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London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
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@applespider
Best experience recently was 'On Your Bike' on Tooley St where a v nice chap (can't remember his name) gave me loads of info without mentioning the paint job once. He took a wheel off the Eddie Merckx to demonstrate some clever aspect of non-crossed spokes, we had a conversation on gearing where he didn't assume that I wanted a granny gear, explained square tapers/external bearings and he put me up on the turbo trainer to play around with different fits on the Cannondale they had. I learned a hell of a lot in that hour (admittedly from a low base)!
Brixton Cycles were very very helpful but didn't have much in my shortarsed-size to demo with. The Evans at The Cut had most bikes in my size but the woman who served me was on a different planet. Evans on Mortimer St were quite helpful once I got their attention but most female customers in there were trying out Pashleys by cycling round the basement displays...