Around Town

Another recommendation for Finsbury Cycles - it's a tiny shop but they're absolutely great - really friendly and helpful - highlyu recommended.
Don't whatever you do go to Simpson Cycles on Malden Road in Camden / Chalk Farm - I left my bike there for a repair and when I picked it up my front light had disappeared - they claimed to know nothing about it and completely ignored me when I tried to complain - they left me stood in the middle of the shop and just walked off - unbelievably rude, I would never go back.

My vote goes to the newly opened, unnamed bicycle shop in a railway arch on Druid Street (near London Bridge). They completely overhauled my mistreated Dawes bike, even dredging up beautiful chrome vintage handlebars and a sprung leather seat for it. Ridiculously fast and cheap service, plus the unique pleasure of having your bike fixed by Thor. No website but you can reach them on 07751016380.

Recently went to Balfe's Bike's in Dulwich. Found the service surly, unhelpful, unimpressive and underwhelming. Go elsewhere.

Another thumbs up for Finsbury Cycles. I tried to buy a bike for my daughter at a nearer, supposedly better shop. When I say tried, I had the money in my wallet, daughter ready to go. However the attitude I received from the salesmen was almost comedically off-hand.
10 minutes on the W7 Bus later (guess the name of the first shop...) , the owner (I assume) of Finsbury cycles couldn't have been more helpful. As a result, it should be no suprise where I decided to spend even more money on another bike for my youngest.

My girlfriend and I both have old dutch town bikes and found that many shops would turn up their noses when approached to fix any problems resulting in recommendations of ditching the bikes and buying new modern one's. Horrified at this attitude in an age where we need even more to reuse and recycle I became increasingly despondent. This came to an abrupt end when five or six years ago we found 'Bicycle Magic' in Whitechapel who will eagerly and politely attend to any malfunction on any type of bicycle with very reasonable rates! Simple, stress-free and snobs they ain't!!!

I would highly recommend Edwardes of Camberwell (a family owned business since 1908) and Cyclopolis, recently opened in Balham.

Please can anyone recommend a shop near E18 that might service my slightly old fashioned bike, without looking down their noses at a middle aged punter who has no aspirations to own a new or fashionable model, but just wants to get on their bike again to get fit!

I sent my boyfriend to Evans in Waterloo after having ead your article and he was surprised that even with a fully staffed shop noone asked if he needed any assistance. When he asked questions about bikes he was offered a monosyllabic answer whilst the assistant carried on doing what he was doing.. He felt he had interrupted so left after finding it difficult to get a response to any question.... Camden Cycles were very helpful!

I am surprised that Finsbury Cycles haven't made the list. The guys are the most helpful ever. Very reasonable and always happy to help. It's reasonably priced and no raised eyebrows about silly questions from novice.

two wheels were not good in crouch end. v expensive service. bizarrely managed to over inflate an "indestructible" tyre (they're opinion) and subsequently tear the side walls...amazing, and they made me pay for the new one! I over supported my local bike shop. Never again. DO NOT GO.

re. Bicycle Snobbery
My first back was a cheap second-hand purchse as I was not sure whether cycling around the treacherous streets of London was really for me. I was slowly getting used to the potholes, the motorbikes and the self-centred black cabs and was preparing to get my old wheels ready for the winter, particularly, I wanted the breaks fixed. I went to Herne Hill Bicycles which I passed by on my way from home to work every day. They took one top-down look at it and said that it was a cheap bike and they would not touch it. I was advised to spend more money and get myself a decent bicycle. Disappointed and disillusionied, I pushed my bike home, feeling quite angry at the arrogance, disappointed at the lack of customer service and stunned by the dismissive attitude. Somebody then recommended Edwardes in Camberwell to me. They told me what they would do, told me how much it would cost and when it would be ready for me to collect it again. No frowns, no raised eyebrows and seemingly they were happy with any business, redardless of how small it was.
A few months later, I took advantage of the government's Cycle to work scheme and lashed out and got myself a great new bicycle. Three guesses where I went to spend my money! Right, EDWARDES in CAMBERWELL. All the staff there have a fantastic positive can-do attitude and I quickly lost my sense of shame when I had to take my bicycle in there to have a punched tyre fixed or the breaks tightned. I am hopeless at things like that and rather work overtime to be able to afford someone to fix my bicycle for me and EDWARDES are happy to do just that. THANKS so much and I think these guys deserve to be in the best bike shop guide and NOT that place in Herne Hill. Perhaps if one can demonstrate that they are preparing for the Tour de France, they might be more helpful, but that just ain't me!

I have to put a massive shout out to "Bicycle" in Richmond - they have a tiny shop, but it is stocked by people who really know their stuff, and put up with stupid questions from me for far longer than they should have to, as well as having loaned me a spoke when I bust my wheel one time. I can't recommend them enough, and would definitely recommend people shop there rather than go to one of the larger chains where the prices might (not always) be better, but the quality and the service can't possibly match.

I recently had a service plus 2 new tyres from Bikefix for my Marin, when i picked up the bike the next day and they went through the bill, i was gobsmacked when they told me they charge £10 to put each tyre on the bike, obviously in thier very tiny print, anyway i paid up and thanked my lucky stars that my bike had only 2 wheels, so when buying tyres for my other 2 bikes there will be no prizes for guessing where i won't be going! HAPPY CYCLING TO ALL MY READERS.

I am greatly surpised to see Cycle Surgery on the list of 'best' bike shops - the service element must have been completely disregarded in this list (They may perhaps beat one or two shops on price. By a few pence in every hundred punds. But the staff is all too often arrogant and unhelpful). The list is suddenly of little guidance - googling for bike shops in London is probably just as reliable.

I'm surprised to see that Apex Cycles on Clapham High Street hasn't made the Time Out list for best local shops. I've been an incredibly happy customer since I bought my bike in 2001 until the time I moved to New York at the end of 2006. In NY, I can't find a bike shop remotely as friendly & professional as Apex. They always provided service with a smile and made great recommendations. Turnaround times for servicing were always swift.
If you're anywhere near SW4 and you have (or want) a bicycle, then you really must make Apex your first choice.