Velo Phoenix

Wishing all our customers new and old a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you for your custom, supporting a local business.

Always a pleasure to work on fellow Ilkeston CC members bikes. Their support over the past six years has been pivitol in the growth of the business, and in return we have offered our benchmark high standard of work with attention to every detail for the most reasonable of prices, with all parts at cost.
New bike day for one loyal ICC customer and it came to us for a check over. The bike had been very well looked after but was in need of a service, still offered at the value for money price of £70. While it was with us the owner took the opportunity to have new tubeless tyres fitted.
This is good looking bike and I was surprised by how comfortable the geometry was. Design for long periods in the saddle.

For the past few weeks I’ve had the pleasure of carrying out a sensitive restoration on a humble Carlton Corsa dating from 1974.
This bike was in complete original condition with all parts still working. However, the owner wanted a double chainset and finding a front Huret derailleur in good enough condition to match the original rear one proved impossible. So I deemed an upgrade to Suntour with Strongarm cranks suitable for the period.
Apart the the cotterpins that needed a vice to remove them all other parts were in good condition and restored well. The wheels are Sturmey Archer chromed rims and hubs which I rebuilt with new stainless spokes as the originals were a little tired.
I hope you agree that it looks the part again.
The owner had this model of bike when he was a teenager and will be happy reliving his youth on this now stunning example.
If you want to replace the bike you once had or acquire the model you coveted as a kid trust us with the restoring it to its former glory.

Please be aware that we will be closed between 24th July to 1st August for a holiday.
Please message us if you wish to book something in on our return.
Thank you

We’ve been so busy lately that our social media has been a little neglected.
However, we just had to post this gorgeous Hinde gravel bike that came in for tubeless set up and a double brake service and bleed.
Dripping in Campagnolo, it’s a stunner.
We do hope Campagnolo makes the most of the current situation within the industry and stage a comeback.

Ever heard the phrase, happy accident?

Well last Sunday on a club ride with Ilkeston Cycling Club one of the riders had an issue with their front brake calliper. Unfortunately I couldn’t fix it at the road side, and so I invited the owner to bring it over to the workshop in the next few days.

The bike arrived on Tuesday and in conversation the owner they told me of their plans to ride from Lands End to John-o-Groats in August. An inspection of the bike soon discovered that it wasn’t in any condition to complete the epic ride. As well as the failed brake calliper, the bottom bracket had gone, the brake blocks were rock hard, all the cables and casing needed replacing, the bar tape needed replacing, the front tyre was perished and cracked, and a 36 tooth casette had been fitted (on the advise of Halfords) when the derailleur could only handle a 28 tooth.

A full strip and rebuild was carried out with the paint restored and new bar tape, brake pads, and bottom bracket fitted. The brake calliper was fixed, wheels trued and a tyre and wolf tooth (allow the derailleur to handle a 36 tooth casette) were donated.

The bike now looks like new and is up the challenge. Had the brake not failed that day allowing the bike to receive my attention, it is likely that it would have suffered a mechanical failure on its epic ride. Happy accident and fate intervened.

It’s important when you unwrap your best bike from its winter slumber to check it over.
You might be forgiven for thinking that it will be in the same perfect condition it was when you put it away, especially if you’ve stored inside. In fact the warm dry conditions are not as good for your bike as you think, drying out the oils and grease that keep moving parts free and smooth. The lack of use also allows any water ingress to cause serious corrosion.
This Giant TCR came in for a service and pre-season check up after the owner noticed it couldn’t be back peddled. A strip down of the rear hub found that the inner freehub bearing had completely seized and had chemically welded itself to the axle. The outer freehub bearing and both wheel bearings were all running rough and in need of replacement.
All component parts of the hubs were de-rusted and polished up before reassembly with Enduro stainless steal bearings to prevent the same issue again in this high end wheel set.
The chain oil had dried to a sticky paste making it difficult to remove, but with some hard work satisfaction was achieved.
A new front Shimano disc and pads were required and a top up of tyre sealant using Silca, as it’s just the best for road bike running at high pressure.

It’s now ready for another season of riding and winterproofed for the future.

We are pleased to have an ever growing number of female customers, and last week we were entrusted with this cherished Specialized road bike.
After years doing sterling sevice around London and last winter on the turbo trainer it was in need of some attention.
The chain was badly worn and so consequently was the chainrings and cassette. Praxis double chainrings are just shy of £200 and this expense could not be justified. With some conventional chainring bolts the cranks were converted to take FSA rings at a much more pocket friendly price.
The bottom bracket bearings were also dry so they were removed, thoroughly cleaned and greased be reinstalling saving money on replacement’s.
In total, a service including the BB bearings, drive train replacement, and bar wrap came to £100 in parts and £100 in labour. We feel that’s good value for money.
As you can see the bike is spotless and looks like new.

Well spring has truly sprung and us cyclists are making the most of it.

Consequently we are happy to report that business is booming in the workshop, as winter bikes receive some much needed maintenance and repairs before being put to bed, and the summer bikes are treated to a service for the season ahead.

This week has seen a pride and joy Planet X get a full service along with a SRAM Force drivetrain replacement, a long serving and hard working Giant winter bike get a full strip and rebuild with some worn parts replaced, and a lovely Cinelli touring bike get a full service and bottom bracket replacement in preparation for a week touring down the Rhine Valley.

We treat your bike like it’s our bike when it’s in our workshop, with the upmost of care and attention. Professional work with attention to detail and labour and parts at competitive prices.

Merry Christmas to all our customers and thank you for your valued custom and support throughout the year.

Do you know what tool this is, what it’s indicating, and whether it’s good or bad? If not read on.
It’s a chain wear indicator and it’s showing that this chain is very worn and there is a likelihood of resulting damage called hooking to the chainrings and casette. Very costly if they all need replacing.
Entrust your serving needs to us and we will ensure this regrettable situation doesn’t happen to you.
If you’ve never had your chain checked and replaced then message us and arrange to drop by and we’ll check it for free. It the worst has happened we’ll sort the problem for you in the most cost effective way we can, or if you want to take the opportunity to upgrade we can source components at competitive prices.

It was a great pleasure to restore this Carlton track Flyer.
Although many of its original components had been retained the bike had undergone a late 70’s upgrade. Replacement crankset, bottom bracket, brake lever and headset were sought and fitted and the original Airlite hubs were built into Fiamme rims.
I think you’ll agree it looks fast while standing still.