I think that this article was very concise and accurate. It mentioned I was in the Motor Trade and that I had the idea of a Mobile Bike Workshop. It mentioned that I believe there are many opportunities in cycling in Ireland including bike mechanic training. I got a great response to the article especially in the IFSC last Thursday and the Peoples Park last Sunday. One guy came up and said " you stole my idea" !! No seriously people were very nice and gave me loads of encouragement. Thank you all for your support !!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Now is the time to get a Spring Service
You might not think it with the wind and rain that we have been having recently, but spring is in the air, the birds are singing, and finally daylight saving time is here! Now that it is warming up outside it is time to get your bike ready for spring.
There can be a great sense of satisfaction that comes from maintaining your own bike. If you are not comfortable with the checks listed below then contact the professionals – your local bike shop.
Of course the priority with any bike is safety and we can begin with brakes and steering
Wheels - Clean the rims with a cloth and rubbing alcohol, beer won't work! Check the rim for pits or grooves in the sidewall of the rim. Spin the wheels. Do they go around straight or do they wobble? If the wheels wobble, this will affect your brakes. For tweaking take it to a shop or use a truing stand and get it back in true.
Brake System - The biggest problem facing cyclists, particularly if they haven’t used their bike recently and even more so if it has been left outside, are sticky cables. The recent frost and ice has affected nearly every bicycle in Ireland. If the brakes are sticky, then brake cables and the perhaps the outer cables may need to be replaced.
Check the brake blocks. They may have worn unevenly due to blocks not striking the wheel rim at the same time. Unfasten the brake cable and look at the brake pads closely. You can adjust the brake arm tension screw that is usually on one of the brake arms so the brakes are unequal. Remember old brake blocks tend to harden.
Tyres - If the brake pads were out of alignment they may have damaged the tires. Check the tyres for splits, cracks, or tears in the sidewall. Check the tread of the tyres for worn knobs, uneven tread wear, or excessive wear. Replace the tyres if needed. My pet hate is that I cannot understand people who use mountain bike tyres. Smooth tyres are much easier to cycle.
Steering – Check the headset for looseness. In many cases, steering on bikes can be loose. Check this by dropping the bike from the handlebars. If there is a dead sounding “clunk” then the headset may be loose.
Gear Cables - The gear cables will also be affected by frost and ice. Some people use their gears less than others , particularly the front derailleur. I came across one bike recently where the brake cables were totally seized. The owner thought that the problem was in the gear shifter.
Cleaning - It is important to start with a clean bike. Keeping your bike clean will extend the life of your components. As you clean the bike take the time to inspect everything. Look for cracks or other signs of wear that could cause future breakdowns or part failures. Clean the chain, chainrings, cassette, derailleurs, etc. with a biodegradable cleaner. Apply lubrication to the chain. It should be applied so there is an even coat on the inside and outside of each link and between the pins and rollers. Leave it one for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess lube with a rag. Use an old tooth brush and clean everything. Use as little water as possible. Clean the pedals, the brakes, tires, rims, and the frame. Remove the seatpost from the frame and wipe off any dirt. Wipe the inside of the frame where the seatpost slides into. Apply a very small amount of good grease to the post and reinstall.
Safe Cycling.
Written by The Spokesman, Mobile Bike Repairs.
Contact Cathal@086-8545654,cathal@thespokesman.ie, www.thespokesman.ie
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Spokesman is a qualified Bike Mechanic
I have just returned from an intensive two week course at the Bike Inn, Spalding, Lincolshire. I received my Certificate of Attainment from the owners of the Bike Inn Alf and Theresa Webb. It was a very enjoyable course and it covered subjects such as brake systems, gear transmissions, wheel building, bottom brackets, steering, bubs, hydraulics and frame preparation.
The course had seven attendees and included two Irishmen, myself and Turlough O' Brien from Carlow. Turlough produced a wonderful video on the course, the people and where it was located.
It can be seen on you tube on this link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKe782giC90
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Spokesman is away on training
Hi all - The Spokesman is away on training until January 24th. The aim is to learn new skills in bike and wheel building, hydraulic brakes and hydraulic shock absorbers. The momentum for Mobile Bike Repairs is ongoing. As well as the IFSC and Guinness, I will also be visiting DIT colleges, Dublin City Council and East Point Business Park. People love the idea that they get their bikes serviced and repaired while they work
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Spokesman - Mobile Bike Workshop IFSC every Thursday from 11-3
Today was the First day for the Mobile Bike workshop at the IFSC, Dublin.
