmet £99.99
Double in-mould construction
19 vents
Superlight height and width adjustable IAS-2K headring
FAS chin strap
Monomatic closure
Integrated bug mesh
Detachable visor
235g
52-56cm
Light, comfortable and well ventilated 



If you require the price for a part or cycle accessories or about having your bike(s) serviced then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959, by email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk. or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form.  

Thursday 4 July 2013

Get Ready For Summer !

The summer holidays are just around the corner, are your families bikes ready for your holiday.

The day of your holiday and the car is packed with all the camping gear and the last thing is to load the families bikes on the rack.  So you go to the shed and drag them out: "Ah those tyres look like the mice have made a meal of them; don't remember that chain being so rusty; these brakes aren't working very well; why won't it change gear.  Kids! maybe we won't take the bikes this year.  I knew I should have got them sorted but I haven't had the time".

Modern life means there's rarely time in your day to take your bike to your local shop to get it serviced or fixed so we operate a FREE collect and return workshop and mobile repairs service across the Vale to keep you and your bikes fit for summer.

For the Summer we are offering the following deal.

Special Rate Multi Bike Discounts
Have 3 or more bikes serviced at the same time (2 Kid’s Bikes, 18” wheel size and under = 1 bike) from £35.00 each (parts not included).

What's included in a our Main Service.

Our Main Service normally costs £45 and - like all our servicing - starts with a free M Check * comprising of a quick but thorough examination of your bike to spot any major defects which will require attention outside of your normal servicing schedule.   We do not charge for labour for new parts - such as cables, chains or hub bearings - fitted as part of a main service which includes the following maintenance checks and services:
  • Visual inspection of frame and forks to check for any defects
  • Wheels rims, spokes and hubs checked for damage and wear
  • Wheel bearings checked for play and adjusted if required
  • Tyres checked for wear and inflated to the recommended pressure
  • Brakes inspected, lubricated and adjusted as required
  • Cables and brake pads replaced if required - hydraulic brakes are an additional cost
  • Headset inspected and adjusted as required
  • Bottom bracket inspected for play and adjusted as required
  • Inspect, lubricate and adjust derailleur and gears - cables replaced if required.
  • External lubrication of chain and all pivot points
  • Seat post cleaned and lubricated
  • All bolts retightened to manufacturers recommended torque settings
  • Strip, inspect, lubricate and adjust hubs
  • Headset stripped, inspected, lubricated and adjusted - headset will be replaced if required
  • Check forks and suspension
We also supply accessories from the Cyclelife.com range from Raleigh so if there's anything you need from Kiddie Trailers to pumps we can provide anything in the range. 

So lets get the family bikes ready for the holiday. 

If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk

Sunday 9 June 2013

Why a Bike Needs Regular Servicing - Part 2

As I mentioned in the first part of the blog regular servicing is important for keeping your bike running smoothly and also keep the cost of repairs down.

Bearing are normally left far to long before they are serviced and come out as a rusty mess.  Most bearings aren't sealed and most grease's don't have a great ability to repel water.  The photo's below show what happens when water gets mixed in with the grease. 

  As you can see all the contact surfaces are badly corroded and pitted, this is a bottom bracket bearing with a seal but even in that environment the seal has been overwhelmed and water has got in.


The ball bearing are all pitted


  And the bearing race is a terrible condition.  It is quite easy to remove the seal on this type  bearing, wash it out out and then repacking with grease.  done regularly the bearing could have lasted years.

Finally headset bearing come in for a tough time especially the bottom one by the wheel 





 Again regular servicing could eliminate this kind of damage


If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Why a Bike Needs Regular Servicing - Part 1

Regular servicing and timely component changing is important in keeping your bike running smoothly.

I've been compiling a 'black museum' of parts removed from bikes that have gone well past there useful life.  As in a previous blog regular chain changing is important for the rest of the components in the drive train.  The images below show what happens when a 'knackered' chain continues to be used.


 These are jockey wheels from a rear dérailleur, the small jockey wheel has been added to the photo to show what a good wheel should look like.  There was also considerable wear in all the rear dérailleur pivot points so the whole lot was changed. 
  
