Maintenance log - 06/02/2026

3100km since last full service (Birmingham, October 2025)

Just cataloguing ‘Brake Gate’ in Beni Mellal, to let off a bit of steam and to log things that need keeping an eye on as a result. Full details of ‘Brake Gate’ are logged elsewhere.

We arranged with a bike shop in the city that they would try burping (or if necessary bleeding) Beck’s rear brake, as it is a little inconsistent, suggesting there is some air in there.

When we arrived the shop was totally manic because loads of people were there, fresh from flights, with their bikes needing attention ahead of the Atlas Mountain Race, which left the city this afternoon. Beck’s bike was put on a shonky stand on a sloping side road and work commenced. Beck had found a participant to chat with and I was left trying to hold the bike upright.

Despite various protestations from me, things unfolded very fast (mostly in Arabic), leading to all of the mineral oil from the front brake being spilled over the front forks, wheel, rotor, calliper and pads. Then various other things occurred before Beck came over and pointed out that they were working on the rear lever but the front brake.

The outcome was, everything was cleaned up and new pads were fitted at the front (I cleaned the old set as possible emergency spares), the front brake was bled and the rear brake was then bled to try to remove any bubbles. This was partially successful but would benefit from another go sometime. All in all the haste (and my tiredness and lack of being fed) made the whole thing stressful. Though we had to laugh when Beck pointed out the fundamental flaw.

We lost the front rubber nipple cover in the process and feel we now have to keep an eye on everything for a while to make sure it’s all functioning without leaks etc. I was particularly worried about the little o-rings on the banjo that didn’t actually need removing…

One of the guys at the shop said, “I can see this stressed you out. We work differently. You’re all about a methodical process and we just got for it!”.

They were a really nice bunch of people and they were doing everything they could for us but we were mostly left feeling that a far better approach would’ve been to get a bleed kit ourselves and take the time to do it methodically. Still living and learning :)