CyCMech - Bexley Cycle Mechanic

A winter word of warning and caution!! If you have had a bike on a turbo or sweat a lot when out riding hard - make sure you check your Aluminium handlebars!! On initial inspection the bar tape on this bike looked ok!! But on closer inspection and feeling small bumps here and there, I realised that this bar was one hard ride off a catastrophic failure!! Sweat and Aluminium DO NOT MIX WELL!! A chemical reaction causes the Aluminium to degrade to the point where it can split and break apart, so a new set of bars, cables and bar tape is much better than a Christmas hospital visit. Be safe out there and make sure you get your bike checked - especially if you are have been a sweaty hard rider this year!!
Take care and enjoy riding safely
CyCMech

If anyone fancies sponsoring their favourite bicycle mechanic then please give anthing you can for a very worthwhile cause as I complete the London to Brighton Bicycle Ride for the British Heart Foundation!!

Yes I know I don't normally do this sort of thing but I had a drink, had just watched some close friends to the London Marathon and set myself a challenge.

Also I am normally busier doing maintenance to get out for some proper training rides for myself so this is more of a challenge than initially expected!!

I’m helping raise money for British Heart Foundation!

Please spare a few quid and support me at:

Ian's fundraiser for British Heart Foundation Help Ian Barclay raise money to support British Heart Foundation

Well, I had a Focus Cayo Evo in earlier this week with a creaking Bottom Bracket, so broke out the superb Bottom Bracket removal tool and used it to remove the BB30 bearings from a Pressfit unit. Some stainless steel bearings 6806 re-installed back into the frame making it smooth running again!!

Happy New Year everyone!! Hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to 2024.

Just a reminder that CyCMech is still here for all your bicycle needs.

Workshop space is available and we have some great deals on overstocked chain l***s for your winter cycling and into the spring months too.

Get in touch via the website and enjoy your cycling 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️

cycmech Bexley Cycle mechanic 07984 645648 or 01322 400952

Specialized Diverge new headset bearings installation!! A longer job than most headsets due to the parts list and way placed into the fork and headtube. Previous bearings were rusted out!! Now all back together, re-greased and smooth as silk

At this time of year and particularly if you have been riding through the winter don't forget to check the alloy surface of your wheels... there are small wear holes on the alloy surface and if you can't see these and/or the surface is concave this means that the rim is very worn and needs to be replaced. If this isn't checked your rim can fail as in these pictures and will cause a puncture and a potential tyre failure - So don't forget to check your alloy wheel surface please 👍😊👌

Another bike out the workshop today with some gorgeous Black and Tan Goodyear Eagle F1's - I had a test ride and the tyre is quick!! Want some?? Spring is coming so get in touch and get a super set of Goodyear's on - available in Tubed and Tubeless versions, Black and Black and Tan - your choice

Client's bike kitted out in some awesome looking big boy tyres from - fitted as tubeless and look the business - if you want some decent MTB, Gravel or Road tyres from then get in touch... the Eagle F1 in black and tan for the road tubed or tubeless is 👍👌👍

Love a set of Hope Brakes and these slightly older cool green V2's are getting a bleed and new pads!! The Hope Easy Bleed system is great and rather than the constant replacing fluid in the reservoir gives a funnel based system which is filled with Dot 5.1 to replace the old oil. Perfect

Just a quick one... This clincher rim has failed and is a ride away from splitting, causing all sorts of damage and potential injury. At this time of year when the weather deteriorates and there is more dirt on the road your brake pads will pick up grit and wear your rim's quickly. If your wheel has a concave feel to it, then it needs to be replaced. If it feels like this please get in touch or if further away take it to your local mechanic and get it checked.

Something outrageous has been happening around London and probably the rest of the country - Don't leave your weekend best bike anywhere where you don't have sight of it even if locked. The owner of this lovely Trek Emonda came back to find his handlebars had been removed and all cables cut through. An expensive unnecessary theft which has now been put right but very annoying for the owner!!!

Love a wheel rebuild purely because once your bearings start to sound graunchy and gritty then a new set will make a huge difference.. this Prime wheel is having some Hybrid Ceramic bearings put in throughout so will be silky smooth and faster rolling but will need a bit more servicing to keep them smooth