Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Area
Bradford on
Avon
Brentwood
Bristol
Bike Shop
TT Cycles
Frome Rd
Bradford on Avon,
Wiltshire BA15 1LE
tel: 01225 867187
Herongate Cycles
The Old Stockyard
Cricketers Lane
Herongate
Essex CM13 3PZ
tel: 01277 811018
Jake's Bikes
Haymarket Walk
Bristol BS1 3LN
tel: 0117 329 7363
Webb's of Warmley
Cycles
14 High Street Warmley
Bristol BS15 4ND
tel: 0117 9673676
Bromley
Cheltenham
John Woods Cycles
62 High Street
Hanham
Bristol BS15 3DR
tel: 0117 935 2042
Bromley Bike Co
27 Widmore Road
Bromley BR1 1RW
tel: 020 8460 4852
Cheltenham Cycles
61 Winchcombe
Street
Cheltenham GL52 2NE
tel: 01242 255 414
Comment
We are very lucky to have TT Cycles, in a new shop opposite The Lock Inn, Bradford on Avon. The
three, highly experienced, calm, speedy workers who staff the place haven't been fazed by any bike
related problem we've taken there. They have a good stock of bikes, spare parts, clothing & tools
plus a big hire fleet of new Trek mountain bikes, as the Kennet & Avon tow path is a favourite place
for a day out,
I can unreservedly recommend Herongate Cycles. The owner, Dave, is very knowledgeable and
helpful. I have been a regular customer there for four or five years, and wouldn't go anywhere else. I
bought my Scott Addict from him, and he has looked after it for me with servicing and repairs. He
also helped to build up a winter trainer using an old steel Dawes frame I had, with various new
components. For a small independent retailer he charges very fair prices, and does work properly,
which in my experience can't be said for some other local outlets.
I would love to recommend Jake's Bikes near the Bus Station in Bristol. A wonderful example of a
proper bike shop, Jake has a smashing website full of really useful and practical advice which can be
downloaded for free, also an inspiring workshop. On his website great advice on maintenance and
what to take with you on short and long distance bike rides is case of a breakdown
Lovely helpful staff, who go out of there way to solve problems that don’t involve spending vast sums
of money. They are a non profit making business, only taking enough money for their needs.
I can recommend a couple of shops in my area which have given me good service and free advice.
These being Webb's of Warmley and John Woods in Hanham. Webbs being conveniently placed
near NCN4 at Warmley and always have time for you. If they don't have what you need they will get it
for you or recommend another local shop.
I would like to sing the praises of the staff at Bromley Bike Co. In have been going there for years
and they are always very helpful - special mention for Tom!
It’s all well and good to buy on the internet (which I do at times) but we should also support our local
bike shops.
I live in Bristol where there are lots of bike shops but I was after a specific model to use for
commuting, but I ended up getting my perfect bike from up the motorway in Cheltenham - they were
so helpful and friendly. It is only a small shop but has everything and nothing is too much trouble.
I would recommend their knowledgeable and enthusiastic service to anyone.
Supporter
Frank Bonner,
Bradford on
Avon
Barry, Essex
Andrew
Muirhead,
Swindon
Ossie Davies,
Bristol
Howard Fryer,
Bromley
Sharon Randall,
Bristol
1
Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Co. Durham
Cestria Cycles
11 Ashfield Terrace
Chester le Street
Co Durham DH3 3PD
tel: 0191 388 7535
Good selection of parts for road and off-road bikes and willing to order in for specials. Prices very
reasonable. They employ a truly excellent wheel builder whom I have used several times. He always
tells me to bring the wheels back after running in for truing, but this has never been necessary!
Bryan Attewell,
Sunderland
Devon
The Bike Shed
The Bike Shed chain of three shops (Crediton, Exeter and Barnstaple) form a great resource to the
Devon cyclist. I use them regularly and am delighted by their consultative sales approach, i.e. they
do not look for a quick sale, their aim is that the customer goes away with the right purchase or
information. In fact, I go in for advice as much as I do for a purchase!
Adrian Tiley,
Devon
Belhaven Bikes is our local bike shop. Offering a pick up service to get bikes to the shop. He's helpful
getting stuff in if he doesn't stock. Did the business with a couple if tricky bottom brackets. Bike to
work scheme member and always willing with supporting local bike fest.
Mark James
and Morag
Haddow,
Dunbar
I’m glad to let other members know that the local guys that work in Halfords Dunstable, Bedfordshire,
in particular Chris and Sam are incredibly helpful, friendly and very resourceful when it comes to
repairing bikes.