 The cassette was also shot as the picture below shows, again the worn chain has caused the wear. 


The overall cost to the customer was approx £70 worth of parts and labour, all for the cost of a £10 chain.

If you've got any questions about Cycle Repairs then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form on the website or by email at peter@valecycleservicing.co.uk




Monday 13 May 2013

Cycle Parts & Spares

Vale Cycle Servicing carries an extensive range of parts and spares, all at competitive prices.
  
We carry a range of the most common parts that need replacing on a bike from manufacturers such as Shimano, Schwalbe, Weldtite, Fibrax, Clarks, Sunrace, Raleigh, RSP, XLC, Deda.

We have:
  • Axles
  • Ball Bearings
  • Bottom Brackets
  • Brake Blocks
  • Brake Cables
  • Cassettes
  • Chains
  • Handlebar Tape
  • Head Sets
  • Pumps
  • Suspension Bearings
  • Tubes
  • Tools
  • Tyres
  • Wheels
  • Wheel Bearings
for instance these are some of the deals we can do:








Schwalbe Lugano £11.88 each









Deda Mistral bar tape £7.76










XLC Headsets from £5





 





Cassettes from £7




 


KMC Chains from £8




 
 
If you require the price for a part or about having your bike(s) serviced then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959, by email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk. or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form.  

Friday 10 May 2013

SAB Team Takoni Bike Build - Drive Train & Gears

Getting towards the end of the build so it's time to fit the most important parts of the bike together, the drive train.  

This consists of the crankset, front dérailleur, rear derailleur, cassette and chain.



It's all fairly simple stuff to fit, it's the setting up that trips people up and results in poor shifting, and a noisy ride.

It's nice to see even on Shimano's Sora groupset that the crankset's are nowadays Hollowtech, pretty impressive on an entry level system.

The front dérailleur mechanism should be set so the it is parrell with the chainring with a 1 to 3mm gap between the derailleur and the teeth of the largest chainwheel.


Also it's important to set the high and low stop correctly so the chain doesn't over travel when changing gear.



Again at the rear set the dérailleur high and low stops so the top jockey wheel is directly under the top or bottom gear before the chain goes on.


 If you're fitting your own chain there are a few ways to work out the correct length, if you have the old one then measure it side-by-side and then take off what isn't needed.  Another way is to thread the chain on to the bike using the smallest gears and then cutting the chain length so there is a gap between the top jockey wheel and the chain (see picture below)

 It's all the a matter of setting the tension on the cables so the dérailleurs move the chain on to each gear smoothly and efficiently with no rubbing when on the gear.

That's it for this bike, which is now for sale.  They are many other aspect of selecting parts and setting a bike up that I will cover with other builds but this has been about giving you a flavour of a good medium price bike build. 
  
If you've got any questions about bicycle builds then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959 or via email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk





Thursday 9 May 2013

SAB Team Takoni Bike Build - Gear Hanger Fabrication

When I bought the SAB frame I didn't realise there wasn't a rear dérailleur gear hanger supplied with the frame.  

Having exhausted all suppliers and having been quoted over £300 to have one made I decided to revert to my aircraft trade skills and modify one that was similar.  

Many hours were spent perusing endless list until I came up with this hanger, the main issue with the SAB frame being the hanger is internally mounted.


This was filed down to the correct shape along with drilling and tapping the mounting holes to produce this:


Trouble is it all looked a bit messy and it wasn't the ideal hanger to modify as it was to small.  Another trawl of the internet came up with this hanger that look ideal:



The mounting holes aren't in the correct position but apart from that the hanger is the right size to fit.  Again the hanger was carefully filed to shape and the necessary mounted holes drilled and tapped to 4mm.




The hanger was finally fitted to give me a functional gear hanger, total cost £38, that's better than the £300 previously quoted.  As I can't buy a hanger for these frames I've fabricate two so there's a spare, plus I've made a template to produce more if needed.

The evolution of the hanger is shown below:


 And finally the hanger on the bike


If you've got any questions about bicycle builds or parts fabrication then please contact us on either 07812 033 064, 01446 796 959, by email at peter@valecycleserving.co.uk. or via the Online Quotes and Booking Form.