Welcome to Jake's Bikes...
Reconditioned and recycled bicycles for sale and affordable servicing and repairs
Our aim is to help as many people as possible to lead a healthier, more environmentally friendly and happier lifestyle through enabling and promoting cycling. By providing recycled bikes, affordable maintenance and repairs, and good old-fashioned service and pragmatic advice, Jake's Bikes supports and encourages cycling for all.
"Jake is a genuine individual who wants to help you spend as little as possible on repairs of your bike, helps you to undertake basic repair yourself, engages with you on a personal level and is most importantly the most switched on bike mechanic ever."
John Willmore, Bristol - 19th August 2008
Tip of the month: Check your wheels for wear
Did you know that wheels wear out in the same way that brake blocks do? Modern wheel rims are made from aluminium, a relatively soft material which over time can wear thin enough to be a safety hazard because the wheel rim becomes too weak to cope with the tyre pressure. In extreme cases the wheel rim will split or explode, a terrifying prospect on a moving bike!
To check for rim wear inspect the braking surface closely, running your finger up and down the smooth silver section of the wheel where the brake block runs. Many newer rims have a thin groove built into the braking surface which acts as a rim wear indicator: if your rim used to have a groove which has now worn away, it is probably time for replacement. On older rims without a wear indicator, if the braking surface is worn unevenly or is concave rather than flat, it may be time for new rims or wheels. If in doubt, bring your bike in for a free estimate - we have a special gauge to measure the amount of material remaining intact in the rim wall, allowing us to tell you whether the wheel is safe or suspect.
When wheel rims are worn beyond the safe limit there are two options: new rims or new wheels. If the hub and spokes are in good condition it is possible to re-rim a wheel, normally for about £40 to £60, so on a high quality bike this can be a cheaper option than wheel replacement. On cheaper bikes, or if the hub or spokes are worn out, it makes better sense to replace the whole wheel - Jake's Bikes stocks new wheels priced at between £35 and £65, an some lightly worn used wheels from £15.