I recently bought a second hand Dahon Curve, and after little use I some how managed to get the
folding mechanism on the handlebars jammed into the extended position. There was no way of
accessing the interior mechanism to adjust it..... I've no idea how they did it.... but much to my relief
they managed to fix it.
I would highly recommend these guys!
London Cycles are helpful without being patronising; interested without being pushy; quick to help
and generally professional and all round OK.
Chrissie,
Bedfordshire
Exeter: 01392 426191
Crediton: 01363
774773
Barnstaple: 01271
328628
Dunbar
Dunstable
East Grinstead
Exeter
Belhaven Bikes
Rigg Service Station
Belhaven Road
Dunbar
tel: 01368 860300
Halfords
8a White Lion Retail
Park
Boscombe Road
Dunstable,
Bedfordshire LU5 4WL
tel: 01582 609841
London Cycles
Imberhorne Way
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 1RL
tel: 01342 323 494
The Bike Shed
163 Fore Street
Exeter
Devon EX4 3AT
tel: 01392 426191
The Bike Shed in Exeter combines a fantastic range of bikes, clothing and equipment with a really
friendly and helpful approach. I have purchased a number of bikes and lots of gear from them, but
often just pop in to browse and ask questions. They have just run some free maintenance courses
which were really useful. I would highly recommend them
Jon Hale,
Crawley
Jerry Thorne,
Exeter
2
Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Farnborough
Glasgow
Kenilworth
Kirkcaldy
Leeds
Silvester Brothers
5 Cove Road
Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 0EH
tel: 01252 758763
Wheelcraft
3 The Clachan
Campsie Glen
Lennoxtown
East Dunbartonshire
G66 7AB
tel: 01360 312709
Billy Bilsland Cycles
176 Saltmarket
Glasgow, G1 5LA
tel: 0141 552 0841
They are such a community bike shop and cater for all. You can go for a chat or go to buy
something. Whatever, you get treated equally well. Also, great at fixing things really quickly. I have
even been given a courtesy bike on one occasion.
Sarah Wood,
Farnborough
In Glasgow, I must recommend Wheelcraft near Lennoxtown. A shop, run by knowledgeable
enthusiasts, they build wheels but also do repairs and sell parts. I've had my bike repaired there a
couple of times and have had wheels built too. I've found their wheels superb and repairs very fairly
priced. A cycle shop run by cyclists and not just out to get your money. 100% recommended.
Paul Dudman,
Lenzie
Billy Bilsland in Glasgow - a small palace de bikes! Neil, Gordon and all concerned are
knowledgeable, friendly, put-up-with-ignoramus like newbies. The shop is a treat to walk into customer remembered by name and what bike they have. Push your bike in and one of the team is
hands on before your mouth is open, cables, headsets and brakes are looked at before you've
spoken a sentence.
Knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, relaxed, no hard sell, informative and a pleasure to do business with
(two bikes bought from there myself in the last 6 years). Concentrates on three main brands (Giant,
Specialized & Trek) so maybe not as many options as Evans, but makes up for it in the sheer
pleasure of walking into the shop – definitely worth recommending.
Robert Burns,
Glasgow
Marc Prowe,
Kirkcaldy
Dave Rayner Cycles
107 Main Street
Garforth, Leeds
West Yorks LS25 1AF
tel: 0113 286 2700
The guys in “Spokes – Kirkcaldy” are the most experienced, most friendly, most flexible, most
accommodating and top quality cycle mechanics I ever got the chance to get to know.
They are great. They not only are well weathered active cyclists themselves, they also deal with new
and unusual requests no prob. They are straight with advice on products as they do know what
works, and they’ll let you know. Even for home-made cheap alternative improvisations they offer
sage advice from proven experience.
The owner Graham Stubbs is extremely helpful. You can ask the most “stupid” question and get
treated with the same respect as someone who knows what they are talking about. It is a family run
business – all cyclists – who only want you to be happy as a cyclist. Help and advice is always
available for anything from as small as buying some energy gels or bars to getting the most suitable
bike for you. Nothing is too much trouble.
Edinburgh Cycles
140 Woodland
Lane Chapel Allerton,
You might think this treatment is standard from bike shops but Graham and his family go above and
beyond the realms of being a “standard” shop. I cannot praise them highly enough. They certainly
keep my interest in cycling all year round.
