Bike service centre recommendation - Dublin City

Gwame

I recently moved to the city centre (Ormond Quay) and I'm looking for a solid shop to carry out servicing on a fairly high-end road bike. Or it certainly was at point of purchase anyway. It's a Felt AR4 from 2012 with a 2x10sp ultegra groupset - https://99spokes.com/en-EU/bikes/felt/2012/ar4. Lovely bike with great aero.

Here's the issue. Over the past year or two, the gearing has been pretty unreliable. It does not shift consistently, and on certain rings of the cassette, the chain will skip regularly. Sometimes it's like it needs to be shifted up twice to move once, and it skips, then you need to shift it down to rebalance it. Though lately that hasn't been a reliable method either.

I've had it serviced at two highly regarded bike shops in Dublin, and even replaced the shifters themselves (which are not easy to find these days) but neither mechanic could get it right. The last place I was at informed me that they could get the shifting working fine when connecting the shifter directly to the rear derailleur, running the cable outside of the frame, but once it was re-inserted, the problem returned. So ultimately, I didn't get any benefit after taking it home. It shifted worse, if I'm honest. Before, it would be dodgy on one or two rings, now it seems like half the cassette needs to be avoided.

So I'd love if you guys had any recommendations for me, in terms of a place I can go to get this sorted.

Thanks!

Breezer

PM’d you. Not sure we’re allowed recommend businesses on thread?

secman

That 10 speed ultegra has a glitch in it, i had a caad 9 , same era, had 3 different mechanics try to get it working smoothly to no avail. Sold it on.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515643#Comment_118515643

No problem in making recommendations.

Luxman

I had the same groupset and it tormented me for the whole time I had it, it's badly put together and no amount of tweaking will resolve it fully (I do have a need for things to run perfectly, so that trait doesn't help) but the time I wasted on it!! Had my eyes opened with the 11sp Ultegra and was a world of difference away. However a groupset change will cost you as the prices just keep going up and up

Gwame

I have heard there's a design issue with that groupset. Though I'm curious why it can be made to shift properly when the parts are connected to each other outside of the frame, but when rerouted through it, it goes wonky again.

Roadtoad

To hijack a bit: I've the same issue with a Shimano 105 10 speed, about the same vintage. Is there enough common parts between the Ultegra and 105 that this problem might be common? For years, and quite a few km there was no issue, but it surfaced about two years ago. The skipping/hopping occurs in the middle range, usually when on the big ring.

CramCycle

Bee Cycles if they are open are always well recommended, The Bike Rack just off the N11 if you are southside and I ave heard many hear recommending 360cycles if you are north side.

Breezer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118516083#Comment_118516083

In that case, Bee Cycles in Dolphin’s Barn.

Gerry

chain skipping sounds more like wear as distinct from the shifting issue. but would have expected the bike shops you've already been to have checked it out. only shop I know at all in the city is Penny farthing cycles and I always was happy with the work done there.

billyhead

I always put chain skipping down to either a worn cassette or chain or both. Even if it was just the chain you would be better off getting both replaced.

bazermc

Also recommend Bee Cycles in de barn.