Cycle Shops

More bike shops FTW. Recession? What recession?

Not sure if the recession will have a negative impact on sales - bikes are cheaper than cars or public transport on the whole. Brixton Cycles repair service is heaving at the mo, I assume due to it being Spring and people realising there's cheaper fun to be had.

Anyway, my plug for the day is http://www.retrodicorsa.cc/Retro_di_Corsa/Intro.html run by Hutch who is not only a lovely, bloke, but has funny children too! A room full of beautiful frames. Oh and he's on here too, under the name retro_di_corsa funnily enough.

New bike shop opening on Creek Road on April 4th...

http://cyclesukgreenwich.blogspot.com/

Don't know if it'll be any good, but they've been proactive about getting feedback from cyclists (talking to the Greenwich LCC group I think) which is a good start.

And they're talking about lending out courtesy bikes while people have their bikes in for repair, which is nice.

I live above that shop- they seem to have workmen in doing things for a couple of days, then nothing will happen for weeks, then the workmen turn up again.

Hmm, Damn It Dammit!

Done.

Going on the condition of the place if they have stock arriving it would have to be left in a big heap in the middle of the shop, surrounded by sheets of MDF and old copies of The Daily Sport

I'd like to mention Picton Cycles in south Liverpool. They've the only place around these parts that stocks fixed bits, the prices are good, and the shop is really friendly. They helped my a lot with my latest build, really went out of their way to dig out parts for me. Oh, and they've got a web shop as well.

Just added to the Edwardes Cycles photos, above.

Also added Picton Cycles and CyclesUK-Greenwich. Retro di Corsa added to Cycle Shops Online list.

Anyway, my plug for the day is http://www.retrodicorsa.cc/Retro_di_Corsa/Intro.html run by Hutch who is not only a lovely, bloke, but has funny children too! A room full of beautiful frames. Oh and he's on here too, under the name retro_di_corsa funnily enough.

+100! Hutch sorted me with my frame, and he chucked a load of bits on it for cheap as well, top bloke and as you say cool kids!

^ where is that shop of his? website doesn't tell (well without that plugin thingy anyway).

Not so much a shop as his flat. Just send him a PM or something he'll be happy to chat I'm sure..

I am not one to use foul language but: Tibbs of Canterbury: What a bunch of usless, miserable, ignorant, wankers.
Get to the shop after walking 4 miles (5, yes 5 punctures and two split tubes on one 20 mile ride to work) at 9.05. :
"We don't open till 9.15", despite front door being open and two blokes sitting behind the counter drinking tea.
So I wait
The first thing I do is buy 3 new tubes, so I'm a paying customer.
Then:"can't lend you a spanner cos of our insurance" So I have to buy a set of 13 - 16mm cone spanners, then another 17mm to do a 20second job of loosening wheel bearings that slipped tight when I did up the axle nuts.
"or you could put it into our workshop, but there is a minimum charge of £25": For a 20 second job!
A real can't be arsed attitude.
I was a fairly regular customer, odd bits and pieces. Now I would rather stick pins in my eyes.

Toodle fucking pip.

Its the turn of KIWI CYCLES. I popped in there today. Owned by (Kiwi) Paul, and ably run with Grant. Good blokes, who know their stuff. What Paul doesn't know about bikes, is best left on the head of a pin. Closed on Sundays, and on Mondays (building and repairing bikes in the workshop) - they're open Tuesday to Saturday.

Paul built up my **Bowery, **so I'm obviously a fan.

Kiwi Cycles:-a good mention, GA2G.

I was there on Wednesday. Paul in the workshop couldn't be more helpful in sourcing a couple of small, fiddly but important bits. And in the shop Grant sorted me out with a good vintage jersey... could do with a mirror in there though...the folks at the bus stop got a floor show as I kept stepping outside to get my reflection in the shop window!

You should have gone round with a Rapha hat for the floorshow.

Good call, Ashe!

Edwardes sourced the Pink Pinacolada for me.

Clarke is defo the man to talk to for track kit.

That Ridley is very nice, and available at a negotiable price. Well, Clarke negotiated with me, but the bike was too big. Which led to him mentioning he could get a Pinarello cheap "but there's a bit of a problem with the paint.... "

;-)

I popped into Edwardes of Camberwell yesterday.

It was a revelation, in how much stuff they have in there, and how well looked after SS, Fixed and Track riders are.

They've got Bowerys, MashUps, SE Lager, Charge Plugs, Plug Racers, a gorgeous (to me) Iron Horse Transit (in army green, only £329!!!), fully built up Ridley Ovals, their own brand of racer(s)/fixed/ss (with your own colour choices for no extra). Also, a few second hand SS bikes outside the shop, for about £150.

Very very very nice. Strong, and fast. Okay, I'm biased. I love it....and the bonus, is that its already built up. Or spec it yourself.

Anybody know of a central shop selling 1/8 chains which will be open past 6pm tonight?

Tomasito

http://bikefix.co.uk/

7pm

winner. cheers.

I meant central London, not central Staffordshire. But thanks anyway :)

I seem to have fallen into the same SBR trap as hellomiles. According to bikepimp, they had the cheapest Mavic Open Pro rims. So I ordered one and, before the end of the day, I received an email saying they had supply problems. I WAS hoping to pick it up and re-build my wheel this weekend...

Not a independent shop but got to say that the Bike Hut shop in Twickenham has been fantastic to me. Yep they may be part of Halfords, but the guys in there are all cyclists and are happy to help. Given me discount on parts and John and Shaun both ride fixed/single speed.

southBank bikes on Wandsworth Road are to be avoided.. really bad bike shop, a few months ago i was having some work done on my MT and after a few miles the Front wheel came undone!
crap, crap, crap..

has anyone any experience of ciclos uno in hainault?

http://www.byercycles.co.uk/index.htm
Bought some bits of these guys, very helpful.

has anyone any experience of ciclos uno in hainault?

I'm pretty sure 50/14 has had business with them. PM him or catch him at one of the London drinks.

EDIT:
Sadly, this can no longer be done, as 50/14 has gone to the big velodrome in the sky.
R.I.P. fiddy. Always missed.

http://www.byercycles.co.uk/index.htm
Bought some bits of these guys, very helpful.
Its now added. Cheers.