Another big bill

Bike serviced back in November came back today - it needs another new chain. It hasn't been cleaned or lubed since I had it last and has been ridden nearly every day. The rear mech has almost seized up around the main pivot and all the cable adjusters are seized up. It was very dirty and greasy - rubber glove territory!
I think if it had been cleaned the chain may have lasted substantially longer and a bit of lube every now and then would have stopped things seizing up.
But I can now look forward to rebuilding a resprayed Orange Five full suspension bike - though the choice of fluorescent yellow instead of black wouldn't have been my first choice of colours!

Spring is on it's way

Judging by the way the phone has started to ring so often spring must be on it's way! This was confirmed by me being able to work with the sound of new-born lambs in the workshop from the fields across the road. The first three or four have appeared since last night. This reminds me of what a lovely place I live and how lucky I am to be able to hop on my bike and ride the hills and plains of this part of Lancashire. There are more and more folk out on their bikes now - and my friend who runss a local bike shop is as busy as ever selling new bikes - so all in the world is great! See you on the road...

Busy again

Typically, the minute I opt for a long weekend away the phone starts ringing so I had a 'queue' of bikes waiting for me when I got back yesterday. It was a typical day in the workshop - lots of replacing cables, chains & cassettes, cleaning drivetrains and adjusting brakes. On the phone to suppliers for parts we need. One chap wants new forks fitting. Another has just bought a tidy looking Trek road bike for a very good price and would like it checked over please...
With the longer days on the way it'll be busier and busier if this year is the same as previous years - which is great. And I must get around to replacing the chain & cassette on my own road bike - talk about cobbler's children!