Good bike shop in Wallingford/Oxford/Reading area.

[Crandoggler]

Would like to get my bike squared away for LEJOG and get it in for a full service this weekend/next week and am struggling to find a good place. I know rides on air is in Wallingford, but their pricing seems a bit odd for relatively little.

I'm after a full, proper super duper clean, wheel and gear adjustment if necessary, re grease of all major bearings and new cables throughout.

Anyone know any good shops about?

Thanks.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I was about to say .... Speak to Lee in Rides on air!!

Otherwise, for a proper traditional bike shop and workshop I use Warlands in Botley for most of the difficult bike jobs I can't do myself.

 

[Noru]

I used Velo Specialist Cycles in Witney when I lived down there, great service but slightly out of your area being 10 miles west of Oxford.
http://www.witneycycles.com/storepage467837.aspx

 

[srw]

I was about to say .... Speak to Lee in Rides on air!!

Otherwise, for a proper traditional bike shop and workshop I use Warlands in Botley for most of the difficult bike jobs I can't do myself.

Warlands sold me my first Brompton, in 1996!

I can't add anything else to thread, I'm afraid.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Warlands sold me my first Brompton, in 1996!

I can't add anything else to thread, I'm afraid.

I'll ask if they remember you ....

They still sell Bromptons.

 

[srw]

I'll ask if they remember you ....

They still sell Bromptons.

Unlikely, but it 1996 there were few enough Bromptons that it's not impossible. It was a black 5-speed with an extended seatpost.

 

[Paul.G.]

Ricky at Pankhurst cycles in Pangbourne, probably the best bike mechanic in the area and looks after a few local celebrities bikes too such as the ex rower, James Cracknell.

 

[EltonFrog]

Ricky at Pankhurst cycles in Pangbourne, probably the best bike mechanic in the area and looks after a few local celebrities bikes too such as the ex rower, James Cracknell.

Another vote for Pankhurst cycles in Pangbourne, Ricky really knows his stuff.

 

[spanner48]

i would agree with Paul.G about Pankhurst Cycles:

I needed a freewheel removing. Since the model was unusual, I phoned my nearest LBS, "Rides on Air" in Wallingford beforehand to check that they had the right extractor. They had.

I took the wheel in, and was told that removing the free wheel would cost me £8. Since doing that takes - literally - 30 seconds, I was amazed, and asked them to check. They insisted.

Since I needed the bike later that day, I agreed - under protest. But I've now ordered the extractor online for £11, so I'll not need them again.

But I also asked Ricky at Pankhurst. He said that if I brought in a packet of biscuits, they'd do it for me for free.


A V O I D "Rides on Air"

 

[EltonFrog]

A bit harsh, they’re a very good shop and they have to make living, pay overheads. Eight quid ain’t a lot of money to have someone do something for you using their premises and equipment, which by your post you say is unusual.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

A bit harsh, they’re a very good shop and they have to make living, pay overheads. Eight quid ain’t a lot of money to have someone do something for you using their premises and equipment, which by your post you say is unusual.

And we bemoan the disappearance of good local businesses. I wonder if there's a link?

 

[EltonFrog]

And we bemoan the disappearance of good local businesses. I wonder if there's a link?

Aye, I wouldn’t mind if they weren’t a good shop, but it’s a great bike shop, they do things around the community, organise rides and events and sport.

I think the comments are hollow-hearted.

 

[HLaB]

My friend is a member of this bike shop's club http://www.mickeycranks.com/

 

[Pale Rider]

A bit harsh, they’re a very good shop and they have to make living, pay overheads. Eight quid ain’t a lot of money to have someone do something for you using their premises and equipment, which by your post you say is unusual.

My brother uses Rides on Air as his local bike shop.

He's been going there a few years now and speaks well of them to me on the handful of times the subject of bike shops crops up.

I was in once, nice enough shop, although the stuff looked quite dear to me as someone from a cheaper part of the country.

Eight quid sounds fine to remove a freewheel, particularly one needing an unusual tool.

Problem for the shopkeeper with that type of job is the customer starts with a vague notion it could be done for nothing, so even charging a pound is a pound too much.

My local bike job does 'free' fitting on components bought from the shop, which will often involve removing the old bit.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

The tiny little "Cycle Shop & General Store" in Long Hanborough - just a short walk from the train station - is the best-kept secret in the Oxford area for bike servicing. But don't tell anyone. Booking essential and no they don't have a website.