London is where any bike takes a real beating. From dodging potholes to swerving off bus drivers that could clip your handlebars in a sec, it feels like a combat sport.
If you want to get to your work without wanting to throw your Oyster card in the Thames, you need a bike in its top form. And of course, you can only get one in trusted shops known for durable builds and top-notch maintenance services.
With a hand from our circle of cyclist friends who know every single workaround in this area, we finally have a list for you. Whether it’s a new ride or just a quick tune-up, here are names you can trust.
How much do bikes cost in London?
The cost of bikes in London ranges from £300 to £600 for basic commuter models. Higher-end and custom-built bikes can cost anywhere from £800 to £1,200. Electric bikes can cost at least £1,000.
How we chose the best bike shops in London
- Range of products: We looked into how extensive each shop’s selection was, from mountain bikes to e-bikes. We also considered the availability of reputable brands and quality gear.
- Value for money: We compared the overall affordability of products and services without compromising on quality. We also assessed any added value offerings like free tune-ups, loyalty discounts, and trade-in options.
- Online presence and convenience: We tried how easy it was to browse, compare, and order bikes or parts through their websites. Availability of online booking for services of online consultations was also taken into account.
- Customer service: We evaluated how knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive the staff were when assisting customers. We paid attention to how they explained product features and offered recommendations.
1. Temple Cycles
Location: 240 Brick Ln
Opening Hours: Thursday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Durability is a win at Temples Cycles, considering they design and manufacture high-quality Reynolds steel. Their bikes are hand-built in small batches to ensure precise and consistent quality control for longevity.
We love their range of bike models as well. They have gravel, adventure, and touring bikes. City, road, and electric bikes are also available.
The best part is that they offer a lifetime warranty on all frames, giving us confidence in their build quality.
During our visit, we immediately saw how extremely helpful they were to beginners. Their staff provide expert advice on sizing, test rides, and even offer recommendations on the Cycle to Work scheme.
We also like their online store experience, offering international shipping and transparent prices (note: in-store prices are the same – competitive and fair). Seasonal discounts are also available of up to 25% off on select models.
The only negatives we saw are reports of slow communication and delays in order processing. On top of that, because of the small batch production, there’s limited stock availability for certain models, which can make buying hard.
Loved everything here
“Super 12/10. Love everything here. The staff, the service and the elegant product!!! Immy she is soooo friendly, kind and super helpful and defo professional! I am so glad that I got my first bike here. Thank you for all the patience and help for someone is soooo new to bike. The best gift for my first job! X”
– Yoyo Lin, Google Review
Helpful and kind
“They are so helpful and kind! 🌟 When I stopped by to pump up my tires, they took care of it right away. As an amateur cyclist, I really appreciate it to your help guys. Thank you so much! …”
– Aslihan Altunel, Google Review
2. Condor Cycles
Location: 49-53 Grays Inn Rd
Contact: +44 20 7269 6820
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Condor Cycles is a heritage brand that has been building bespoke bicycles since 1948. They sell their own Condor bike range, with models featuring carbon technology, stainless steel, and fillet brazed steel. Super-light aluminum models are also available.
What makes them a standout choice for us is the level of service and care they provide. For instance, we noted how one client experienced adjustment issues upon pickup and saw how they addressed the issue immediately.
They also offer bike fitting service, which is among the best we’ve encountered in the city. With this, they offer tailored and thorough replacements for handlebars, stems, and other components in the same session.
For highly customised orders, however, you may experience a delay in deliveries. This delay is apart from the lead time, which would naturally take longer.
They make it easy for customers to source all major essentials under one roof too. This is thanks to their wide selection of parts, accessories, and clothing that match their brand visually.
Prices are on the higher end, but we prefer the value for money over anything. Just keep in mind that sometimes, discounts and promotions available on the website may not always match in-store stock.
One of the best bike shops
“Had a steerer tube top cap issue whilst on a ride, went to Condors to look for some help and advice. The staff were very welcoming, helpful and kind. Fish, the mechanic (He told me his name is Fish!) did a fantastic job and helped me remove my old steerer tube expander and install a fresh one. Really appreciate their help. Absolutely visit them, one of the best bike shops in London for sure!”
– Tommy Lin, Google Review
Knowledgeable and passionate with bikes
“These guys are always very friendly and helpful. Very knowledgeable and obvious passion in bikes and cycling. We needed a part last in stock in the store on a Saturday, 2 of the guys could not find it. Asian chap at the counter managed to locate it for us, absolute legend!! Thank you”
– Urban Cycology, Google Review
3. SBC Cycles
Location: SBC cycles, 41 Cropley St
Contact: +44 20 7253 0339
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
SBC Cycles is the place to go for customers looking to score their first custom-built bike. The range of services alone is impressive. They cover wheel building, suspension servicing, and cargo bike customisation – all done in-house.
