FIX YOUR OWN BIKE: cable rim brakes and back gears

FIX YOUR OWN BIKE: cable rim brakes and back gears

Cleaning wheel rims and brake pads; replacing brake pads; replacing cables on brakes and gears; adjusting brakes and gears

By Back In The Saddle Bikes

Date and time

Saturday, May 10 · 10am - 4pm GMT+1

Location

BITSB bespoke workshop

Inside Access Storage 592 London Road Hounslow TW7 4EY United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 2 days before event

Agenda

Agenda
Untitled agenda

Class syllabus


Brakes Syllabus Cleaning existing pads and wheel rims as part of a regular maintenance regime Replacing pads if the existing ones are too worn or contaminated for cleaning to be worthwhile Removing...

About this event

  • Event lasts 6 hours

Please be sure to read this class overview in full before booking your place.

A lot of the bikes we see here at the Back In The Saddle Bikes workshop have problems with both their brakes and gears. If you're looking for a hands-on class that will give you the knowledge and confidence to fix these sorts of problems yourself, this is it.

In terms of brakes, the class deals with rim brakes (not disc brakes) and how to clean wheel rims and brake pads as part of a regular maintenance regime, as well as replacing pads if the existing ones are too worn or contaminated for cleaning to be worthwhile. Rim brake types suitable for this session are V-brake, cantilever, dual pivot and side pull. We'll show you how to replace brake inner and outer cables too, and adjust the brakes and cables to get the most effective, reliable braking possible.

When it comes to gears, this class covers how to clean and maintain a rear-derailleur set up. As parts will eventually need to be replaced, it also takes you through fitting new inner and outer cables followed by setting the limit screws (which stop the chain falling off, for example) and cable tension to give you optimal gear changes every time.

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately, we're unable to accommodate ebikes, tricycles, recumbents, tandems or cargo bikes in this class.

The class starts at 10am, finishes at 4pm, and there's a break for some lunch.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the lunch break usually, and do I need to bring my own food?

The lunch break is normally 30-40 minutes and there are some cafes and other shops nearby where you can buy food. If you have any special dietary requirements, you're probably best off bringing a packed lunch. You can eat in the workshop, the local park, etc (Thornbury Park is just across the road).

Can I come to class by bike but work on a demo bike instead?

Yes, that's fine if you'd prefer to do that. Not everyone wants to work on their own bike during the class.

How do I get to the BITSB workshop?

Getting to the BITSB workshop inside Access Storage is easy. If you're coming by bus, there are stops for the E8, H37, 117, 235 and 237 just 30 seconds away from Access. If you're coming by train, the nearest stations are Isleworth and Osterley (Osterly is on the Piccadilly Line tube).

If my bike needs a lot of work, can I work on it during the class?

If the bike is clean and not in too bad a shape, you can work on it in the class. If it's dirty or needs a lot of work just to get the gears working at a basic level (a new derailleur or new shifter, for example), then it would need to be booked in for repairs or a service ahead of the class.

Does this class deal with disc brakes?

No, this class does not deal with disc brakes at all. It covers only rim brakes, with the types suitable for this class being V-brake, cantilever, dual pivot and side pull. This class does not cover Magura hydraulic rim brakes, only cable-actuated rim brakes.

Does this class deal with electronic shifting or hub gears?

No, this class only covers typical mechanical rear derailleur gear set-ups.

Can I drive to the BITSB workshop?

If you're coming by car there is sometimes parking available on the forecourt in front of the Access building but this can't be guaranteed. There is paid-for additional parking in nearby roads like Thornbury Road, for example.

Can I cycle to the BITSB workshop?

Yes, and if you're riding, bring your bike into the workshop with you and you'll usually be able to work on it yourself during the class. If you'd prefer to work on one of our demo bikes instead, that's also fine.

Can I bring an ebike to this class?

Unfortunately, we're unable to accommodate ebikes, tricycles, recumbents, tandems or cargo bikes in this class.

My bike has electronic shifting. Can I still bring it to the class?

No, this class is intended for bikes with mechanical shifting only (where derailleurs are controlled using traditional inner and outer cables).

Organized by

Workshops take place at our site at 592 London Rd Isleworth TW7 4EY.

www.backinthesaddlebikes.co.uk