Good bike shop in Wallingford/Oxford/Reading area.

[EltonFrog]

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.

Good grief! I’ve ridden and driven past that place hundreds of times and never knew that was there!

 

[spanner48]

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.

"Unusual"?
Definitely yes. My old LBS [Berkshire Cycles in Woodley] just used to suggest putting £1 in the Charity Box.

And sorry: you may say "hollow hearted" but I say that I know a rip-off when I see one. £8 is a small amount. But a straw shows which way the wind is blowing. And that cost – for 30 seconds work with £11-worth of kit – is definitely a rip-off.

 

[vickster]

"Unusual"?
Definitely yes. My old LBS [Berkshire Cycles in Woodley] just used to suggest putting £1 in the Charity Box.

And sorry: you may say "hollow hearted" but I say that I know a rip-off when I see one. £8 is a small amount. But a straw shows which way the wind is blowing. And that cost – for 30 seconds work with £11-worth of kit – is definitely a rip-off.

Keeping an LBS going is not simply down to the cost of the tools though. Rent, rates, utilities, staff costs, insurance (building, content, liability) etc etc. In these tough times for the high street, an LBS needs to charge what may be a high amount for the time taken but I’m sure it’s not a rip off when all overheads are taken account of.
I guess if it is deemed a rip off, go elsewhere or do the work yourself. However, one cannot then bemoan the lack of an LBS if required in future.
Personally, £8 is a very small amount to have a job done competently that I can’t do myself and in reality don’t want to

I’ll soon be paying £20 to have a chain and cassette fitted which for me is a bargain

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Good grief! I’ve ridden and driven past that place hundreds of times and never knew that was there!

In a couple of years hopefully you'll be able to ride past there on a cycle path that goes all the way to Bladon!