People loved the idea. The main objective was to make people aware that we are going to be there every Thursday from today onwards. That objective was made and people loved the idea. Thanks to Chris and Damian for their help.
Thanks to Bertie Kelly (NCIR) and everyone from HSG Zander for their support
We are going to be there every Thursday from 11am-3pm please contact me if you want to get your bike serviced.
We also sell bikes under the bike to work scheme. We also sell accessories.
Contact The Spokesman at 086 8545654 for anything that you may want.
People loved the idea. The main objective was to make people aware that we are going to be there every Thursday from today onwards. That objective was made and people loved the idea. Thanks to Chris and Damian for their help.
Thanks to Bertie Kelly (NCIR) and everyone from HSG Zander for their support
We are going to be there every Thursday from 11am-3pm please contact me if you want to get your bike serviced.
We also sell bikes under the bike to work scheme. We also sell accessories.
Contact The Spokesman at 086 8545654 for anything that you may want.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Nearly nine out of 10 accidents involving cyclists and cars in Australia are the fault of the motorist, new research has found.
AAP
Nearly nine out of 10 accidents involving cyclists and cars in Australia are the fault of the motorist, new research has found.
The research also recommends introducing new road rules enforcing safe passing distances for cars.
Drivers were at fault in 87 per cent of incidents with cyclists and most did not realise they had behaved in a reckless or unsafe manner, according to the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and The Amy Gillett Foundation.
Fifty-four events were recorded; including two collisions, six near-collisions and 46 other incidents.
The helmet camera study found that of the 54 incidents recorded, more than 88 per cent of cyclists travelled in a safe and legal way.
Conversely, drivers changing lanes and turning left without indicating or looking were the cause of more than 70 per cent of the incidents, Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive officer Tracey Gaudry said.
"We believe there is a strong argument to introduce a road rule that prescribes a safe passing distance (at least one metre), as well as further educating drivers that they need to indicate at least five seconds before changing lanes," she said.
The Amy Gillett Foundation is named after the 29-year-old Australian track cyclist who was killed in a training accident when a motorist crashed into a group of cyclists.
According to the foundation, bike sales in Australia have exceeded car sales for nearly a decade, with an average of 37 cyclists killed and more than 2,500 seriously injured annually and nationally.
Last week, Victoria Police cracked down on motorists and cyclists breaking the law in Melbourne's CBD, with seven cyclists killed on Victoria's roads, three more than this time last year.
AAP gr/gfr/de
Nearly nine out of 10 accidents involving cyclists and cars in Australia are the fault of the motorist, new research has found.
The research also recommends introducing new road rules enforcing safe passing distances for cars.
Drivers were at fault in 87 per cent of incidents with cyclists and most did not realise they had behaved in a reckless or unsafe manner, according to the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and The Amy Gillett Foundation.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The three-year study into cyclist safety on the roads used mounted video camera footage, as well as helmet-mounted cameras worn by cyclists, to determine the main causes of road accidents between cyclists and motorists.Fifty-four events were recorded; including two collisions, six near-collisions and 46 other incidents.
The helmet camera study found that of the 54 incidents recorded, more than 88 per cent of cyclists travelled in a safe and legal way.
Conversely, drivers changing lanes and turning left without indicating or looking were the cause of more than 70 per cent of the incidents, Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive officer Tracey Gaudry said.
"We believe there is a strong argument to introduce a road rule that prescribes a safe passing distance (at least one metre), as well as further educating drivers that they need to indicate at least five seconds before changing lanes," she said.
The Amy Gillett Foundation is named after the 29-year-old Australian track cyclist who was killed in a training accident when a motorist crashed into a group of cyclists.
According to the foundation, bike sales in Australia have exceeded car sales for nearly a decade, with an average of 37 cyclists killed and more than 2,500 seriously injured annually and nationally.
Last week, Victoria Police cracked down on motorists and cyclists breaking the law in Melbourne's CBD, with seven cyclists killed on Victoria's roads, three more than this time last year.
AAP gr/gfr/de
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