2014 Absa Cape Epic - Service Package Recommendations

[Vintage Vespa]

Hi Guys & Gals,

can anybody recommend a shop/s that they have used before for service packages at the Epic?

 

Cycle lab will not be doing it again in 2014.

 

any thoughts / commenst / suggestions would be appreciated?

 

Thanks & Cheers,

[T-man]

If Torqzone is there use them! I have not done the epic but man they are awesome....

[MuddyMike]

Speak to Eben at West rand Cycles - he has serviced riders at every Epic.

[kandui]

Save yourself the money and make sure your bike has the following a week before the Epic:

 

2 brand new tyres (take one spare for the team)

new front and back brake pads (take 2 sets of pads along as spare)

If brakes are a bit spongy, get them bled.

New cassette, chain and chain rings ( or not more than 2 months old). A spare rear derailleur for the team, if you can. Don't forget your derailleur hangers. At least one spare per bike.

Front and rear hub bearings have no play. Spokes are tight and wheels run true.

On a dual Sus, make sure the pivot bearings have no play. If any bearings have play, get them replaced.

 

Any mechanic at the Epic will accept walk-in clients, so why waste good money paying a retainer?

Nobody can foresee a frame crack or similar event-ending incident.

But, have your basics in place and your bike will be fine and the mechanic gets paid to turn your cranks, shift the gears and lube your chain. The bike wash is free and every single bike gets washed.

Set aside half an hour each day to do a basic check. Check the tyres for thorns and pull them out. Take some extra Stan's in case too much liquid squirts out.

Check all your bolts (handle bar, brake calipers, etc) and instead of checking how tight they are, turn them the opposite way. This way you avoid over tightening.

Wipe down the chain with a cloth thoroughly and apply lube, one roller at a time. Wipe off excess lube after 10 minutes.

Score your seat post with a knife (if Carbon, use some Tipp-Ex) to check your saddle height each day.

 

After 3 Epics I have seen how the mechanics (especially the big set-ups) work and I see no priority given to the guys that have paid for a package. Your bike becomes one of many and it might only be looked at at 4am when the mechanics are bleary-eyed , can't think straight and miss something. It has happened to me and it's annoying when it affects your ride and you know it was pure negligence.

 

I take my own work stand and a box of tools and spares along. If I can't help myself, I go and ask a mechanic nearby (I know a lot of the guys) for advice or book my bike in.

Anyone want to make use of my work stand and tools during Epic 2014, you're welcome. Find the Table Mountain Bikers/ Hansgrohe gazebo in Tweede Kamp and Bob's your uncle.

Edited November 12, 2013 by kandui

[GS Sport]

Save yourself the money and make sure your bike has the following a week before the Epic:

 

2 brand new tyres (take one spare for the team)

new front and back brake pads (take 2 sets of pads along as spare)

If brakes are a bit spongy, get them bled.

New cassette, chain and chain rings ( or not more than 2 months old). A spare rear derailleur for the team, if you can. Don't forget your derailleur hangers. At least one spare per bike.

Front and rear hub bearings have no play. Spokes are tight and wheels run true.

On a dual Sus, make sure the pivot bearings have no play. If any bearings have play, get them replaced.

 

Any mechanic at the Epic will accept walk-in clients, so why waste good money paying a retainer?

Nobody can foresee a frame crack or similar event-ending incident.

But, have your basics in place and your bike will be fine and the mechanic gets paid to turn your cranks, shift the gears and lube your chain. The bike wash is free and every single bike gets washed.

Set aside half an hour each day to do a basic check. Check the tyres for thorns and pull them out. Take some extra Stan's in case too much liquid squirts out.

Check all your bolts (handle bar, brake calipers, etc) and instead of checking how tight they are, turn them the opposite way. This way you avoid over tightening.

Wipe down the chain with a cloth thoroughly and apply lube, one roller at a time. Wipe off excess lube after 10 minutes.

Score your seat post with a knife (if Carbon, use some Tipp-Ex) to check your saddle height each day.

 

After 3 Epics I have seen how the mechanics (especially the big set-ups) work and I see no priority given to the guys that have paid for a package. Your bike becomes one of many and it might only be looked at at 4am when the mechanics are bleary-eyed , can't think straight and miss something. It has happened to me and it's annoying when it affects your ride and you know it was pure negligence.

