Cycle shops

[malumbu]

Maybe been done already but my fave is Vaidas in Honor Oak. I do Evans when really necessary (nice bunch in Wimbledon) and similarly Action Bikes for convenience. I did Brixton Cycles for years, but once I stopped going down that route it was out of my way. Finches in Forest Hill are nice, but prefer them for other leisure activitie, being better than the 'specialist' shops around Covent Garden. Decathlon is odd, half the stuff is excellent value and the rest poo. And quite often empty shelves of the useful things to buy in bulk like brake blocks. Quite helpful though. And of course Lidl when the offers are there. Occasionally on line, which makes me feel guilty. Condor were great at quoting me for the cycle scheme, due to my physical needs (ie size) I actually went out to Pershore (Worcestershire) to buy my last bike. 30 years ago I would have purchased from Halfords, I now only go there for exceptional offers, but again interestingly their customer service was very good when something went wrong so be careful of your prejudices.

[mynamehere]

Hey Malumbu have you looked at the Facebook forum: London Cycling? for cycle conversation of all sorts with a big and growing international membership

[rendelharris]

Second Decathlon, the odd bit of gear is poor (steer clear of their lower priced cycling mitts, for example, unless you like shelling out for a new pair every 100 miles) but generally it's very good and their bikes are extraordinary value: in the past year I've bought three B'twin bikes, a carbon forked/Sora equipped hybrid for Mrs.H, a similar one for me for shopping/trails and a gorgeous carbon front and rear Tiagra equipped road bike; all of them are just streets ahead of the quality available for the same price elsewhere. Definitely the first place I recommend to all who ask for bike buying advice now. They often have branded gear at massive discounts too.

[Seabag]

Decathlon for the kids, unmatched. Adult stuff is good too, but if you're after something particular, then maybe elsewhere.

I use Evans on Canary Wharf, service level there is good.

Balfe's I like sometimes

And Cadence (?) the Giant dealer in Crystal Palace on a Sunday is ok.

I used to use Edwards years ago, in Camberwell. It had a no messing will do vibe.

Sea Bass cycles at the Bussey is ok too, pricey but helpful.

[bobbsy]

For servicing and related mechanical things, Rat Race in Nunhead are very recommended. Nice guys, quick turnaround, good work.

[DuncanW]

It's great to see so many independent cycle shops open in the area

Cadence is great - welcoming to all, but core market seems to be the more serious club level cyclist.

Edwardes in Camberwell is very good - quite old school but they have a lot of stock and are really helpful.

[Seabag]

DuncanW Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It's great to see so many independent cycle shops

> open in the area

>

> Cadence is great - welcoming to all, but core

> market seems to be the more serious club level

> cyclist.

>

> Edwardes in Camberwell is very good - quite old

> school but they have a lot of stock and are really

> helpful.

Am I imagining the past, or did the grey haired guy in Edwards regularly have a fag on the go?

[taper]

Edwards are great at this time of year as they're clearing post-Xmas stock. They always do me a good deal on a new bike (eg chucking decent tyres and pedals on). Agree Rat Race is excellent for servicing