I live on the north side of Wakefield, but found my favourite 'local' bike shop to be Edinburgh Cycles
in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. Got one of their Revolution Triad 1.0 ATB's in the sale and I'm well happy
with both it and the service I received. I'd been in two or three other specialist shops during the sale
Mike Vaughan Cycles
3-5 High Street
Kenilworth
CV8 1LY
tel: 01926 853944
Spokes
425-427 High Street
Kirkcaldy KY1 2SG
tel: 01592 646203
Joe Cahill,
Kenilworth
Helen Royan,
Leeds
Mike Wild,
Wakefield
3
Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Leeds LS7 4QG
tel: 0113 268 7463
Liverpool
College Cycles
27 Cooks Road
Liverpool L23 2TB
tel: 0151 924 2020
Llanrwst
1868 Racing
Denbigh St
Llanrwst
Conwy LL26 0LL
tel: 01492 641 028
London
Holloway Cycles
290 Holloway Road
London N7 6NJ
tel: 020 7700 6222
Holdsworth
132 Lower Richmond
Road London
SW15 1LN
tel: 020 8788 1060
Condor Cycles Ltd
49-53 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8PP
tel: 020 7269 6820
and although all staff were ok, the staff at the Leeds branch of Edinburgh Cycles were so much
better. A very friendly welcome every time I walk in and no nonsense, plain explanations to all
questions asked. I knew which bike I wanted before I walked in the shop and nobody tried to 'lead
me' towards a certain machine or give me any 'techy' talk. Some of the other shops were (or seemed
to be) biased and to blind the customer with unnecessary technical lingo. Particular praise to Andy at
Edinburgh Cycles, a good lad! Their website is comprehensive.
College Cycles is owned and run by John Bolton. Whether it is a sale or a repair, customers are
always well treated and nothing is too much trouble. Prices are very fair (and often on the cheap side
for regular customers) while John has been known to work through the night to complete services
and repairs when a backlog arises.
At the moment he is looking to expand his premises whilst retaining that friendly, personal treatment
that you don't always get from the larger stores. Highly recommended.
I'd like to recommend 1868 Racing in Llanrwst, north Wales. (I have no connection with the shop).
I've had two bikes serviced there recently. The shop owner Martin was very friendly and helpful, and
his prices are reasonable. He provides three levels of fixed price servicing, with details on his
website. He also sells Giant bikes. His shop is conveniently placed in the middle of Llanrwst, the
gateway to Snowdonia, and is only a few minutes from the Marin and Penmachno mountain bike
trails.
Holloway cycles repaired a buckled wheel that another bike shop failed to fix. Including replacing four
spokes, they charged me just £15, which I thought was very reasonable. Wheel is good as new!
Since 1971 I have been a customer of Holdsworth. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and
most efficient. Roy Thame, whom I still had the pleasure of meeting in this shop of his before he
retired, had obviously communicated to his staff the discipline of professionalism and service which
was his, and his staff have passed it on over the decades. It is indicative that in these forty years
there has been working there four consecutive mechanics only, and a similarly faithful group of shop
attendants. How many firms can obtain from their staff such long service and loyalty? How many
firms are able to select staff that are so skilled and devoted to their work that they become part of the
establishment? These facts are a proof of the exceptional quality of this small Putney shop and of the
people who run it. It gives me pleasure to be able to praise them without reservations.
Condor Cycles have looked after me for more years than I can count. As a mediocre racing cyclist I
could not have had better service if I'd been a potential world champion. I am now 65 years old and
Monty Young the Founder and his son Grant who now runs the business have become family friends.
It all began with a broken spoke on a Saturday afternoon when Monty who I'd never met fixed the
wheel on the spot because he said I might want to ride the bike on the Sunday. To date that one
spoke led to the purchase of eleven bicycles and the stuff that goes with them. My wife won't let me
ride any other make.
Dave Holmes,
Crosby
Peter
McFadden,
Conwy
Tom, London
Michel Cerf,
London
Richard Evans,
London
4
Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Brixton Cycles
145 Stockwell Rd
London SW9 9TN
tel: 020 7733 6055
Manchester
Matlock
Northampton
Nottingham
Orpington
Ken Foster's
Cyclelogic
Barlow Moor Road
Manchester, M21 8AZ
tel: 0161 881 7160
I have been using Brixton Cycles for over 20 years now and it is wonderful. They opened in Cold
Harbour Lane back when cycling and Brixton were far from fashionable, and have become a key part
of the community and cater fro all from tough kids bouncing off the concrete of the skate park to
Mums who need a shopper to bike obsessives like me. Always friendly, supportive of charities and
any go ahead cycling scheme, Barnaby, Lincoln and the rest are the best.
