Servicing in London

I am planing to buy a second hand (vintage tourer) bike in London for a small tour during my visit in London.
therefore I am looking for a servicing shop in London for making all the needed servicing to the bike before departure.
Have you any suggestion ? I was looking for Evan shops, is there anyone in particular suitable for the purpose ?
Suggestions (or offers) for a second hand tourer are also welcomed.

C.

which bit of London?

I have no particular preferences, even a location near a railway station for the north will be more suitable. I am indeed interested to the national route 6 and I am thinking to go by train up to Derby or Nottingham and than returning in London by bike.

I would stay clear of Evans. The quality of services varies too much from place to place. Given when you want to catch a train to, Fitzrovia cycles or look Mum No hands would all be fairly convenient.

Another thought - if you are planning on taking you bike by train, make sure you check out the train company's bike policy here http://www.nationalrail.co.uk , you may need to book a space for you bike on the train in advance.

You also really need to call them first before bringing them in.

They'll likely to have a backlog of service to do.

Thank you for all the suggestions.
Final question: have you have indication about a shop/market where a vintage touring bike could be found ?

You'll find it to be a struggle and likely to be very expensive.

Second hand tourer usually tend to be worn to fuck, last customer who got his 15 years old Dawes Galaxy 531 serviced end up paying £270 for the pleasure (whole new drivetrain and rear wheel).

Hipster vintage shop will be too expensive at around £300-400 that'll be better off just buying a Ridgeback hybrid that come with rack and mudguard.

Secondly, why vintage? Old touring bike (especially Dawes) is never great to ride, it's very flexy compare to today standard OTP tourer, even modern hybrid are better at handling heavy load than old tourer with tiny quill stem and skinny tubing.

I like vintage for a couple of reasons.

1. style.
   
2. cost (a vintage audax/tourer, in decent conditions, can be found at half price of an entry level new tourer (very often ugly …).
   

@Cacioricotta Nothing is cheap in London, even second hand bicycles from gumtree, it may take you some time to go through auction sites/classifieds section to find one in decent nick that won't cost a lots to bring it back in working order.

Some markets may have some"vintage" bicycle for £300-400, but a very limit choices, it's not unusual for some to be stolen.

Would rep if I could :)

Ed's right, Cacioricotta. You might be very lucky or you may well waste a lot of time going through auctions/classifieds only to find the bike is stolen/has a disguised crack or dent or mechanical issue/doesn't fit correctly/etc. And then you'd need time to re-sell it.

What do you mean by 'vintage' exactly? 80s, 90s?

I'm sure you'd be better off hiring a tourer. You can do this at some indie bike ships I think. Maybe not the poetic dream but would take the pressure off you.

If you are on the hunt for a second hand bike, of any 'vintage', you might do well to let us know what sort of size frame you'd like - toptube length etc.

If you really wand vintage (pre 1985 steel only) check out: http://sargentandco.bigcartel.com/products Though he is closed for a while though may still sell on-line. Based in Hackney, nearest station Finsbury park

I've got a few 80's touring frames to choose from in gospel oak..

And I would recommend lunar cycles by kentish town west for servicing. If you want 'vintage bike' servicing then I think the vintage bike cave is your only option, but it won't be cheap.

much rep for Balfes in Kennington, super nice guys, always very quick and great work.

I am looking for a steel bike (better if reynolds 531 butted) 80s or 90s, frame size 59-60 cm seat tube.
Cantilevers, mudguards and rack are welcomed.

brick lane bikes.. or seabass cycles do quite a bit of renewed vintage. can get good prices.
otherwise cheap style is to get to brick lane market on sunday (morning better), in that street between shoreditch high street station and bricklane, with the car park and the vintage market. very cheap my friend.. but be careful! crap is often just painted over

Be extra careful at brick lane market. lot of stolen bikes sold there.

Yeah i forgot to mention that... :/ unfortunately

Why not buy a bike in Nottingham then - prices are much lower than in London. I've got a nice Raleigh Magnum in good condition, with mudguards and rack, for £120. I'm based in Lincoln, which is about 30 miles from Nottingham Station. I can take some pictures and send them with a full spec if you PM me your email address.