Blackthorn Cycles — frequently asked

Frequently asked

Will you work on an old bike, or just sell me a new one?

We will work on it. About a third of what comes through the door is older than the mechanic working on it. The only time we say no is when a frame is cracked or a fork is bent, and then we say so plainly rather than quoting around it.

Do you quote before starting?

Always, and it is the one rule the shop does not bend. A job is looked at, quoted, and only started once you have said yes. If something else is found halfway through, the bike stops and you get a call before another cent is spent.

How long does a wheel build actually take?

Five working days if the rim is in stock, ten if it has to come in. The build itself is a couple of hours; the rest is letting the tension settle and re-checking it, which is the part that decides whether the wheel is still true next spring.

Is a workshop plan cheaper than paying as you go?

Commute pays for itself if you get more than two tunes a year, which most daily riders do. Ride is worth it the moment you use the full service. Workshop only makes sense with three or more bikes — with one, Ride is the honest answer.