Anyone know a decent place I can get two bicycles serviced in/near Guildford?
Used to use Acorn Cycles but they seem to have disappeared unless someone knows different.
New Years resolution, more exercise and all that...
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Why do you need to get a bicycle serviced? I've never bothered in my life. It either works or it doesn't. Just check a few obvious things, such as the tyres look ok, the brakes work and all the nuts and bolts are tight. £100 please sir.
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Evans in Woking, very good reputation, they have other branches so there might be one in or nearer Guildford.
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Why do you need to get a bicycle serviced? I've never bothered in my life. It either works or it doesn't.
Just like a car, then? ;)
Just check a few obvious things, such as the tyres look ok, the brakes work and all the nuts and bolts are tight. £100 please sir.
If you want to keep a bike running properly, it does need some maintenance, though less than bikes used to -- most modern bicycles have sealed-bearing hubs, crankshafts and pedals, which removes the need to periodically dismantle and re-grease them, as well the more frequent checks on adjustment of the bearings.
When I used to do a lot of cycling, my regular maintenance items included those bearings, plus:
* weekly check on condition of tyres, also checking that the wheels were in true, and correcting them with the spoke key if needed
* checking the condition of all cables, and replacing any that were getting frayed
* checking the condition and alignment of the brake blocks and that the brake cable was set so that there was still some scope for hand adjustment as the blocks wore down
* cleaning and re-oiling the chain every two months or so, more often in winter (they pick up a lot of grit off the road, which accelerates wear); also check wear on front cogs, and periodically replace them and the chain.
* Removing and cleaning the rear block (the cogs attached to the back wheel) - it too gets clogged very easily
* Checking the adjustments on the gearchange mechanisms, which can lead to chain jumping off if they stretch or wear
Most cyclists don't bother with those things, which is most bikes aren't in great shape after a few years' use. But if you like cycling, it'll be a much more pleasurable exercise if you do the maintenance, and your bike will last a lot longer.
When I was a kid, cycle shops were mostly very rough-and-ready and rather macho places where I suspected that a hammer was as much a part of the toolkit as a spanner. I had quite a shock when I cycled to Italy and entered one of their bicycle workshops: gleaming surfaces, a proper selection of tools (no hammers!), charming men who ran them, and a genuine desire to maintain bikes properly. It seemed to be a spin-off of Italy's strong cycle-racing tradition, but whatever caused it, it was great to see cycle maintenance not being treated as a job which required an oil-smeared face. Much more woman-friendly :)
The UK seems to have caught up on the retailing of bikes, but I wonder if the workshops have improved as much -- given the general deskilling of this country, I suspect not :(
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A really good LBS near Guildford try Switchback Cycles in Knaphill.
Switchback Cycles
31 High Street
Knaphill,
Surrey
GU21 2PP
Email: Enquiries@SwitchbackCycles.com
Telephone: 01483 481773
Fax: 01483 481773
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Surrey Cycles Co 75, Station Rd Addlestone KT15 2AR 01932 820716
Good bloke, got me a non standard front wheel in a couple of days and only sold me the front despite having to order the front/rear set.
------------------------------
TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Bought my Specialized there back in September, after looking in Halfords etc and not being very inspired.
Fitted light, lock etc for me too at the same time.
I still miss my old Saracen Rufftrax from years ago, though. :o(
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after looking in Halfords etc
>>
i wonder who you might mean....
Now spelt correctly. DD
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i wonder who you might mean, and what their lawyers might think of doing in response?
I wonder if any of the many other forums I've seen this 'adaptation' posted have had any comeback.
{ 8< SNIP 8< Regardless of how it's spelt elsewhere, not here please. DD}
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When i lived in surrey,i used the services of Performance Bikes in woking.Found they were more knowledgable and helpful than evans cycles.
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This advice from a keen MTBer( and car driver), Cycleworks in Burpham 01483302210 very good, recommended.
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When i lived in surrey,i used the services of Performance Bikes in woking.Found they were more knowledgable and helpful than evans cycles.
Performance Bikes, IIRC they are/were owned by the same people as Surrey Cycles in Addlestone that RF, er TVM mentioned. When living in Surrey I bought a couple of kids bikes from Surrey Cycles though found Evans to be more professional.
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No good to you cos I am up in Scotland, but a local cycle shop will service a bike for me for about a tenner labour and then cost for any parts reqd.
It was a tenner well spent to get my daughter's bike up and running again.
So cost should not be a barrier to getting your bike serviced, if you are like me quite lazy, if you can find the right place,
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Bobby,
Acorn Cycles was a similar outfit. Just some bloke operating out of an old shop. He would take a rusting heap been in your shed for 10 years and for 20 quid make it good as new, but alas he is nowhere to be found now.
Will give the guy in Burpham a go.
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