Undercover Mechanic
Cycling Weekly's Undercover Mechanic will be publishing his thoughts on the state of the industry once a month. He's been working with bikes for over two decades, offering servicing on models from some of cycling's best (and worst) marques. You'll find him at all major trade shows and events, just don't expect him to make himself known.
Latest articles by Undercover Mechanic
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Undercover Mechanic: Cyclists have become very excited about aerodynamics without a correlated excitement for pilates - the result is a lot of spacers
90% of the front area is you, not the bike; having a kamtail downtube will make sod all difference if you’re unable to reach the bars, argues CW’s Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Anyone who claims one frame material is better than the others is misleading you
Your tyres and the amount of seatpost sticking out the top of the frame will have more influence, argues our Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Lifetime guarantees are pointless - but they sound good on marketing material
CW's Undercover Mechanic explores the differences between warranties, guarantees, and statutory rights
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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The Undercover Mechanic's best and worst from Eurobike 2024
The weird and wonderful intricacies of the bike industry are on full display at Eurobike...
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Undercover Mechanic: Cycling's wheel industry is riddled with marketing spiel, here's what you really need to look for in new wheels
I could launch a wheel company from my sofa in the space of 30-minutes, and many consumers would be hard pressed to tell the difference, claims our Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Undercover Mechanic: Contrary to popular belief, the bike industry is not collapsing - but disinformation is rife
The overstocking amid the Covid spike is problematic, but some businesses are thriving, argues our insider
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Undercover Mechanic: There's no tangible benefit in spending over £10,000 on a bike, but saying 'modern bikes are overpriced' is a lazy generalisation
It's all too common to hear customers say that road bikes are 'too expensive'. Some of them are - but value is in the eye of the beholder
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Undercover mechanic: ‘I was Just Riding Along’ are not the words your bike shop wants to hear
In my early days, working in a local bike store, we used to clock a good 'JRA' at least once a week
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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'Modern carbon frames are essentially large acoustic tubes': Undercover Mechanic and the problem with creaks
There is a point, during the diagnosis of a mystery creak, where your mechanic silently morphs into your therapist
By Undercover Mechanic Published
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Undercover mechanic: The cost of hidden cables is poor quality control, cheap components and astronomical maintenance fees
In our new series, the nameless fettler starts out with the modern bike mechanic’s most prolific bugbear
By Undercover Mechanic Published