OT: Bicycle repairs

[Old_pie]

After 50yrs I've acquired a bicycle and am trying to use it. (A Villiger with Shimano STX for anyone that's interested and on a 62mm frame which I've since discovered is X-Large, I'm just short of 6' and can only just get on even with saddle right down - but it is a comfortable ride height)

I know there's been inflation but the bike needs a bit of work and nothing is like I remember it. I had new tyres fitted at a bike shop yesterday and I could have got two car tyres for the same price. They said that the bottom bracket needs replacing (it is a bit wobbly) and 50yrs ago I'd have done it myself. Now I need to buy a tool to take it out and another tool to put it back in, plus the faff of making sure the gear alignment isn't upset so I asked how much - 50 quid!! Well if I'd know that before I bought the tyres I might just have gone for a new or new secondhand (if you know what I mean) bike.

I'd only just replaced the 7 speed gear shifter having made the mistake of taking the old one apart 'cause it was sticking a bit. It was only once it was in bits that I saw a YouTube video saying just to spray lots of degreaser and NOT to take it apart.

Anyway - that's the end of the moan.

Any recommendations for a place to get sensibly priced repairs done or has it all got too specialist? Handy cycling distance (for an old man) from Mapperley or thereabouts would be handy.

PS - when I last had a bike I lived in Hucknall and occasionally would cycle with a couple of friends to Mapperley just to get the exercise of going up and down hills! Now I can get down to Mansfield Rd no problem - might need to add an electric motor to get back up again

[countygump]

After 50yrs I've acquired a bicycle and am trying to use it. (A Villiger with Shimano STX for anyone that's interested and on a 62mm frame which I've since discovered is X-Large, I'm just short of 6' and can only just get on even with saddle right down - but it is a comfortable ride height)

I know there's been inflation but the bike needs a bit of work and nothing is like I remember it. I had new tyres fitted at a bike shop yesterday and I could have got two car tyres for the same price. They said that the bottom bracket needs replacing (it is a bit wobbly) and 50yrs ago I'd have done it myself. Now I need to buy a tool to take it out and another tool to put it back in, plus the faff of making sure the gear alignment isn't upset so I asked how much - 50 quid!! Well if I'd know that before I bought the tyres I might just have gone for a new or new secondhand (if you know what I mean) bike.

I'd only just replaced the 7 speed gear shifter having made the mistake of taking the old one apart 'cause it was sticking a bit. It was only once it was in bits that I saw a YouTube video saying just to spray lots of degreaser and NOT to take it apart.

Anyway - that's the end of the moan.

Any recommendations for a place to get sensibly priced repairs done or has it all got too specialist? Handy cycling distance (for an old man) from Mapperley or thereabouts would be handy.

PS - when I last had a bike I lived in Hucknall and occasionally would cycle with a couple of friends to Mapperley just to get the exercise of going up and down hills! Now I can get down to Mansfield Rd no problem - might need to add an electric motor to get back up again

http://wooshbikes.co.uk

[keldsyke]

There’s a couple of shops in the frame, but at the moment I can’t get a handle on it. I think they are a chain, There is a few to steer clear of though, I’ll try and remember and then it will be all downhill from there.

[navypie]

I always take my bikes to Aladdin's top of Ilkeston Road near Canning Circus , reasonable prices and bike enthusiasts so do a really good job, not like the kids at Halfords.

[Big Bob]

This is the guy you need

https://youtu.be/U01xasUtlvw

[Old_pie]

This is the guy you need

https://youtu.be/U01xasUtlvw

That one will do nicely thanks - but no instruction on how to contact him I've tried shouting "Help - my bicycle is broken!" from the top window but nothing happened. I hope he's not gone deaf

[Old_pie]

http://wooshbikes.co.uk

Vrooomm - thanks, .. I think.