Where do I get cheaper maintenance?

[Claudia]

I need to take my bike to a little 'surgery' later this week and I really can't workout which one will be cheaper... Evans cycles? Halfords? Cycle Surgery? I know this last one is the most pricey of all 3. My bf keeps telling me to go to Evans but Halfords is just down the road and they don't sound as bad as he says... Decathlon on the other hand has muuuuuuuuuuuuuch cheaper accessories but then again, it's a bit of a journey from where I live and I am not 100% sure they do repairs in Surrey Quays...

Help?
Thanks

 

[vickster]

Must be a local bike shop in East London? Support the independent

Someone will be along soon with some YouTube links so you can DIY

I don't think Evans are great - I was in one the other day and some chap was giving the manager a right rollocking about some maintenance they'd cocked up

 

[Claudia]

I live in North London...

 

[vickster]

Well there must be local bike shops there too

 

[ianrauk]

Find a local bike shop. Give your business to them.
And for gawds sake, avoid Halfords like the plague.

 

[Claudia]

Oooook, will do!
actually I shouldn't be considering going back to halfords indeed. got a mini pump from there last week - little extortion - and it doesn't even work. my boyfriend got one from sports direct, 4 quid - best thing ever!

 

[vickster]

Most high streets have bike shops now (or they always did)

 

[smokeysmoo]

HERE, or HERE then HERE

[EDIT] and of course, HERE*

*other maintenance vids are available.

 

[fabregas485]

I was in a Halfords the other day when I brought my new bike (had Halford vouchers), and they built it for me. I told them to triple check it before they hand it over to me, and turns out loads of customers complain about other Halford stores. One chap brought a bike, and the handle bar came out.

 

[MontyVeda]

DIY is the cheapest maintenance and the best advice i can offer.

plenty of resources online.

 

[Claudia]

yep, looks like DIY is the best option indeed but as an apprentice, I keep getting the wrong inner tubes, tyres and so on... hence why I thought it'd be cheaper to hand it over to someone that knows better than me. I'm a total disaster! I mean, I can get on with the DIY but definitely need help to get the right parts for once!!!!!

 

[vickster]

Ask on here before you buy parts

 

[Claudia]

ok so I need a 26 x 1.5/2.2, Presta inner tube AND a road tyre that will fit fine with it. (my last attempted ended up with a inner tube way too large for the tyre...)

 

[samsbike]

The nearest shop I can thing of that is not a chain is Condor Cycles which is not a long ride from N London depending on where you are.

There maybe also be a local bike maintenance course run by the council and I am sure that evans or cycle surgery did evening classes for women only.

 

[Claudia]

just looked it up. pricey!

but that bike maintenance course you suggested is definitely something I'll be looking into. thanks a lot!