“The Swiss Army Knife of bike shops” is how I summarised MiCycle in 2010 after being thoroughly impressed by all the services offered. Since then, they’ve expanded from one store in Islington, to another in Stroud Green and now a new store is opening in Hackney.
MiCycle is a summary of how I like my bike shops ran: Friendly, local, approachable and with little added bonuses. The original bike shop in Islington, comes with a rather zen back garden, where customers are invited to kick back and chat about their cycling needs over a cup of tea.
Beyond that they also have a bike wash, maintenance classes, swap a bike for a bigger bike, tool lending, broken bike collection, wifi and coffee.
The new store in Hackney will share a few of these features.
For a start, they’ll be a micro-allotment space in the back, which will be offered to local residents. At the garden in the front, they’ll be seating for kicking back and sipping on coffee and there’s a bike wash, with a work stand and tools for customers use.
That’s rather perfect, as one of the best ways of keeping your bike well maintained is to simply keep it clean. This is easier said that done in London, where not everyone is lucky enough to have outdoor space with their home.
If it’s servicing you need, MiCycle have everything from full services, to quick puncture repairs. For those wanting to learn, one-to-one maintenance lessons are available.
For just £12.50 per year, customers are able to get use of the workshop and bike wash.
If you’re shopping around for a new bike the shop sells everything from Bianchi bikes to Bobbins.
The new store will be run as a joint venture between long-serving staff and founder Matthew Hilton with the aim being to offer the same small and friendly ethos.
MiCycle East will be open from Saturday the 27th of September and will serve the surrounding communities of De Beauvoir Town, Haggerston, Dalston and beyond. Readers are invited to the opening party starting at 2pm which will feature beer, hotdogs and live music.
For more pictures and to connect with the store visit:
@micycleeast – www.facebook.com/micycleeast
MiCycle east is located at 58a Southgate Road London, United Kingdom.
The bike shop will of course be listed in the free London Cyclist app, along with every other bike shop in London.
There are a huge number of business is built around on road bikes. Most of the business is so profitable. We are going to build a business around it.
Cyclist Kabir
Sounds like really good value for money and a great asset for the local cycling community. I so wish Nottingham would realise there is a market for things like this! We’re missing out!
RUBBISH, EXPENSIVE.
they charge you for service but dont actually carry out any work.
plus they charge you £40/hr for 10 min job.