Startline Sportive Rutland - ITP Events

New from ITP Events. Starter Sportives aimed at new riders who may feel that they are not yet ready for a big event. No mechanical support so unless I can muster up some good excuses there is no reason that I couldn't ride the event on my bike instead of in the van! http://www.itpevents.co.uk/event/startline-sportive-rutland

That's it. Santa's little helper has been out and delivered the previously boxed bikes, now built and ready to ride in the morning. Mind your fingers, the hanger doors are now closing for the festive period. Will just have to find a few of hours before the New year to complete the prep of a secondhand bike who which would have been a Xmas present, if the decision had been made soon enough! Also a puncture on a balance bike to sort out that was picked up today! Wishing all our customers and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Timeline Photos

For the mechanics out there looking for 'twisties' look what I found on Wilkinson for only £1.50p.

This months work is predominantly commuters who have problems that need sorting in order for them to get to work and then back home. Other occasional work is box bike builds for those buying bikes off the internet. The rest of the cycling world has other priorities so it is generally a quiet month. This mornings peace was shattered at 07:35 hrs when one of those commuters hit a problem. Then whilst on site sorting things out a colleague approaches me and asks if I have time to sort something out for him. Bonus, 2 jobs cleared at the same location and at the same time. But that was it for the day. Back to preparing for my own Christmas break.

British Cycling

Note that keep it clean is a key tip!

From Owner Operator, Neil Exton: On this day 10 years ago, a life changing decision was made. I had just completed the first week of my City & Guild cycle maintenance training at The Bike Inn (TBI) which I was undertaking as part of my resettlement after 38 years in the Royal Air Force. The aim was to learn how to look after my own bikes. I'd expected that with 38 years experience in logistics I'd naturally step sideways into a civvy street logistics role. But no, after a week of working on bikes that was going to change and the inspiration for a mobile cycle business was born. It took a further month after completing the course, before All Geared Up was ready to roll on 1 Feb 2007. The rest, as they say is history......

All the big jobs completed now awaiting a specialist internal nipple driver and nipples and then to search for an odd sized headset bearing and research some hub bearings. Then I'll be able to call a bike back in and sort out a wheel. On the humorous front I once visited a customer on site at a school and when asked where I should meet her she said, "Behind the bike shed"! And the tomorrows customers say's, "Can you come at 8am, my husband will be out" I presume that is because the restoration job that I will be returning is a surprise for him.

Photos from AGU Mobile Bicycle Repairs's post

When is an A Head headset not quite the A Head you expected? When the top cap has no bolt and there is no star nut!

Timeline Photos

Pleased that this is worn out and being thrown out!

Photos from AGU Mobile Bicycle Repairs's post

Some road testing and the we're done.

When the LBS lets a customer down you get this: Morning Neil Sorry to trouble you with a trivial matter but a local bike shop have messed up my gears (they have had 3 attempts at sorting them!). Wondered if you are in Stamford any time this week? Chain is jumping when on 2 on the front cog and 2, 3 or 4 on the back. I know it was all silky smooth after the last service which that I did on this bike, that included a new chain and cassette being fitted.

I have a problem. An out of true American Classic rear wheel, double skinned, alloy nipples. And yes at the point I need to adjust spoke tension all the nipples are damaged and what little is left a spoke key won't fit (has someone else tried I wonder) Internally the nipple is not slotted like a standard nipple but rather looks to have a square head. None of the 3 internal nipple keys I have will fit. I presume that there is a specific tool for this job but trying to find it and get one may take time. I may have to opt for cutting the spokes (don't like doing that with tension on the spokes) with damaged nipples and replace them, although they are an unusual length, but at least they are standard 'J' bend!