The Service Centre

When you first bring your bike in we will look it over and give you an estimate for parts and labour. Please be aware that it is impractical or impossible to ascertain at that point whether there may be some parts seized, broken or worn out. We try our best to give realistic estimates. It would be normal to exceed an estimate by 10 to 15% without further discussion if there is good reason, but how we handle permission to go beyond what we’ve estimated is up to you. Some customers (especially regulars) trust us to do what is best without another phone call and may say “Whatever it takes, just do it.” Others choose to give a ceiling, “Call me if it looks like it’s going to exceed $150.” Or simply “Call me if it needs anything beyond the approved estimate”. Bear in mind though, that if we cannot reach you by phone it may delay completion of the work. Please provide a daytime number where you can be reached or which will be monitored for messages.

*All estimates of time are based on having any necessary parts in stock. 

We phone you when your bike is completed. Please be sure to leave a number that you can be reached at. Feel free to call us before coming to pick-up. We have an outstanding track record for completion times.

All our individual labour prices are based on guesstimates of average times without complications. There are a myriad of potential challenges that may affect the elapsed time and therefore cost of any given job.

Hoopdriver Bicycles cannot be held responsible for the cost of labour necessary to put a customer’s bicycle in good working order if that is what has been requested.

Of course we will endeavour to provide a realistic estimate beforehand and get permission if necessary, for any significant additional costs.

Depending on the job, we may request a deposit before starting work. 

Payment may be required for exploratory work done on a bike which proves to be a “write-off” on closer inspection (or when the customer simply decides against doing the work for any reason).

Sorry, we do not service suspension units (other than on modern Moultons), e-bikes or motorized bicycles in any form, electronic shifting, large cargo bikes, or tricycles. For service requests we cannot meet, we will try to refer you to someone who can help. Thank you for your understanding!

We at Hoopdriver pride ourselves on the quality of our hand-built wheels.

Hand built wheels, when properly executed, are far more durable than machine built ones. As well as good components: attention to spoke thread preparation; pre-bending of spokes; regular stress relieving; and consistent and sufficient tension, are all necessary to produce the strongest wheel possible. Most of these elements are not present in machine built wheels, though, to some extent, we do stress relieve and tension balance the machine built wheels we sell: something most shops would not be concerned with. Unfortunately, many hand built wheels out there also have not had all these elements incorporated into the process. If you are told to bring your hand built wheel in for a “free truing” after so many miles, then insufficient time and attention was spent building the wheel in the first place, and it will probably never be as strong and durable as it might have been.

Our custom wheels do not need to be re-trued or re-tensioned unless they have been bent through accident or abuse.

• As a general rule, we do not build on used rims nor do we re-use spokes.
• We never use spoke calculations other than our own.
• We never finish pre-laced wheels.
• We do not recommend aluminum nipples and do not build with them.
• We excel at building traditional, 32 to 36 spoke, 3-cross wheels.
• A minimum 50% deposit is required for custom wheel orders.

We will build on used hubs if provided by the customer. Of course, the condition and long-term viability of the hub is your responsibility. We would suggest that we begin by overhauling and assessing the condition of used hubs before building the wheel (for which labour will be charged regardless of the outcome), unless you are sure of their excellent condition.

Wheel build labour charge – $95.00 and up.
Includes spoke calculation, spoke/nipple prep, tension balancing, stress relieving and rim tape.

Spoke calculation – $20.00 per wheel.
Included with standard wheel builds.

Spoke cutting – 15 cents per spoke.
Included with standard wheel builds. Hoopdriver has a Phil Wood spoke cutting machine for accurate production of any length of spoke with a nominal 14 gauge (2mm) diameter thread. We will not cut painted spokes.

Spoke brands – $1.25 and up per spoke.
We carry a variety of top quality, round section, stainless steel, ‘j-bend’ (classic) spokes in either 14 gauge straight (usually DT Swiss ‘Champion’ or equivalent) or 14/15 gauge double-butted (usually Sapim ‘Race’ or equivalent) all in either silver or black.

We stock brass, silver or black, square nipples, usually DT or Sapim or equivalent.*Spoke length calculation only included with build.

If all parts are purchased from us and we build your wheel(s) then there is a 10% discount off the entire package.

A minimum 50% deposit will be required.

Spoke length is your responsibility unless we have rim(s) and hub(s) in order to provide spoke calculation(s) – see charge above

Although we still carry many useful parts, we no longer offer custom bike-build services.

Although we may have useful new parts, we no longer offer restoration or refurbishment services on vintage bikes.

For bikes that have not been picked up in a timely manner, a storage fee of $4 per day after 30 days from the date of completion will be charged.

Customers are provided with completion dates when the work is scheduled. We phone the provided number with a reminder of readiness. We will also phone before beginning to charge for storage. However, we cannot be responsible for delays due to unanswered calls, holidays, etc. We are not responsible for bikes or anything else left over 30 days. Bikes which have accrued storage fees that by our estimation exceed the value of the bike, will be donated or recycled.