Workshop and self assembly

Paul’s Cycles Limited has been supplying cycles to the public for over 20 years and supplying them mail order for over 15 years.

All cycles sold by Pauls Cycles Limited are set up in our fully equipped workshop. We are able to undertake any cycle related repair including: routine servicing, suspension fork tuning / repair, wheel building and frame repairs.

What is the difference between manufacturers boxed cycles and fully set up cycles?

Many of our competitors supply their cycles still sealed in the boxes from the manufacturer (unchecked and unassembled)

The main reasons for doing this is to reduce costs, by not having to pay a fully trained cycle mechanic in a workshop environment this cuts overhead costs.

1) Many companies offering bikes for sale do not have an actual shop, they sit at home and take your money and then just phone the factory to get them to send it directly to you, usually stating that all you need to do is put the handle bars on and screw the pedals in. This is certainly not the case!! They are under no circumstances ready to ride from the factory. Sending a factory boxed cycle costs far less while still in the manufacturer’s box (unassembled).

2) Any cycle not setup supplied direct to you in the manufacturers box will have no warranty. It is stated by all cycle manufacturers that unless the cycle is setup by a fully trained cycle mechanic that any warranties will be void.

3) Risk of damage / parts missing – if the cycle is supplied to you sealed in the manufacturers box they will not have been checked for any potential damage or parts missing. Should you find this is the case we usually find that you are responsible for sending the product back to them at your cost – or just put up with it! The lack of a returns policy can save the supplier around £40.00 in an instance such as this.

4) Be very aware that buying a factory sealed boxed bike is usually false economy unless you are a trained cycle mechanic, just ask the cycle supplier if the bike you’re buying comes with the tyres pumped up – if not they are almost certainly factory sealed and not setup and ready to ride.

Here at Pauls Cycles Limited, when your place your order we pick your cycle from our supplies and remove the cycle from its manufacturers box in its un tuned state, we then fully setup and inspect your cycle checking gear cables, bearings, spokes, tyres – in fact all parts supplied with the cycle. Occasionally cycles are supplied with headsets to press in or hydraulic disc brake kits to build up and fit. We also check the cycle for any sign of damage to paintwork etc.

This process can take a fully trained cycle mechanic up to an hour to do. – Just imagine receiving a box full of parts that require fitting!!

After setting up and checking your cycle we then re package the cycle in its original carton. Minor re-assembly is required at your end with just the front wheel to install along with the handlebars and pedals - by completing these easy steps you’re ready to ride!!

Refitting the front wheel

If for packaging reasons the front wheel has been removed from your cycle please ensure the quick release skewer (usually supplied in the box containing your owners manuals and pedals etc) is placed in the wheel axle correctly and position the wheel squarely within the fork dropouts. (please take care if your cycle is fitted with disc brakes that you insert the disc rotor between the two pads and not between the pad and piston) Hold one side of the quick release skewer, and turn the other end clockwise until finger tight. Lock the skewer by pushing it up or down to secure the wheel (you should feel resistance when locking the skewer to the closed position). Check that your brake pads are correctly aligned.

Straightening the handle bars

Turn the handle bars straight ahead to the normal riding position, ensuring that if the cycle has disc brakes fitted that the calliper is located on the left hand side of the cycle (as if you were sitting on it). Take care to avoid tangling any hoses or cable for the gears or brakes.

Most modern adult cycles have what is called an 'a-head' stem and headset system fitted – if this is the case simply align the front wheel and handlebars and tighten the bolt(s) on the side of the stem. Don not tighten the bolt that is on top of the stem as this only preloads the bearings in the headset - Damage WILL occur if this is overtightened!

If your cycle has the traditional quill type of stem then align the handlebars and front wheel and firmly tighten the allen key bolt in the top of the handlebar stem.

Fitting the pedals to your cycle.

In order to fit the pedals to the cycle locate the left and right pedals – they are clearly marked on the ends of the axles L(for left) and R (for right). This is as if you were sitting on the cycle (R is the drive side). Start by screwing the pedals in by hand – check that you are screwing the pedals in straight – there should be no resistance in doing this and then tighten fully with a dedicated pedal spanner.

Pauls Cycles cannot be held responsible for damage caused to cranks by improper installation of pedals. Pedals will only fall out of cranks if they have not been sufficiently tightened and therefore cannot be covered by warranty, pedals and cranks should be checked periodically to ensure they remain tight

Disc brakes
All bikes fitted with disc brakes will require time to bed the pads and rotors in. It is not uncommon for disc brakes to rub or scrape slightly during this process. You will find a dramatic increase in braking performance after this initial break in time (usually between 5-10 hours of braking)