For bike shops, brands, and insurers alike, we offer a complete workflow package to make the entire process easy.
How can retailers utilise your services and expertise? We have an excellent relationship with bike shops nationwide, independents and larger chains. The nature of our work means that, ordinarily, we require the bike to be fully stripped of components before any carbon repair or paintwork can take place. Our mechanics can take care of this in-house, but it is
beneficial for all parties if the owner’s usual bike shop or mechanic takes on the mechanical work, and then ships the frame to us. The bike shops get the related mechanical work, the customer benefits with the reduced shipping rates of sending just a frame instead of a full bike, and our workload is streamlined. Another added benefit is that the bike shops we work with can offer carbon inspection and repair as a service to their customers. Also, we are always more than happy to offer advice over the phone, which they can then pass on to their customers. Warranty Services - An added service we offer to larger chains and brands is warranty support. We restore damaged paintwork for frames under warranty, as well as restoration to damaged stock. We can also help on warranty claims that are unsuccessful and offer our services. Insurance Companies - We have developed a streamlined package especially for insurance companies. Once referred to us for inspection or repair, we arrange the transport of the bike to our workshop where we carry out a thorough inspection. A comprehensive report is then sent to the claim’s handler, and once authorised, the repairs are carried out and any parts ordered, ready for the rebuild. Once built and tested, the bike is returned to the owner. Industry consultancy - Over 15 years’ experience in the composites industry, and many years devoted solely to the inspection and repair of carbon bike frames, has given us a unique understanding of the subject, and an excellent position to assess both the design and manufacturing quality of the latest product. By dissecting sample frames and conducting detailed
post-production quality reports, we can highlight areas of concern, and recommend alternative approaches for a stronger product. Our customers range from brand leaders, race teams and start-up brands investing in their first open mould frames.
How important is carbon repair and recycling from a sustainability perspective? One of our main driving forces has always been the importance of repair and reuse, rather than adding to landfill. At the beginning it was much more difficult to reassure
www.bikebiz.com A Pinarello F12 frame, before and after repair
people that carbon can be safely repaired, the knowledge just wasn’t out there, but thankfully that trend has changed dramatically in recent years. Looking at numbers alone, if you can repair a carbon frame for £350 that would cost £3000 to replace, it makes sense. Another important thing about repair is that we can help
keep collectors’ bikes in top condition. Refurbishing classics like a Lotus 110 or Colnago C35 is extremely satisfying.
What are your plans for 2023 and beyond? We are working with Manchester University School of Engineering on an exciting diagnostic project that will support our inspection process. Afraid we can’t say more right now, it’s still early days. We are also rolling out our first micro-seminar in the form of a virtual workshop, which is free to any bike shops interested.
Can you tell us more about your seminars and events? Largely, carbon is still a bit of an unknown quantity in the cycling community. To combat this, we have designed a micro-seminar to help fill in some of the gaps and improve knowledge. In turn we’re hoping this will provide sales teams and mechanics with a better footing to advise and aid customers.
Aimed primarily at bike shops and mechanics, the virtual workshop will cover effective use of carbon in bike design and manufacturing, carbon components, and the most common causes and types of carbon damage that we see. There will also be a Q&A opportunity with one of our senior carbon repair technicians, enabling participants to ask questions specific to them and their customers. The workshop is online to make it as accessible as possible, it’s absolutely free, and takes about 30 minutes (plus Q&A). Give us a call, or email, if you are interested in booking a session. ●
April 2023 | 45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
