Here is a few pics taken this past month starting with my daughter opening the shop one sunny April morning.

Using a Dremel tool to file the limit screw stop to clear the front derailleurs riveted frame mount. The previous compact crank worked, but my customers small frame wouldn’t accept a 53/39 without some clearance.

Success!

Yes, we can do that!

Maine weather forces cyclist to ride on indoor trainers. This is a result of sweat corroding anything susceptible. New bolts and appropriate grease was reinstalled.

Tricks of the trade.

One reason why your shifting is inconsistent. Cables and housing should be replaced yearly.

Some careless mechanic built this before it came in our shop for a tune. Attention to detail is what Freeman’s provides. It is paramount.

A broken barrel adjustor needed to be removed from the frame. A long drill bit to get to a hard spot.

Frayed shifter housing caused from forcing the shifter when it doesn’t move how you want it to. More than likely dirt and grit is interfering or something mechanical needs adjustment. Get in the shop before something worse happens. Drawing provided as a gift from a customers kind daughter.

A housing cap that is stuck in the frame. A little grease prior to installing never hurts.

We’ve had many requests for cranksets with 165mm crankarms. This SRAM Apex sells for $165. Excellent choice for those looking for quality, but want to save up for some race wheels.

Tapping a steel frames derailleur hanger after it had been stripped from improper installation.

…as well as the pedals

Thank you for taking the time to view! Cheers and we’ll see you soon! -Freeman

Word of advice for cyclists and their cycling families. Two things happened in the last week with my oldest daughters Schwinn Stingray. On Tuesday, her rear wheels axle bolts became loose and the wheel nearly fell off. On Thursday, her chain broke and unraveled onto the brick sidewalk. Luckily, on both occasions, I was walking behind her on our way to school and I was able to laugh it off without making it a big deal. It was all my fault. I have not tuned my own kids bikes since last summer and I now will use it as a key learning experience that I hope all of you understand. Unkempt bicycles will break down when you least expect it. Bikes are an investment much like your vehicle. You need to have them inspected and tuned at least once a year, more depending on how much it is driven or ridden.

We will be publishing random deals on our Facebook page throughout the season. Those of you who are not registered on Facebook can come to our website and click on our Facebook icon to view our page. You do not need to be a registered user to view our page. Our most recent deal starts in the morning.

From a recent basic clinic that had 20+ folks show up.  Today, there is not a lot of product on the floor, yet we have the essentials to maintain your bike.  Simple and not overwhelming.

Everyone was asked to bring in their own wheel to practice changing tubes.  Only one exploded.

Meg asked if I could show her the best way to remove the rear wheel from a horizontal dropout.  A sturdy stand helps tremendously!

One of two Van Dessel’s overhauled for Mike Golay.

One of many tubular gluing jobs this summer.  Best to plan a 3 day turn around for these since time stretching, gluing and assessing the quality of the job takes time.

Special Orders!  Once we announced that using Freeman’s as your alternative to online ordering, many folks have called or emailed their requests.  If you know what you are looking for and need minimal assistance deciding, we would be happy to give you a competitive price.  Whatever it takes to get you in the door and have your dollars spent locally.

Cleaning is what we specialize in because we do not like dirty bikes leaving the shop.

My daughter Frannie spent a week at pottery camp and I was excited to use this dish for quick dipping…the next day the grease was too dry to use.  Sorry, Fran, Dad thought he was being smart.

More road grime.  This bike luckily was stripped and reinstalled with new 10sp components.  After drilling out and tapping the cable stops from a busted barrel adjuster on the frame, a good chasing of the bottom bracket and a lot of scrubbing, this bike has a new life ahead as long as regular maintenance continues…

whoa

This fly was caught underneath the cranks with some daily morning worms.  How it happened is beyond me.

There is plenty of time for you to bring your bike in for a tune and cleansing before the snow flies.  The hurricane season is the perfect time for this, if you can be without your bike for a day or two.

Cheers and Good Speed,

Josh

As we know here in Maine, if the forecast calls for rain it may not happen. So as the roads dried this morning I got on the bike for a cruise around the Cape loop. Portland saw no precipitation there after and my spirit was satisfied through sundown. Point is, do not let the forecast stop you from spinning the crank because the next thing you know you will be waxing your skis.

NEW SUMMER HOURS Tuesday 10-5, Wed-Thurs 10-6 and Friday 10-5. Its not much, but we hope to attract those who may not have a Dolly Parton schedule.

Quick Turn Around

It’s what we are about. Our mission is to be the most efficient service shop in town. There is no reason your bike should be in the shop over 24 hours. For now, the shop is building a clientele. Our niche of road bikes keeps the traffic down which enhances the quality of work. As business improves, more money will be put toward road bike parts to stock for instant installation. We envision a back stock that will eliminate time to wait for parts to be ordered. It may take a couple years to build, but your help spreading the word about Freeman’s will make it sooner.

Bringing in your own parts or contacting Freeman’s before buying online has been a success!

Whatever it takes to make shop talk more comfortable is our goal. We have sold fenders to full groups to those who know what they want but would rather save money during a generation of online savings. We want your business and we will give you a positive experience no other bike shop will provide. Feel free to ask any questions you may have that is bike related. We can be contacted from phone, email, text, Facebook or Twitter. Ask those who do and they will tell you the response is instantaneous.

Good Speed,

Josh

Please RSVP to MyBikeMechanic@gmail.com

Hello Cyclists!

We all buy products online for convenience and to save money.  Why not?  Unfortunately, in many cases, customers will bring these parts to our shop for installation and the parts are incompatible.  In other words, some part models will not work with your current models or sizing discrepancies.  The shop is OK because we charge you for that time, but you are left reordering parts and things are delayed another week or two.

So, once you have researched parts and prices online, feel free to contact Freeman’s with the prices you have found.  We may be able to get you those parts for the same costs.  In return, you will receive professional advice on your order and your dollars will be spent at your local service shop.

Cheers and Good Speed!
Josh