Comments on: Why I love my local bike shop

By: Setsuko Kettell

Setsuko Kettell — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:17:03 +0000

wow, seeing this post I now realise why this approach is extremely important mankinds health and wellbeing, many thanks! Thanks

By: Bo Seago

Bo Seago — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:04:47 +0000

You need to have distinctive fishing gear for several a number of circumstances. The biggest valid reason with this is that it will help an individual get even more fish. If ever the completely wrong fishing gear has been in use, hits might be even more difficult to sense, and consequently less fish is going to be busted

By: Russell Cronin

Russell Cronin — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:18:48 +0000

Recycling used to have a good reputation, but has gone rapidly downhill since the business changed hands a couple of years ago. Not only are the staff routinely rude and patronising, but the brand new bike they sold me turned out to be a death trap when numerous spokes in the back wheel snapped while I was in traffic. Recycling refused to accept liability for the faulty goods they sold me and their ‘mechanic’ tried to make out that the problem was my fault. They did offer discount on the repair, but I wouldn’t give this bunch of crooks another penny.

By: russell

russell — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:43:41 +0000

I bought my racer from Brixton Cycles and it came with a year free service. Its a co-op and the guys (and gals) are lovely.
But I must also recommedn Cycledelic. They have a website and they are a mobile service, very reliable, trustworthy and brilliant. They come either to your home or your work.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:52:42 +0000

I give my vote to Cyclopolis, my local shop in Balham. Knowledgeable and hard working staff has helped me on several occasions. I was very pleased to ride my Cannondale after they serviced it (and their prices are very affordable). Very flexible and friendly people are working there.

By: Sonia

Sonia — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:57:23 +0000

My local bike shop is Psubliminal (almost opposite Cyclopolis in Balham). Psub was there first! I’ve always been treated very well by Al and Steve and, they sometimes work on my bike for free (small jobs) and don’t tease me too much as I clearly know very little about bikes even after a year’s riding!

By: Andreas

Andreas — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:26:41 +0000

Hey Julia, sorry to hear you were angered about it. I was just poking fun at the situation, it was not meant as a serious “I was humiliated” – I don’t think the experience in most bike shops is like that and if that is what you have been finding you should find a different bike shop.

Like I say it’s just a bit of friendly banter between me and the local bike man.

By: Julia

Julia — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:22:02 +0000

This article angers me when you get stuff like “They laugh between themselves at this poor helpless fool standing in front of them. Once I get over the humiliation, I pledge to myself to learn more about bike repairs.”

Umm, this is the stuff that put me off cycling, and bike shops. What on earth, why should being humiliated be part of the good bike shop experience? Sure, I need to learn more about bike repair, more about bikes and really would like to find a shop where I can discuss what’s best for me as a cyclist. But I hate that humiliation that you’re put through “Something’s up with my bike, please explain to me what’s going on and how I can avoid it. I’ll pay you, you are after all the professional” should not be met with derision.

If you can find me a bike shop that can advise me without the humiliation, thanks.
Admin: Edited out the swearing

By: Andreas

Andreas — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:23:10 +0000

Thanks all for recommendations! Good to hear that there are a lot of good bike shops out there in London!

By: Timothy Hawkins

Timothy Hawkins — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:36:18 +0000

Can I put a work in for Waldens in Kingston upon Thames. He is admittedly grumpy but very good. I’d taken my bike to a couple of bike shops over a year or so (including Evans) to get the gears sorted out and the result was never quite satisfactory. Walden’s job was spot on, and at £40 for a new tyre and tube plus fixing the gears so they felt like new, an absolute bargain. Evans in Kingston however have given me such poor service that I was moved to make an official complaint.