Services
What kind of work can we do for you?
Brakes
The most critical part of any bike is the ability to stop safely, so a well set-up brake system is essential.
Although some retailers and manufacturers will try to sell bikes with one type of brake or the other, for the average rider, the type of brake is less important than quality of the parts and if it's set-up properly.
At Cycle The 6ix we have experience with all common brake types and will make sure you can stop safely and securely in all weather.
Linear-Pull/V-Brakes
These are far and away the most common type of brakes on consumer bikes. They're long-lasting, durable, and when set-up properly, provide excellent stopping performance even when wet.
Caliper Brakes
These are the standard on drop-bar road bikes. Modern calipers are typically "dual-pivot", giving them stopping power comparable to Linear-Pull brakes. Older calipers include "top-pull" and "single-pivot".
Mechanical Disc Brakes
These started on pro mountain bikes, but have been trickling down to consumer bikes, and have even jumped to road bikes. Despite marketing, an average rider will see minimal benefit over linear-pull brakes.
Single-pivot caliper Brakes
Coaster (Pedal) Brake
Cantilever Brakes
Cantilevers were the standard on older mountain, hybrid, and cyclo-cross bikes. While they don't have quite the stopping power of more modern brakes, and are tricky to set up well, they are very reliable and excel in muddy and extreme conditions.
Most bikes with these can be upgraded to linear-pull brakes at a minimal cost.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Hydraulics seem similar to mechanical disc brakes at a glance, but function similar to car brakes. They provide maximum stopping power and are highly resistant to weather, but require special tools & knowledge for anything more than routine maintenance. Quality disc brakes are cost prohibitive and not needed for average riders.
Center-Pull Caliper/U-Brake
Both operate the same mechanically, only the mounting is different.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain is the part of your bike that makes it "go"!
Everything between the pedals and the rear wheel is a part of connected system with many moving parts that make it possible for you to get where you're going. Many riders ignore problems with their drivetrain and don't realize how much a simple tune-up can improve shifting.
In addition, regular maintenance can ensure longevity and catch problems before a failure happens while riding.
We have the knowledge to get your drivetrain running in tip-top shape and keep it running for years to come.
We also specialize in making sure you have the correct drivetrain setup to match your riding habits!
Front & Rear Derailleurs
These need regular cleaning and the occasional tune-up for optimal gear shifting, although many sub-entry-level bikes come with very rudimentary derailleurs that while functional, will never shift particularly well.
Crankset & Chainrings
Chainrings are the gears at the front of the drivetrain, and while mid-range and higher bikes tend to have cranksets with replaceable chainrings, entry-level and below tend to be single-piece construction.
Cassette/Freewheel Cogset
The gears attached to the rear wheel are called cogs, and generally come in a "cassette" on better quality bikes, and a "freewheel cogset" on lower-end bikes. For an average rider there is little difference.
Chain
Often overlooked, a good quality and well-maintained chain are critical to both reliability and quality of ride.
Your chain setup should be matched to your intended bike usage, to ensure longevity and reliability.
Bottom Bracket
A part of the drivetrain rarely seen by riders, the bottom bracket is what connects your crankset to your bike frame, and is one of the hardest working parts of any bike. They need regular maintenance or replacement to avoid "pedal wobble" and failure.
Cockpit & Fitment
The cockpit of your bike is the parts you touch. They define how you fit on your bike and have a huge impact on how comfortable your ride will be. What works for one rider might not work for another, and that's why making your cockpit work for you is so important.
We have access to a wide array of grips, handlebars, pedals, saddles, and more, with the expertise to set your cockpit up to fit you.
Saddle & Seatpost
One of the biggest complaints from inexperienced riders is being saddle-sore. Riders will often mount softer saddles but this rarely solves the problem.
A comfortable saddle is one that fits your anatomy correctly, transferring your weight to your "sit bones" and away from sensitive areas.
A the correct seatpost will help position that saddle in the optimal place.
Bars, Stems, Grips, Shifters & Levers
The stem and handlebars effect not only the position of your hands, but the handling and stability of your ride. They can make your steering quick and agile, or relaxed and comfortable.
Grips help absorb vibration and avoid "numb hands".
Shifters and brake levers come in several types, (often as a single unit) and must be matched to your brakes and derailleurs.
Pedals & Cranks
A more subtle change than the others in this category, most casual riders aren't even aware that crank arms come in different lengths. This variation can help make rides more comfortable.
Pedals are another often overlooked component. Depending on the conditions your ride in and the footwear you prefer, the right pedal can make a big difference in ease of pedaling.
Other
Aside from the work listed above, there's so much more we can do. Let us know what your project needs and we'll do our best to make it happen!
Wheel Truing & Hub Service
Got a wobble? We can fix that. Broke a spoke or two? We can fix that too. Bad bearings? No problem. We can repair most wheel issues quickly and efficiently.
We can even build new wheels to your specifications.
Single Speed Conversions & Custom Builds
Sometimes the bike of your dreams needs to be built, not bought.
From converting a vintage mountain bike into a slick single-speed urban bike (above right), or a custom touring or bikepacking rig (above left), we can do it.