As a customer of several years you are assured of always receiving professional
friendly response/advice from Shaun / Andy & the team - helpful with practical solutions no matter
how big or small the problem maybe. A great shop for cyclists irrespective of experience!
Paul
Shackleton,
London
Mr B Osbiston,
Manchester
Excellent levels of service, support, advice and competitiveness.
Paul Thompson,
Manchester
Bicycle Doctors
68-70 Dickenson Rd
Manchester M14 5HF
tel: 0161 224 1303
Bicycle Doctors have met my cycling needs in a friendly and skilful way for over twenty years.
Recent changes of staff have maintained quality.
Giles Haworth,
Manchester
Excellent levels of service, support, range of quality products and a very efficient ordering service
Stanley Fearns Cycles
19 Bakewell Rd
Matlock, Derbyshire
DE4 3AU
tel: 01629 582 089
The Bike Shed
14 Park Square
Northampton
NN5 7LQ
tel: 01604 590767
Stanley Fearns have a great range of bikes and bits, but the best thing is the knowledge of the staff.
There is nothing to do with bikes that they don’t know about and they cater for the whole market from
families through to enthusiasts. They really care about you getting the most out of your bike(s) and
they will always bend over backwards to keep you on the road. I have bought four bikes from them
over the years and I would not go anywhere else. They are also very fair on price.
I can highly recommend the quality of knowledge and personal care I have received there over the
years! Not only do they provide me and all their customers with personal advice and care at a low
price, they also make sure they are aware of the latest developments in the cycling industry.
One of the nice things is that I can go into the shop with my bike and get it serviced whilst I wait and
chat to them about rugby, football or the local boxing club. No need to deliver your bike in the
morning and pick it up in the afternoon! And for all that personal service I do not have to pay over the
odds, if anything, I pay less than I would in other places.
On top of running a growing business, the two proprietors are also great supporters of the local
community and are well grounded in what is considered one of the more deprived areas of our town.
They are great supporters of local clubs and community centres.
Paul Thompson,
Manchester
Paul Smith,
Matlock
Langdale
Lightweights
455-457 Westdale Ln
Mapperley, Nottingham
NG3 6DH
tel: 0115 953 7100
Cycles UK
247 High Street
I would like to say that Mick Brown who owns Langdale Lightweights, is a Family run cycle shop and
nothing is too much trouble, for Mick and his Father in law.
Tony Fox,
Langdale
Cycles UK organise shop rides, all staff very helpful and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend
the use of this shop.
David Haines,
Orpington
Christiaan de
Haes,
Northampton
5
Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Oxford
Reading
Reigate
Retford
Orpington
Kent BR6 0NY
tel: 01689 898923
Beeline Bikes
59-65 Cowley Road
Oxford OX4 1HR
tel: 01865 246615
AW Cycles
110 Henley Rd
Caversham, Reading
Berkshire RG4 6DH
tel: 0118 946 3050
R E Finch & Son
43 Bell Street
Town Centre, Reigate
RH2 7AQ
tel: 01737 242163
Bridgegate Cycles
33 Bridgegate
Retford, Notts
DN22 7UX
tel: 01777 705976
Rugby
Thorntons
100 Cambridge Street
Rugby, Warwickshire
CV21 3NH
tel: 01788 572 440
Sheffield
Albert Butterworths
547 Abbeydale Road
Sheffield
South Yorks S7 1TA
tel: 0114 255 2165
Stan Jones Cycles
17A Hills Lane
Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY1 1QU
tel: 01743 343775
Shrewsbury
Beeline Bikes is a superb bike shop with staff who are friendly, supportive, open-minded, willing,
patient and well-humoured. In addition, they know their bike-mechanic stuff. They make things work.
I'm forever indebted. It's the best place in Oxford.
Hannah
Roberts, Oxford
Always friendly and helpful. Discounts to club members. And they have a couple of club nights a year
when there is a 20% discount; on bikes too.
Simon Bird,
Reading
Couldn’t speak highly enough about this retailer. Pete the mechanic is enthusiastic, knowledgeable &
highly efficient in covering everything from minor jobs on my grandson’s mountain bike, brake cables
on my BMC tourer and a complete gear overhaul on my ancient Peugeot road bike. Their pricing
structure is also very reasonable they will not add unnecessary new parts. Top Shop.
