Category Archives: cycle maintenance

Preventing punctures

Posted on 27 November, 2012 by doug

If you ride a bike, you’ll almost certainly get a puncture at some point (no pun intended).  Just a reality of cycling I guess but there are things you can do to minimise this downer (is that another pun?). Preparation … Continue reading →

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The new revolutionary airless tyre

Posted on 9 November, 2012 by doug

It has been said the best ideas are brilliantly simple and so obvious; you wonder why anyone hasn’t already done it.  Take these tyres for instance.  They are constructed in a way which is self-supporting i.e. no inner tube is … Continue reading →

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Becky’s bespoke bike repairs

Posted on 20 October, 2012 by doug

Here’s my daughter Becky at work on our friend’s bike; it’s all about learning to be a little more self reliant, enterprising, entrepreneurial and something about learning how bikes work.  It is all leading towards her earning money towards a school … Continue reading →

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Cleaning a bicycle chain

Posted on 12 October, 2012 by doug

Cleaning a bicycle chain is probably one of the yuckiest things to do in the world of cycling, other than having a broken chain in the middle of nowhere, at night and in the pouring rain.  And yet when you … Continue reading →

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Bikeworks

Posted on 12 September, 2012 by doug

A few days ago I was waiting for a tube train in London and I spotted an advert for bikeworks and have now taken a closer look at their website as I think they appear a really great organisation and worth a … Continue reading →

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Stainless steel-v-galvanised steel cables

Posted on 2 September, 2012 by doug

Stainless steel  gear cables Through the work we’ve done in updating Becky’s vintage Argos bike, the cables are being replaced.  We found that stainless steel cables seemed to feel a bit smoother than the (slightly) cheaper galvanised cables which is … Continue reading →

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Upgrading brake cables

Posted on 26 August, 2012 by doug

Becky learning about handlebar moustaches The main bug-bear with Becky’s bike, her Birthday Bike Project in the form of a vintage Argos 531c bike, is the brakes being too stiff and awkward.  Our first step was to replace the levers … Continue reading →

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Dealing with squeaks, rattles and other irritating noises

Posted on 25 August, 2012 by doug

Although I know how a bike works and appreciate a nice smooth running bike, I’m not always quick to react when something might be wrong.  I should know better and yet I don’t want to become a bike nerd and … Continue reading →

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Review – Raleigh Outback SPD type pedal

Posted on 24 August, 2012 by doug

My daughter has treated herself to a pair of these pedals for her Birthday Bike Project.  She went into our LBS and selected a pair of shoes, having tried on every conceivable pair (at least twice), walked around in them, … Continue reading →

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Pumping up bike tyres

Posted on 21 August, 2012 by doug

Every cyclist needs one of these – a track pump – but not necessarily a Specialized one. Problems from an over-inflated tyre Tyres can be blown off the rim if the pressure is too high and this can occur in … Continue reading →

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Routine brake pad check

Posted on 11 August, 2012 by doug

This is about the importance of taking a closer look at your bicycle.  As an example of why this is important, this morning I checked over my bike, I discovered there was an issue with the rear brakes on my … Continue reading →

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