The Friendly Bike Mechanic

03/06/2026

How are your cleats?
Make sure you have a quick look before getting too deep in the riding season!

31/05/2026

Great session THIS MONDAY open to women and girls (10+) by The Hera Project!

Hera Development
These sessions provide a performance-focused environment for those who want to improve fitness, develop racing skills, or compete.

https://www.heraproject.co.uk/event-details/hera-skills-development-sessions-5?fbclid=IwY2xjawSJPPVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrOWwxa1JXdGNPbDZ4eFJSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtVCaO-usG4zGdhPsJEBqkV6SY5DRVj-N8EqjZUhTZglbtI7I2NgTPY54Hu__aem_1lFOAhJp5c4AHJhCbhEr0w

Both sessions are open to women and girls (10+) whether you are looking for social riding or a more focused training opportunity.

28/05/2026

Sundorne School of Racing... I like the sound of that! 😆

23/05/2026

Hitting the trails but don't want a backpack to hold your tolls and spares?

The Burrito Pack is just what you need!

Strap it under the seat or on your frame!

19/05/2026

This week’s second Facebook Marketplace bike nightmare… 😬

A family bought a bike because their son absolutely loved the look of it. They’re not cyclists themselves, but they wanted to make him happy. The seller explained that the rear wheel just needed “some bearings”, which is why it had been taken apart.

So the bike came to me to sort the rear wheel.

First thing I noticed? The quick release skewer itself was bent.

Then I tried removing the axle assembly from the hub and realised why everything felt wrong…

The main axle bolt running through the hub had actually SNAPPED.

At that point, it stopped being “missing bearings” and became a complete hub failure.

Yesterday’s Marketplace special arrived with no usable front brake because the bleed port screw was missing from a very specific hydraulic brake setup. No screw = no fluid = no brakes. And sourcing that tiny part is now turning into a treasure hunt.

Please remember:
A bike can look amazing and still be unsafe.

If you’re buying for your child and you’re not sure what to look for, consider places like:

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There are great refurbished bikes out there that are safe, checked properly, and often cost less than people think.

You do NOT need the newest bike.
You DO need one that’s safe. 🚲

18/05/2026

**We explain. We don’t judge.**

Just had a bike come in that someone bought from Facebook Marketplace.

On paper, it sounded like a good deal: a couple of upgraded components, including one really big-name upgrade.

But the brakes don’t work.

There’s no power at all because there’s no hydraulic fluid in the system — and there’s no hydraulic fluid because the bleed port screw is missing.

So now what looked like a bargain needs work before it’s safe to ride. By the time it’s sorted, the real cost of the bike will be higher than the price they paid for it.

This isn’t about making anyone feel bad. It’s about keeping people safe.

Before you walk away with a second-hand bike — and before every ride — please do an **M-check**.

A bargain is only a bargain if it’s safe.

It is essential to make sure your bike is safe to ride before every adventure. We take a look at the "M Check" method which is easy to remember and ensures y...

10/05/2026

She did it!!!charlesworth of WON !

10/05/2026

Come on .charlesworth !!

16/04/2026

Yes… out, out, out — everybody out! 🚲

We’re finally clearing the backlog, with three bikes leaving us today.

A real mix too:

A BMX that came in with braking issues and wheels needing truing.

A mountain bike with brakes so aggressive that the young rider had no option but to go over the handlebars — now sorted, along with some smart new end caps. It might sound like a small thing, but good end caps or stem cap can really lift the overall look of a bike.

And finally, a beautiful Ribble Cycles gravel bike that had suffered a bent derailleur hanger. It happens — but it’s now fitted with a new one out ready to hit the road!

We’re taking a few days off, but we’ll be back next week.

If your bike has a problem, get in touch and we’ll do our best to get you rolling again. 🔧 😊

13/04/2026

Keep it clean!
(With ceramic!)
(Ps You'd love this ) 😆