Barry Taylor,
Reigate
Bridgegate Cycles is the best shop locally. Dom Battersby who owns the shop is really friendly, gives
sound advice and carries an excellent range of stock as well as servicing bikes. I used to work in
Retford that is how I became aware of the shop. Then when work moved me to the south of
Nottingham and I thought it was too far to travel. However I soon found to my cost that was a bad
decision after taking my road bike to be serviced elsewhere. So now I just go to Bridgegate Cycles,
as I said to Dom, I’ve tried the rest and come back to the best.
Thorntons is a superb shop and it's a pity there isn't an award for them, because it's deserved. David
Thornton is in charge and he is knowlegeable and extremely co-operative. His advice to me was
100% to meet my needs. It's an independent shop with a small staff. When young lads are taken on
they seem to be trained in an apprenticeship- type way which is very effective. The service is
excellent. Maintenance and repairs are carried out efficiently and reliably. I've been 23 years in
Rugby and wouldn't go anywhere else for a bicycle, spares or advice. Whenever possible, they'll
make small alterations while you wait. Highly recommended, without reservation.
It's tiny, grungy, crowded with old bikes in for repair and the best resource for cyclists in Sheffield.
Especially ordinary people who don't wish to do their own maintenance.
They'll take your old clunker and make it feel like new, it won't cost a lot and they work very quickly.
If you want a spare part or accessory, they'll not have a big choice but they'll always have a decent
quality product chosen for value.
Stan Jones Cycles is a brilliant shop - they tailor made adjustments to my Trek for my End to End a
few years ago - suitable for a 70 yr old to make the ride really enjoyable.
They are very conveniently located by the Welsh Bridge in Shrewsbury, all the staff are serious
cyclists and the workshop staff are brilliant. Can't recommend them enough.
Mel Sims,
Nottingham
Michael Floyd,
Rugby
Chris Rust,
Sheffield
Ted Barber,
Shrewsbury
6
Friendly Local Bike Shops: CTC Supporter Recommendations (March 2012)
Sutton
Pearson Cycle
Specialists
126 High Street
Town Centre, Sutton
SM1 1LU
tel: 020 8642 2095
I'm lucky to have the Sutton branch of Pearsons as my local bike shop - check out their site, ask
them any question over email, phone or drop in. The team is great, I've bought bikes from them, had
things fixed and got advice on how to fix things myself. Accessories, bikes / scooters for my daughter
you name it - blimey as I write this I wonder why I haven't got shares in them! :)
Marcus
Howarth, Sutton
Syston
Cyclops Cycles
1120 Melton Road,
Syston, Leicestershire
LE7 2HA
tel: 0116 260 8500
J.D.Whiskers Ltd
16-24 Brownfields
Welwyn Garden City
Action Bikes
Central Buildings
2 Chobham Road
Woking, Surrey
GU21 6JH
tel: 01483 757376
Ace Ultra Cycles
82 Blackhalve Lane
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV11 1BH
tel: 01902 725444
Fred Williams Cycles
Ltd
37 Snow Hill
City Centre
Wolverhampton
WV2 4AG
tel: 01902 428407
Definitely recommend Paul and Yvonne Cockbill at Cyclops Cycles. We've had bikes for all the family
from there, always great service and highly knowledgeable.
Harry Longman,
Syston
I can thoroughly recommend J.D.Whiskers Ltd for expert diagnosis and repairs plus spares at
reasonable prices. A joy to deal with.
Joe Harrison,
Welwyn Garden
City
Norman Johns,
Woking
Welwyn Garden
City
Woking
Wolverhampton
My favoured cycle shop is Action Bikes where cyclists can count on skilled staff who are always
helpful, prepared to give good advice and carry out high quality repairs and cycle servicing.
I would like to nominate my local bike shop for a mention. The guy who runs it is called Mike. He is
very helpful without being pushy. His repair and services are very good value.
Jonathan
Hanson,
Wolverhampton
They are a family run business that really cares about customers and cycling. Nothing is too much
trouble and their expertise is second to none. They have their own clothing line with Fred's name on
it and it is a good as anything you can get - designed for this country with our climate conditions in
mind.
I cannot speak highly enough of them and everyone in the area knows them as they have been
established since 1950. I got to know some people from Dubai who were over here doing the JOGLE
and then had problems. They dropped into Fred's and were immensely impressed with the service. I
ride tandem with a Blind Guy called Blind Dave Heeley and they have helped us so much it is untrue.
The gears are on the rear of the tandem and to sort out a problem one of the brothers came out on
the back. Out of interest Blind Dave last yeast year did JOGLE in 10 days - ran a marathon every day
and they picked the remaining mileage on a tandem - 1k in total.
Steve Dugmore,
Wolverhampton
7