The Friendly Bike Mechanic

29/08/2026

Hello everyone 👋

Sorry for being a little quieter than usual recently and for any delays replying to messages or getting bikes booked in.

My personal circumstances have changed a bit, and I’ve now started working in a residential care home supporting young people — which is brilliant and something I’m really enjoying. Starting the role has also involved quite a lot of training, alongside getting used to shift work and finding a new routine, so The Friendly Bike Mechanic has had to take a bit of a back seat while everything settled down.

Things are starting to normalise now, though, and I’ll be taking bookings again from the second week of September. 🚲🔧

Thank you so much for your patience, for understanding, and especially for continuing to call on me to look after your bikes.

One of the things I love about doing this is that, by supporting The Friendly Bike Mechanic , you’re also helping me continue the work I do supporting young racers and the local cycling community. So every service, repair and bit of work genuinely helps keep that going too.

Thanks again — and I’m looking forward to getting back to fixing bikes! ❤️🚲

27/08/2026

16/08/2026

I do amuse myself but I also like giving away free stuff thanks to !

22/06/2026

"No... I don't think that it makes your frame that much lighter..."

11/06/2026

Gorgeous and super light chainring from Praxis Works for a racer. 🥰🤩

We use a lot of Praxis cranks, BB and others. Contact us for info!

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. 🚲