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

 

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.  

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

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