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FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Sending a bike to us for inspection as part of an insurance claim?
Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about the process.



Can't find the answer you're looking for?
  • How do I book my bike in for repairs?
    Contact us for an estimate. Send via courier, or drop it off with us. We will carry out an inspection and confirm your quote. Fill out our repair authorisation form. Don’t worry, it’s short and can be done online. Sit back while we fix your frame. We’ll give you an estimated completion date. Work complete! As soon as we’re finished we’ll let you know and send some photos, along with the invoice. Pay any outstanding balance. This can be done online using a card, by BACS, or in person if collecting. On your bike! Await delivery by our courier or collect in person.
  • How do I get a quote?
    Contact us for an estimate, and we’ll get back to you asap. • Send photos of the damage taken from different angles and levels of zoom. • Tell us how it happened. • Include contact details.
  • How long will it take?
    INSPECTIONS Our inspection process is very thorough and can take up to 3 hours to complete. However, the standard turnaround time for full bike inspections is 1–2 weeks. As soon as we receive your bike, we put it into the queue for inspection and provide you with an estimated completion date. We understand that your bike is important to you, and our team works diligently to ensure that it is inspected thoroughly and efficiently. If you have any further questions regarding our inspection process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. REPAIRS We always strive to complete all repairs as quickly as possible without compromising quality. However, the time it takes for your bike frame to be repaired will depend on several factors, including the volume of work we have in and the complexity of the repair. On average, it can take between 2 and 4 weeks to repair a frame. Please note that this timeframe does not include any additional work you may have asked us to do, such as an inspection or mechanic services. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to get your bike frame back to you as soon as possible.
  • Do you offer a warranty?
    Yes, we are that confident in our work that we offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty on our carbon repairs. For more details about our warranties, see our Warranty page. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • What needs to be stripped off my bike?
    This depends on the work we're doing for you, but general rule of thumb is... Carbon Repair, Cosmetic Repair & Respray: - Everything except the bottom bracket, unless it's a full respray. Inspections & Ultrasounds: - As much as you can. We'll remove anything else if we need to. Basically, we don't want anything that we're not repairing. Why? Mostly because the components limit access and manoeuvrability, but they also pose a contamination risk for our repair.
  • How do you check carbon bikes/frames are safe?
    We use a variety of inspection methods to assess the safety of bikes and carbon parts such as thorough visual inspection carried out by our experienced carbon repair technicians and mechanics, internal inspection using endoscopes and magnifiers, acoustic emissions testing, and ultrasound. We take your safety very seriously, which is why an average full bike inspection takes around 3 hours to complete.
  • I’ve been in a crash and can’t see any damage, but I’m still nervous about using my bike now…what should I do?
    If you are concerned about the safety of your bike, and would like peace of mind to continue riding, then we would recommend either a frameset inspection, or full bike inspection. Our inspections are supported by ultrasound, which is utilised to disclose hidden damage such as cracks or delamination beneath the paint. The choice is yours and will likely depend on the kind of incident you have had, just give us a call to discuss the options.
  • Can you be 100% sure that my bike is safe following inspection?
    No testing method is 100% infallible. Our technicians are highly experienced and have over 20 years of carbon repair between them. We know carbon, and we know bikes, and so will always do the very best we can to ensure that our inspections are carried out thoroughly. Ultimately, we will never put a bike back on the road that we wouldn’t ride ourselves.
  • Can carbon be safely repaired?
    Absolutely. There are some situations in which a safe repair will not be possible, or that it might not be economically viable to carry out, but these are few and far between. "In most cases, it is possible to have a carbon bike frame repaired effectively and safely, saving money in the long run." - Cycling Weekly, 2015 "That beautiful carbon frame is easily repaired, provided it is administered to by the right hands." - Velo News, 2011.
  • Will my bike ride differently?
    No. If a repair would result in any change to the inherent characteristics of the frame in any way, we will not repair it. Depending on the nature of the repair, there may be the need for additional reinforcement, which may add some weight to your bike, but we are talking grams not kilos. It is important to note that new paint work does require some time to cure before it achieves full strength, so please try and be careful for the first few months.
  • Will my bike look the same as before?
    This depends on the paint refinishing option that you choose, but it almost always can be returned to how it was before the damage. You can find out more about our paint refinishing options here.
  • Does the repair make it stronger than before?
    A good repair will return your frame to how it was originally. Adding too much additional material can cause problems of its own. Our Carbon Repair Technicians will do what's best to ensure a safe and long lasting repair.
  • How much will a repair cost?
    To find out roughly how much your repair will cost, we will need to see some pictures of the damage, but obviously we can’t be sure until we have examined your frame ourselves. Once we get a look at in first hand, we’ll confirm with you before proceeding. Your choice of paint finish can also affect the cost, so there are options open depending on your budget and preference.
  • Do you need a deposit?
    No, we will only invoice you for any shipping or special order parts charges at the beginning, the rest is not due until work is complete. Please note that payment is required before we can release any items.
  • When is payment due?
    Unless we need to special order any parts for you, payment is not due until work is complete. Please not that we cannot release any items until payment has been received.
  • Can I post my frame to you?
    Of course! You have 3 options here: Let us sort it out for you by using our courier, see our Shipping page for more details. You can arrange it yourself with a courier of your choice. Just give us a heads up on when to expect it, and include your contact details in the box. Drop it in with our local bike shop, Twelve50 Bikes in Frodsham, and we'll pick it up from there. Attach your contact details to it please. Whichever option you choose, please visit our Shipping page for more details about what we want and don't want, along with tips on how to package your frame safely for transit.
  • How much does a courier cost?
    We use APC Overnight, and a rough guide to prices can be found here on our Shipping page. Insurance available upon request, please ask for a quote. We can also quote for sending your bike case if you'd prefer.
  • Can I send you my e-bike?
    Absolutely, but the battery must be removed first. Unfortunately, due to the volatility of lithium-ion batteries, our insurance will not allow us to store them within our premises. We are also not legally permitted to ship lithium-ion batteries with our courier. For these reasons, we regret that we cannot accept e-bikes with their batteries, they must be removed before the bike is sent to us If we do receive an e-bike with battery in place, we will not be able to return it with our courier. In the event of this occurring, we will notify you so that you can arrange for a specialist courier to return the e-bike (with battery). The battery will be stored in a secure outdoor location until the collection is due, when it will be fitted ready for transit. If the battery cannot be removed, we would be forced to store your whole bike outside of our building.
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