Cam MTB - the Cambridge Mountain Bikers' Forum

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DISCLAIMER. MOUNTAIN BIKING CAN BE DANGEROUS. YOU JOIN US AT YOUR OWN RISK.

SAFETY BRIEFING.

  • Wear a helmet. Despite recent advances in medical science, brains still cannot be mended nor replaced.
  • Wear gloves or mitts. Hands often hit the ground first. Cuts and grazes invite infection and a hospital visit.
  • Wear eye protection, it only takes a twig or thorn to lose an eye. Crud catchers are a good idea in mucky weather.
  • When downhilling, for your own protection, allow plenty of space behind the rider in front.
  • Bring a bare minimum emergency tool kit and a spare inner tube.
  • Breakdowns are a bore. Plan not to have any by ensuring your bike is in perfect working order.
  • Punctures are also tedious. You can minimise them by fitting latex tubes, slime tubes or running tubeless tyres.
  • Don't ride too close to the person in front. If they crash into a badger, you'll need time to swerve.

Photo: CAMMTB Winter 2024 rides have been posted up - please click on the Runs List link.

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Best Local Bike Shop?

Hi,

Maxine's bike is meant to turn up soon, (but I personally think the ship is going to be late), and it needs a service. I have heard that JT cycles in Ely is okay, and they claim to be able to do things like fork, shock and hydraulic brake servicing... I thought I would probably send the fork and shock to TF tuned, unless people can vouch for somewhere nearby as doing a good job (including on a brain shock), but I would like to get the rest of the bike and the brakes serviced locally. Do any of you have recommendations?

Cheers!

Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

Hi Jason,

JT cycles is very good and a few of the group have had their forks serviced there. Jerry can take a little while to complete the servicing if he's busy but I hear that he's quite detail conscious.

I had my Whyte serviced at the place that I bought it - Ben Haywards - but at the Horningsea shop rather than in the city. I may be wrong but I think that the servicing at the city shop may be more oriented toward commuter bikes rather than the specialist end of the market.

I had my Litespeed serviced at Light Blue in Chesterton Road when Mark Tallack managed it and they did a fine job.

Can't vouch for anywhere else as I've not used them.

In terms of shock servicing, I've used Mojo for my Fox shocks and Pace for my Pace forks, all with good results. Pace now cater for most brands. You'll find only a few quid separate the servicing prices at these places so it's best to go on service quality.

All the best

Pasty Tom

Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

Argh! Not Ben Haywards (for me anyway). I am never going there again after my last experience (this is the one in Horningsea). The guy who runs it (the older guy who is usually in the main shop in town) is really nice, but the mechanics were just rude and not very good.

I have never been to JT cycles, I have heard it is good, but the guy who runs it is a bit eccentric?

I use Station Cycles in Histon now for any fixing I need doing.

For shock servicing I have only ever used TF Tuned (v good)


Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

I'm with Claire on this one. My last two experiences with the mechanics at Ben Hayward's in Horningsea were not very positive and I would not use them again. A shame because they are very convenient for me.

Last time I needed anything doing I went to Station Cycles in Histon and was very impressed with the service. They were busy so it pays to book work in. They also have plenty of parking which is a big plus.

Paul

Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

I've started using the shop in Longstanton for things like frame facing and headset cup installation.

http://www.biketobe.com/

Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

Station Cycles in Histon, seem good chaps, have the tools & knowledgable about the techi stuff...... unless you want huge amounts of grief chasing Jerry (JT) up.
Townsends are good for your 'Bread and butter' type cycling requirements

Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

Thanks very much for the feedback!
I think that I'll either go with Mojo or TF tuned for the fork and shock (I should be able to post them together I think) and it sounds like Station Cycles in Histon is the consensus, so I'll give them a call and get them to do the rest of the bike. Are they all good with hydraulic brakes? I can bleed them myself if need be, but it's going in for a service anyway, I may as well let it be someone else's problem :)
After that, off to the peak district to find something to ride that might not undo the service in 15 seconds through muddyness!

Thanks again,
Jason

Re: Best Local Bike Shop?

+1 for Station Cycles, I think the one guy there is called Dave, and he's pretty good.

Ben Haywards (in Cambridge, not Horningsea) told me to replace a chain when it didn't really have much wear on it, so I think they're a bit clueless.