The shop is highly regarded in the area for its niche expertise and specialised components.
Part of their seamless offerings also includes their helpful staff. Their team provides honest recommendations, with clear communication on parts and pricing.
Turnaround times for services are surprisingly fast without compromising quality. In general, most repairs and adjustments are completed within the same day (a few hours in some cases). Though, of course, this depends on the complexity of the build.
We find their pricing competitive too, even with custom builds. They provide clear quotes and are transparent when it comes to additional costs like parts and labor. The solid customer service also makes them a good investment.
If there’s a downside, it might just be their strict bike pickup scheduling, largely due to their limited storage space. We don’t see it as something that good communication can’t solve, and they’re pretty solid in that area too.
Quality advice and top workmanship
“Best in the area for MTB and gravel riding, stock is fairly minimal covering a wide range of niche items, if they haven’t got what’s needed they know where to get it from. The workshop is front of house usually with a bike being worked on and often a full build on display, well worth a trip for the eye candy! Always helpful with quality advice and top workmanship.”
– Don Lane, Google Review
Always goes the extra mile
“The best bike shop around. They always go the extra mile, and always do a good job. Went in with a small issue the other day and they sorted it for free. Good guys, very professional, highly recommend.”
– James Norton, Google Review
4. Brick Lane Bikes
Location: 118 Bethnal Grn Rd
Contact: +44 20 7033 9053
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Brick Lane Bikes offers a wide range of complete bikes, parts, and accessories. They offer fixed-gear, single-speed, commuter, and adventure bikes.
For customers seeking both quality and style, we’re happy to note that they have an in-house BLB line and collaborations with brands like 6KU and Aventon.
Apart from this, the shop also specialises in custom builds. What makes them an attractive choice is that they carry hard-to-find components for unique results.
Repairs, usually free of charge or at very low costs, are completed on the spot promptly. This is made possible by their highly experienced mechanics who show hands-on expertise, efficiency, and willingness to help even during tight hours.
Beyond the physical store, we also liked their global webshop and international shipping. Rates are competitive and are occasionally more affordable for certain models. In fact, final charges are sometimes lower than initial quotes.
However, we did notice that customer service is inconsistent, with a few issues related to poor communication of timelines. We also wish that they communicate their refund and exchange policies better to avoid confusion.
Kind and thoughtful service
“Massively grateful for kind thoughtful service!!! Took my giant heavy Pashley in, complete with 2x baby seats plus basket as it had parts clattering around due to a missing bolt. They ordered the correct bolt and made it all safe by next day and didn’t even charge me!!! Huge thanks!!! 🙏 …”
– Geraldine Holland, Google Review
Super helpful and friendly team
“Super helpful and friendly team at Brick Lane Bikes, I’ve been a few times with different bikes and they’ve always been eager to get me sorted, and been very reasonable and upfront with how much they’ll charge (I’ve even ended up paying less than what I was quoted). Ash in particular took extra care to get my bike working again when I really needed it. Very happy with the service and will continue using them as my primary bike shop.”
– Skye Davidson, Google Review
5. Brixton Cycles
Location: 200 Coldharbour Ln
Contact: +44 7931 257637
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Brixton Cycles has long been part of London’s biking community, with customers returning after 10 to 20 years of service and purchase.
We’re impressed by their team that can handle a wide range of bikes, from custom Surly builds to Brompton maintenance services. According to the customers, they choose the shop for its offerings due to the longevity of the workmanship.
Pricing is transparent and fair. Basic repairs can cost as low as £18, making it among the most affordable options in the city. We also appreciate how they avoid unnecessary upselling when dealing with customers.
For new buyers, we find their team knowledgeable and helpful. We’ve observed how they take the time to explain parts and repairs clearly without making buyers feel intimidated. They also offer tailored advice based on the rider’s needs.
Unfortunately, we did hear complaints from non-regular customers that their wait times were longer compared to returning buyers. Customer service feels inconsistent at times too, with minor reports of dismissive behaviour, even for general questions.
Extremely knowledgeable
“Patient staff, extremely knowledgeable , weren’t bothered that i already had some components that i wanted to use instead of buying new ones, weren’t afraid to suggest alternatives when i got stuck over what i needed. I have bought bicycles from Brixton Cycles before and have never been disappointed. They constructed a really lovely Surly Cross Check single speed, using my old wheels and seat (and other parts) that i am using all the time!”
– Samuel Denness, Google Review
Excellently crafted bikes
“Cool place. Came here for the coffee if I am honest which was excellently crafted. Great inde bike shop where staff seemed to know their stuff. Small selection of Brompton ware on show too so something for everyone. Small seating area for sitting and there was some food for sale too. Great hang out in and people watch.”
– Omer Moghraby, Google Review
