Maintenance
The bicycle is a beautiful thing
there is almost nothing that we use daily that is as repairable and maintanable as a bike
Think about the things you use every day. Stove, fridge, coffee machine, phone, toilet, car, computer. Now which of those, if it broke tomorrow, would you be able to fix yourself? Which would even be worth the money to fix rather than replace?
Now let us reintroduce you to the bicycle, a truly amazing invention that has evolved steadily over the past 200 years. The modern bicycle has fully replaceable components from handlebars to rear fender, most of which you could do with a few basic tools and an hour of time.
Many companies are trying to change this model, but as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t “fix” it!
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Our promise to you
Bikes are meant to be ridden and we expect that you will use yours to the fullest. That means riding in the rain and snow as well as the sunshine, and might (but hopefully doesn’t!) involve a crash or two. Just like a car, we design your bike to stand up to the rigors of daily use, and we will support you should anything go wrong.
That being said, bicycles are not meant to be “maintenance-free”, and do require regular servicing at home or with a local mechanic in order to perform as expected. Chains rust, hydraulic brakes need servicing, and tires wear out.
Our promise to you
Bikes are meant to be ridden and we expect that you will use yours to the fullest. That means riding in the rain and snow as well as the sunshine, and might (but hopefully doesn’t!) involve a crash or two. Just like a car, we design your bike to stand up to the rigors of daily use, and we will support you should anything go wrong.
That being said, bicycles are not meant to be “maintenance-free”, and do require regular servicing at home or with a local mechanic in order to perform as expected. Chains rust, hydraulic brakes need servicing, and tires wear out.
Your commitment to your gear
In exchange we ask that you commit to maintaining your bike, year after year, to ensure it lasts as long as possible. We would prefer someone not buy our (or anyone else’s) bike if they intend to trash it once it’s due for a service.
Your commitment to your gear
In exchange we ask that you commit to maintaining your bike, year after year, to ensure it lasts as long as possible. We would prefer someone not buy our (or anyone else’s) bike if they intend to trash it once it’s due for a service.
We give back for every purchase
We’ve pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.
Repair FAQs
Are there any proprietary components on my bike?
We strive to build products that are as “open source” as possible. In the bicycle world, this means using certain standards where one component interfaces or attaches to another. For example, we don’t build a rear wheel around a tire that you can only get from Sartée Bikes.
As far as components go, we do not use any that cannot be exchanged with off-the-shelf replacements. Our wheels, tires, forks, pedals, crank sets, etc. (basically everything bolted to the frame) use industry standard mounting specifications.
This is especially notable for our motor and bottom bracket. If you’re comparison shopping, take a close look. Nearly every other manufacturer uses a proprietary Bosch or Shimano bottom bracket gearbox and motor. This is a non-starter for anyone looking to have support for their bike 10+ years down the road. Replacement parts, if they are even still available, will be harder and harder to find, forcing you to ride power-less and looking for a total bike replacement.
What about frame-specific parts, how do I repair or replace those?
Our frame, like all front-loading bikes, has some unique design features that require specific maintenance should anything go wrong. Our steering system consists of 1/8” 7×19” stainless steel wire rope, tensioned through a series of pulleys and fixed between the fork and steerer post. While we support your ability to repair this system, we prefer you have it done by a professional bike shop in order to ensure all maintenance specs are adhered to properly.
You can always reach us at support@sartee.com for detailed repair instructions if you cannot find them on the maintenance and repair page.
We also don’t cover damage due to improper installation or repairs. We fully support and encourage you to repair your own gear, however please only do so once you have the proper tools, skills and background knowledge, all of which you can find at your local bike shop.
Why do you use an external derailleur? I see that many other front-loaders have gearboxes.
The decision to use a traditional derailleur stems directly from the first part of our mission, to build the last bike your family will ever need. In order to use a geared hub and a motor at the same time, we would need to position that motor in the bottom bracket, limiting your ability to maintain the bike.
Traditional derailleurs are also readily available anywhere in the world, use universal mounting points, and can be maintained by the home mechanic, all qualities that we consider table stakes for a bike meant to last a generation.
How do I repair these components myself?
We believe the best way to make sure our products last a lifetime is to empower our customers to take an active role in the process. As products are released and time allows, we will develop individual repair guides for common points of failure.
If you’ve experienced a component failure, please contact us first to determine whether it can be repaired at home or your local bike shop. If it can’t, we’ll strive to replace it for our cost to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.