 

I take my own work stand and a box of tools and spares along. If I can't help myself, I go and ask a mechanic nearby (I know a lot of the guys) for advice or book my bike in.

Anyone want to make use of my work stand and tools during Epic 2014, you're welcome. Find the Table Mountain Bikers/ Hansgrohe gazebo in Tweede Kamp and Bob's your uncle.

 

Now that is a interesting side to things. Great write up.

[Vintage Vespa]

hi kandui,

that is how i have been doing it on all three joberg2c's i have done!

the only issue i had was that the bikes dont get washed properly and the last one i snapped my hanger, so had to get someone to take a walk in, which was a bit difficult. luckily i had spare hangers and it was only gear aligning it and setting the gears.

let me think about this a bit more and maybe ill do the same at the epic!

any other thoughts / ideas?

[zuludog]

the last thing i felt like doing was washing and servicing bike after - it is very nice to give your bike to someone knowing that tomorrow its going to be nwashed and serviced ready to go. a friend did this for me. one of the guys i met there used Eben and was very happy.

[kandui]

hi kandui,

that is how i have been doing it on all three joberg2c's i have done!

the only issue i had was that the bikes dont get washed properly and the last one i snapped my hanger, so had to get someone to take a walk in, which was a bit difficult. luckily i had spare hangers and it was only gear aligning it and setting the gears.

let me think about this a bit more and maybe ill do the same at the epic!

any other thoughts / ideas?

 

Epic is a little more intense than the Joburg2c, but the principle is the same.

Convenience is great, but to pay R3500 and then have no issues, that's a waste of cash.

Rule No.1: Make sure your bike is in excellent running order before the Epic.

If anyone goes into the Epic with a bike that's not 100%, they are just plain stupid. No other way to put it.

 

At the Pioneer 3 weeks ago, you might have heard how much stuff got wrecked, everyone was accommodated by the mechanics. How many walk-ins did they get? There is always a spot.

 

As far as advice is concerned, I have plenty. But , do you want to hear all of it?

What concerns do you have?

[kandui]

the last thing i felt like doing was washing and servicing bike after - it is very nice to give your bike to someone knowing that tomorrow its going to be nwashed and serviced ready to go. a friend did this for me. one of the guys i met there used Eben and was very happy.

There's too much hype around how the Epic damages your bike. If you go into the event with your bike in good nick and you don't have some spectacular failure , you come out fine on the other end.

 

Your bike gets taken from you at the finish of the stage and washed. Then it's taken to the bike park.

 

There is a place for the mechanic package, but, you can also have the same experience without it. A mechanic at your beck & call is no guarantee for a better ride. For piece of mind it's good. I took the mechanic's package at my first Epic and Pioneer, but not in year 2,3 and 4. No regrets.

[Ryan]

Eben from West Rand is great, a mate used him and I used Complete Cyclist this year and they were amazing.

 

To be honest the peace of mind aspect is worth every cent, Complete Cyclist guys met me on the finish line every day and took my bike from me. They then delivered the bike to the bike park cleaned, serviced and 100% ready to ride.

 

The thought of sitting out in the dark and the rain trying to service my own bike after an eight hour day does not sound like fun to me.

[Vintage Vespa]

i am also a firm believer that you bike needs to be spot on prior to the event and has always done this irrespective of the race.

 

let me see what my partner says, but theink i might then just stick to my first thoughts!

[kandui]

Some teams club together and get their own mechanic who acts as driver, mechanic, errand boy, etc.

4 teams per mechanic is maximum.

Same goes for Massage.

[Carcarias1974]

There's too much hype around how the Epic damages your bike. If you go into the event with your bike in good nick and you don't have some spectacular failure , you come out fine on the other end.

 

Your bike gets taken from you at the finish of the stage and washed. Then it's taken to the bike park.

 

There is a place for the mechanic package, but, you can also have the same experience without it. A mechanic at your beck & call is no guarantee for a better ride. For piece of mind it's good. I took the mechanic's package at my first Epic and Pioneer, but not in year 2,3 and 4. No regrets.

 

Thanks Kandui! I suspect this advice just saved me some cash! I'll get you a beer at the end

[kandui]

Thanks Kandui! I suspect this advice just saved me some cash! I'll get you a beer at the end

Craft beer Please!

As I might have said somewhere else in this thread: You will always be able to "walk in" somewhere and get your bike fixed.

[Grant@TNT]

http://trailandtar.c...upport-package/