Kids' bike repair in Rochford

A child's bike has a hard life. It gets dropped on the drive, left out in the rain, thrown in the back of the car and ridden by someone who has not learned to be gentle yet. Brakes stretch, tyres go soft, chains rust and bolts work loose, and often nobody notices until the brakes don't work when they're needed.

Then they grow. A bike that fitted in spring can be a stretch by the summer holidays, and a saddle that is too low or bars too far away make it harder to control and much less fun. Bikes get handed down too, and a hand-me-down that has sat in a garage for a year needs a good look before anyone rides it.

Brakes. This is the big one. Small hands need the levers close enough to pull, and the brakes need to stop the bike firmly without grabbing. I check the pads, the cables and the lever reach, and adjust them until your child can stop with one or two fingers.

Tyres and wheels. I look for cracks, thin patches and low pressure, and check the wheels spin straight. Soft tyres are the usual reason a kid says their bike feels heavy.

Chain, gears and bolts. A dry, stretched chain makes pedalling hard work. I clean and oil it, check any gears, and go round every bolt so nothing rattles loose on the next ride.

Fit. I set the saddle and handlebars to your child's size, and leave you a note of where they are so you can see how much room to grow is left.

Kids don't stop growing just because it isn't service day, so every kids' service includes a free grow-with-me adjustment. I raise the saddle, move the handlebars and reset the brake reach so the bike suits the child riding it now, not the one who rode it last year. Book it in after a growth spurt and I'll do it again. A bike that fits will often last another season or two, which is easier on your purse.

Ready to lose the stabilisers? With the first-bike set-up I take the stabilisers off, fit the pedals, and lower the saddle so your child can put their feet flat on the ground. A bike that is set up right makes those first wobbly attempts a lot easier.

Pick a service, choose a day, and tell me about the bike. You can drop it off at the workshop in Canewdon for free, or I can collect and return it across Rochford District (Rochford, Rayleigh, Hockley, Ashingdon, Canewdon, Hawkwell, Hullbridge, Stambridge) for £30, both ways included. Booking two or more bikes? One collection covers them all, and the 10% family price comes off the bill.

If I find anything that needs a part, I message you with the price and a photo first. Nothing is fitted until you say yes. You pay when the bike is ready, not before. The minimum charge for a visit is £15.