What’s a bike shop without bikes? Charles Raspin the bicycle businesses springing up around the Home Counties which focus entirely on cycle servicing.
Surrey Spokes is among the independent cycle services that are starting to flourish in the Surrey area, undertaking repairs at clients’ homes to cut the hassle of loading a bike into the car.
We Fix Any Bike operates a similar service from Dorking, offering a discount on parts for members of local cycling clubs. Xways Cycles covers a radius of 10 miles, from Reigate to Wandsworth, while Bikeologist offers a corporate service option to assist with ‘ride to work’ schemes.
Surrey Hills Bikes is owned by retired policeman Gary Bailey, who has a prized Cycle Systems Level 3 mechanics qualification. He offers a service where buyers of internet ‘boxed’ bikes, imtimidated by the prospect of their assembly, can have them built and serviced by an independent source without risking the displeasure of some high street retailers which have refused involvement with internet purchases
Surrey Hills Bikes also offers fixed pricing for most needs, including wheel building, where customers can supply their own components if they wish. All of SHB’s work is insured and carried out by Gary himself. The only other staff member is Beth, a Border Collie. Sadly, she can’t ride a bike, let alone service one.
Check the links for local cycle services, or relate your experiences on @essentialcycle
