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Guides • Booking & Warranty • Cardiff
DIY or Book It In? What Changes When We Fit Your Kit vs You Fitting It Yourself
This isn't a step-by-step install manual — we've already got one of those in our general fitting guide. This page answers a different question: what actually changes for you if you book it in with us instead of doing it yourself — the install warranty you get, how booking and turnaround actually works, and our specific policy on kits bought elsewhere.
About this guide: Written to answer exactly what customers ask us before booking, not a generic DIY tutorial.
Contents
The Install Warranty Difference — What You Actually Get
This is the part that gets missed when people compare DIY vs professional fitting purely on price. A kit fitted at our workshop carries our fitting warranty on the installation itself — separate from the manufacturer's warranty on the motor, battery, or controller. If a fault turns out to be down to how something was fitted, wired, or torqued rather than a component fault, that's covered. A self-installed kit only has the manufacturer's component warranty, which doesn't cover install-related issues like poor chainline or an incorrectly torqued motor lock ring.
How Booking Actually Works
1
Message us or call ahead
Tell us your bike, the kit you want (or want advice on), and roughly when you'd like it done. We'll confirm we have the parts in stock and give you a realistic slot.
2
Drop the bike off, or discuss same-day where possible
Many straightforward fittings can be done same-day if booked in advance and parts are in stock; more involved builds may need the bike left with us.
3
We call before we do anything unexpected
If we find something during fitting that needs attention beyond the original quote — worn brake pads that won't be safe at the new top speed, for example — we'll call you before proceeding, not just add it to the bill.
4
Collection and handover
We'll walk you through the display settings, show you the assist levels, and confirm the bike is configured to your intended use before you ride off.
Realistic Turnaround Times
| Job | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|
| Hub motor kit, straightforward fit, booked ahead | Same day |
| Bafang mid drive, standard threaded BB, booked ahead | Same day to next day |
| Any build with a compatibility issue found on the day | May need to reschedule once resolved |
| Peak season (spring/summer) walk-ins without a booking | Variable — booking ahead is the reliable route |
Bringing a Kit You Bought Elsewhere
We'll fit kits bought from other retailers, not just ones we supply. Before we start, we'll check the kit is genuinely compatible with your bike and that it's a complete, undamaged set — we can't warranty a component fault on a kit we didn't sell, but our fitting warranty still applies to the installation itself either way.
Started It Yourself and Got Stuck — Our Policy
This happens more often than you'd think, and it's not a problem. Bring the bike and kit in as they are; we'll assess what's been done, confirm nothing's been damaged in the process, and pick up from there rather than insisting on a full strip-down and restart unless the situation genuinely calls for it.
What We Check Beyond the Kit Itself
Always checked as part of any fitting
- Brake condition and suitability for the bike's new top speed
- Wheel trueness and spoke tension (hub motor builds)
- Bottom bracket shell condition and cleanliness (mid drive builds)
- Cable routing clear of moving parts and pinch points
Flagged to you if found, not assumed
- Worn drivetrain components that won't handle the extra load well
- Frame or dropout condition on older bikes
- Anything that affects whether your intended assist level is realistic for the bike
Which Route Actually Suits You
1
Confident with tools, it's a hub motor kit
DIY is genuinely fine here — just know you're relying on the manufacturer's component warranty only, not an install warranty.
2
Mid drive kit, first bottom bracket job
Book it in. The install warranty covers exactly the kind of subtle chainline and torque issues that are easy to get wrong on a first attempt.
3
Rely on the bike daily, can't afford downtime from a mistake
Book it in, and book ahead rather than turning up as a walk-in during busy periods.
4
Not sure which applies to you
Message us on WhatsApp with your kit and confidence level and we'll give you a straight recommendation.
Visit us: 2 Beresford Road Lane, Cardiff, CF24 1QU
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–6pm • Sat 11am–3pm • Sun closed
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–6pm • Sat 11am–3pm • Sun closed
FAQ
What exactly does your fitting warranty cover that a manufacturer's warranty doesn't?
Manufacturer warranty covers genuine component failure — a faulty controller, a defective motor. Our fitting warranty covers problems caused by the installation itself, such as incorrect chainline, an under- or over-torqued motor lock ring, or a cable routed in a way that later fails. These are exactly the kind of issues a DIY install is more likely to introduce, and they're not covered by the component manufacturer.
Do I need to book ahead, or can I just turn up?
Booking ahead is strongly recommended, particularly in spring and summer when demand is highest. Walk-ins are welcome but turnaround isn't guaranteed the same day without a prior booking, especially for less common parts or motor types.
If I bring a kit bought online, will you refuse to fit it?
No, we regularly fit kits bought elsewhere. We'll check it's genuinely compatible with your bike and complete before starting, and our fitting warranty on the installation still applies — we just can't warranty the kit's own components if they turn out to be faulty, since we didn't supply them.
What happens if you find a problem with my bike partway through fitting?
We'll stop and call you before doing any work beyond what was originally agreed, explain what we've found and why it matters, and let you decide how to proceed. We don't add unexpected costs to the bill without checking with you first.
Can I watch or learn while you fit my kit, for future reference?
Generally yes, workload and workshop space permitting on the day — it's worth mentioning when you book if this matters to you, so we can plan for it rather than you asking on arrival during a busy period.
Ready to book, or still deciding between DIY and professional fitting? Message George on WhatsApp and we'll talk it through honestly.
Get in touch!
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Our Shop Address
2 Beresford Road Lane
Cardiff
UK
CF24 1QU
