After running a cycle shop in New Romney for ten years, Steve James shifted gears and went fully mobile running a bike repairs and servicing business across the Ashford area.
At SJ Bike Repairs Steve handles all aspects of bike maintenance from quick repairs, full rebuilds, to just a routine servicing, keeping everything from standard bikes to e-bikes roadworthy for Ashford’s cyclists.
Steve said: “The most important thing people should have is a regular service. But my biggest bit of advice for regular maintenance is to look after your chain, keep it clean and lubricated, and always keep your tyres pumped up. That’s basic care that can save you a lot of trouble down the line.”
“When it comes to buying a bike, I’d always avoid buying cheaply made bikes online - they’re often poor quality, and you’ll spend more fixing them than they’re worth. If you’re commuting or riding regularly, invest in something reliable from a local shop where you can get advice and aftercare and get a feel of the bike before purchasing.”
A keen cyclist himself, Steve enjoys long rides around Kent but has also completed some big challenges like The Great Escapade, JOGLE (John O’Groats to Land’s End), and Chase the Sun. For anyone looking for local routes, he recommends Kings Wood for off-road adventures, and if you wanted to go further afield the Marshes for flatter, scenic cycling.
Steve’s passion for bikes also extends to teaching. Through All Things Active’s Velobuild Project he coaches children and teenagers with special educational needs to build a bike from scratch, learning maintenance skills along the way. “It’s really rewarding. Some of these children struggle with reading, comprehension, or have emotional and behavioural challenges, but they throw themselves into these hands-on, often quite technical builds. They learn every aspect of bike maintenance and leave with a fully functioning bike they’ve built themselves. It gives them a real sense of achievement, which they might not always get from traditional classroom work.”
“If you’re thinking about getting into cycling, just go for it. Whether you’re commuting, riding for fitness or just for fun, it’s one of the best things you can do for your health and your mind. You’re out in the fresh air, getting active, and with the addition of e-bikes, it doesn’t have to feel so daunting - you get that extra bit of help when you need it, but you can still push yourself far more physically than if you were just jumping in the car.”
If you’ve got an old bike gathering dust in the shed, knowing there’s someone local who can help get it back into a safe, rideable condition might be just the motivation you need to get back in the saddle.