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A Basic step by step guide on how to degrease your drivetrain

How to degrease your drivetrain using some Muc-off degreaser

Materials Needed:

  • Muc-Off degreaser
  • Drivetrain Detailing Brush
  • Microfibre Cloth
  • Clean water

Steps:

  1. Rinse the drivetrain thoroughly with clean water1.
  2. Apply the Muc-Off degreaser to the chain. If you are using the aerosol can, you can cycle the cranks backwards to cover the whole chain with the cleaner1.
  3. Use the Drivetrain Detailing Brush to agitate any obvious grime. You can use the backwards pedalling method to quickly brush the whole chain1.
  4. Rinse the drivetrain thoroughly again with clean water. The cleaner and agitated grime should wash straight off1.
  5. Dry your chain by running it through a Microfibre Cloth1.
  6. Lubricate your chain. It is important to ensure your chain is protected from corrosion after cleaning1.

Pro Tip! Be careful when rinsing off your drivetrain that you don’t splash dirty grease onto your brake disks1.

This process will help remove dirt, grit, and other debris that might be prematurely causing your drivetrain to wear by grinding away at it1. It also degreases your chain, which means it removes all the old, dirty chain lube. This allows the fresh lube you apply to lubricate your chain better and saves you those precious watts1.

Remember, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using cleaning products. From all of us at Cycle-Ops Ltd Happy cycling! 🚴‍♂️

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A quick simple guide on how to change your inner tube.

This is a guide for a basic bicycle with V-brakes. The steps 3 to 8 are the same for bikes with other styles of brakes.

  1. Prepare Your Tools: You’ll need a new inner tube, tire levers, and a pump.
  2. Remove the Wheel: Release the V-brakes by pulling the brake cable out of the brake caliper. Then, loosen the wheel nuts with a wrench or quick-release lever to remove the wheel.
  3. Remove the Tire: Insert a tire lever under the bead of the tire and pry it up over the rim. Slide the lever around the rim to remove one side of the tire.
  4. Remove the Inner Tube: Reach inside the tire and pull out the inner tube. Remember to push the valve through the hole in the rim.
  5. Check the Tire: Inspect the inside of the tire and the rim to make sure there’s nothing sharp that could puncture your new inner tube.
  6. Insert the New Inner Tube: Inflate the new inner tube slightly so it holds its shape. Insert the valve through the hole in the rim, then tuck the rest of the tube into the tire.
  7. Replace the Tire: Starting at the valve, push the bead of the tire back inside the rim. Work your way around the tire, making sure the inner tube isn’t getting pinched.
  8. Inflate the Tire: Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure using your pump.
  9. Replace the Wheel: Put the wheel back on the bike, making sure it’s centered in the frame or fork. Tighten the wheel nuts or quick-release lever, and reconnect the V-brakes.

Remember, take your time and don’t force anything. If you’re having trouble, it’s always a good idea to take your bike to a professional. We are always happy to help you here at cycle-ops!

Happy cycling! 🚲

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Workshop Offer

We are pleased to offer you an exclusive workshop deal at Cycle-Ops in Tonbridge, your trusted local bike shop.

Take advantage of our special promotion and enjoy a 50% discount on all chains, regardless of the level of bike service required.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your cycling experience while saving money.

Visit us today and let our expert team take care of your bike needs.

Runs from 08/12 – 15/12

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SHIMANO SAFETY NOTICE CRANKSET INSPECTION PROGRAMME

Important Safety news and information on the Shimano crankset inspection.Starting 2nd October 2023

Bike shop kent shimano crankset safety recall notice crankset inspection programme

Call us or come into store ASAP

Shimano starts inspection and replacement programme

Shimano Europe B.V. (“Shimano”), starts an inspection and replacement program of selected bonded 11-speed HOLLOWTECH II road cranksets produced between June 1, 2012, up to and including June 30, 2019, for a possible bonding separation issue.

This inspection is designed to determine whether the crank arms show a possible bonding separation issue and to swiftly remove any possible safety hazard to our consumers. Not all ULTEGRA and DURA-ACE cranksets need to be inspected.  Only cranksets produced between June 1, 2012, up to and including June 30, 2019, need to be inspected.To remedy this situation, Shimano will have any applicable crankset inspected. Shimano will replace any crank arm that fails the inspection process.

How to tell if your crankset is affected.

STEP 1 – Identify the model number of your crankset

The affected products are DURA-ACE and ULTEGRA branded cranksets with the following model numbers: ULTEGRA FC-6800, FC-R8000 and DURA-ACE FC-9000, FC-R9100 and FC-R9100-P. The model numbers are stamped on the inside of the crank arm near the bottom of the arm (see yellow square in the image below).

STEP 1A– Identify the manufacturing code stamped on your crank arm

A manufacturing code is stamped on the inside of the crank arm near the bottom of the arm (see the blue square in the image above). The affected models are pre-July 2019 production and have the following two-letter production codes: KF, KG, KH, KI, KJ, KK, KL, LA, LB, LC, LD, LE, LF, LG, LH, LI, LJ, LK, LL, MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF, MG, MH, MI, MJ, MK, ML, NA, NB, NC, ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK, NL, OA, OB, OC, OD, OE, OF, OG, OH, OI, OJ, OK, OL, PA, PB, PC, PD, PE, PF, PG, PH, PI, PJ, PK, PL, QA, QB, QC, QD, QE, QF, QG, QH, QI, QJ, QK, QL, RA, RB, RC, RD, RE, and RF.

Does the manufacturing code on your crank arm match any of the two-letter productions codes above?

NO: The crankset is not affected.  No further action is required.

YES: Proceed to STEP 2.

STEP 2 – Bring the bike to us for inspection

Shimano has developed the crankset inspection process and will provide clear instructions and tutorials for dealers. Shimano anticipates that the inspections will be possible starting from OCTOBER 1, 2023.The dealer will inspect the crankset for signs of bonding separation or delamination.Consumers whose cranksets show signs of bonding separation or delamination during the inspection will be provided a free replacement crankset from Shimano that the dealer will professionally install. If your crankset needs replacement following the inspection, please do not use it. If a replacement crankset is temporarily unavailable, Shimano will notify you through your dealer when the replacement is ready.

The replaced crankset will be a special version, which may feature a different cosmetic appearance while maintaining the same level of performance.

bike shop kent

bicyle shop kent shimano crankset safety recall notice crankset inspection programme fc-6800 fc-r8000 fc-9000 fc-r9100 fc-r9100-p call now email now come into store now free inspection free replacement 01732500534 [email protected] cycle-ops ltd TN9 1BB
If you think your crankset is affected call us to arrange inspection.