Presale preparation
At Sidcup Cycles all our bicycles from pavement to adult sizes under go a through series of adjustments to ensure that your purchase a works well and you get maximum enjoyment. We also offer a free after sales check. The majority of cycle shops offer a similar after sales check after one month. At Sidcup Cycles, We appreciate that not everyone will have the time to ride their new bikes enough to 'bed in' their bicycle after one month. So we offer a two month period at the end of which we invite you to return your bicycle for inspection and adjustment.*
*Not covered are punctures, accidental damage, and neglect.
The right bike and the right size of bike
We believe that the fit to your bike is the most important variable in selecting your bicycle. Whether you want more comfort, more efficient pedalling, the perfect frame size, injury prevention or all of the above, there's nothing more effective than a correct fit. If you are choosing a bicycle for your child; or you are looking to cycle to work; setting yourself a personal fitness challenge, when you buy a bicycle from Sidcup Cycles, we will freely give you our expert advice to find the right type and size of bicycle.
To perfect our advice, we use a fitting system developed in Cologne, Germany, called Bodyscanning CRM. This system is already used in successful bikes shops, extensively across western Europe and North America. The secret to its success is that it is gender specific and uses a sophisticated program that that allows for personal preferences, such a steering position, suspension set up, muscular flexibility. For more information go to http://www.bikecomfort.com/
Bike servicing
If you commute to work, are out for a sociable ride, or training for a race, a well maintained bike is a joy to ride and unlikely to break down on you. Plus the components last longer, thus saving you money.
If you have the time and knowledge, much maintenance can be carried out at home. With a few essential tools, and a workstand, you can achieve a lot. If you looking for help, then we have a small selection of bicycle maintenance books, or sign up for one of our bike maintenance courses.
The mechanics at Sidcup Cycles are second to none. Bicycles are our passion and our lives. All the mechanics are trained to the highest standards in the cycle industry. Every one of them has a Cytech or Weldtech qualification. All work undertaken is accountable, and we keep a record of all the work carried out on your bike to ensure you get the most out of the manufactures guarantees.
Sidcup Cycle Centre is a recognised service centre for the following leading brands: Shimano; Campagnolo; Cube; Claude Butler; Dahon; Felt; Raleigh; Ridgeback.
We try to repair punctures on the spot, and we offer a same day repair by appointment. There is no need to book your bike in advance with us. Just call, and in most cases we can offer an immediate estimate of repair, or recommend which of our set services will best suit you. Our normal workshop turn around time is 3-5days.
Our opening times are Monday-Friday 9.00-5.30pm. Late night opening on Thursdays until 7.00pm. Saturday 9.00-5.00. Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays (Except Good Friday)
First service free of charge
Our bicycles under go a detailed thirty point service. But even allowing for this high level of presale preparation, a new bike will undergo some bedding in. One such area is 'cable stretch' when the gears no longer change smoothly and quickly. This service should be carried out with the first eight weeks of purchasing the bike (dependant on usage). Internet customers should make arrangements with their local independent specialist bike shop, for this check to be carried out, (normally there will be a small charge for the service).
Frequency of servicing
In addition to your first free service we offer essentially four set services. A mail order assembley; stage 1; stage 2 and stage 3 services.
A Mail Order Assembly: if you have purchased your bike via mail order, it will need to be checked and assembled by a qualified mechanic. This ensures your new bike is safe and works properly. Most people aren't aware that self assemble will void your manufactures warranty.
A Stage1 Service is recommended for a bicycle that is in reasonable condition, but a little neglected. This is recommended every 9-12 months dependant on usage.
A Stage2 Service is for heavily soiled bikes, and where there are issues with brakes, gears and bearing areas. This is recommended every 12-18 months dependant on usage.
A Stage3 Service is a full service. We will disassemble your bike (excluding wheels and suspension components) back to the bare frame and forks. All the components are hand cleaned; this is recommended annually for a regular commuting cyclist, or bi-annually for a semi regular cyclist. A free loan of a hire bicycle is available with this service upon request and subject to availability.
For full details of our set services see our service prices section.
General Information
- On all our set services, the bicycles are road tested for they are signed off.
- We offer to estimate the cost of a repair where the work is simple. In complicated cases, where a closer inspection is required or the customer requests a detailed quotation, the bicycle would need to be left with us.
- Where we undertake repair work and the costs looks likely to increase more than 20% above our estimate, work will stop to seek the owners' decision.
- If we come across an un-expected problem, work will stop, until will have the owners permission to continue.
- Where the customer has supplied parts to be used, and this causes in a delay or incompatibility component problems, that results in the workshop not being able to complete the work, a small charge may be made if the workshop has to abandon the work whilst a remedy is sought.
- We will add a surcharge of 20% to the specific labour cost to fit that component.
- For Health and Safety reasons, we reserve the right to clean the bike before undertaking work - this will either be identified at time of booking, or may be done by the mechanic at their discretion.
- We undertake to contact the customer immediately after work has been completed. We will further undertake to remind the customer if the bicycle remains uncollected after one week. After this time a storage charge may be levied.
Delays and Loan Bicycles
We have a small collection of curtsey loan bicycles. These are offered free of charge if:
- A collection date has been agreed and we are unable to meet it.
- If the customers only form of transport is their bicycle.
Where we have loaned a bicycle, the customer accepts responsibility for its safe keeping and will be held accountable for any loss or damage. After notification of the completion of repairs, we would expect the loan bicycle to be returned to us within four days. Failure to return a loan bicycle in this time will result in a hire charge being levied.
