Four reasons to service your cycle
“Why do I need to service my cycle?” A fair question, and yes — I am biased, being a cycle mechanic. Four reasons anyway, and I hope they convince you.
Workshop journal
What has been on the bench
Conversions, unusual hubs, jobs that turned out to be more interesting than they looked, and the occasional strong opinion about the trade. Written up as they happen.
In this concept, the existing articles carry across unchanged — the layout below is how they would be presented.
Brommieplus 12 speed conversion — a mechanic's opinion
After finishing a second Brommieplus 12 speed conversion this week, a write-up of the process for anyone thinking about the upgrade, and what I took away from actually doing it.
Schwalbe Clik Valve
A demo kit arrived in the post, giving a hands-on look at Schwalbe's redesign of the humble tyre valve — and a bit of history going back to Schrader in 1898.
Bottom bracket repair
A touring bike back in with a very loose crank — the same one that came through earlier for a Rohloff cable box. This time something is seriously amiss further in.
Brompton electric six speed conversion
The owner of this 2020 Brompton Electric M2L finds his local routes a slog on two gears. Taking it to six, and in effect turning it into an M6L.
Brompton Sprinter hub service and rim replacement
Another Sprinter hub in for a service, a rim replacement and a few new parts. Very little maintenance for several years, by the owner's own admission — plus a reported slip in first.
Moulton TSR Alfine 11 speed build
Just under a year after the Alfine 8 conversion on a Moulton APB, another Moulton arrives — this time for a full Alfine 11 speed build.
Rohloff Speedhub external cable box replacement
A local Rohloff-equipped bike in for a cable box replacement. The owner reports over 100,000 km — all still working, but some parts are showing their age.
PW Cycles — 2022 review
Website setup began in July 2021, the domain was bought, hosting went to the marvellous fellows at Cambridge-based Mythic Beasts, and views climbed slowly from there.
Swytch bike legal issues
An unannounced visit from a UK trading standards officer, a conversation about e-bikes, and what it turned up about conversion kits.
Got one like this?
Most of these started as a phone call
If your bike is doing something odd, describing it is usually enough to get a sensible answer and a price.
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