Some people see bikes, not merely as the fastest, cheapest, healthiest way to get work, but as the centre of their universe. Basically, cycle culture is a thing.
If you want to get in on this surprisingly hardcore subculture, check out these notorious cyclist hangouts, or as we like to call them, the places bikes rest when they’re too tired. Here are London’s coolest bike shops.
Cycle PS
This is top of the list for London’s coolest bicycle workshops. Cycle PS promises to be a “fresh take on a London bike shop”. And let me tell you, Halfords could learn a thing or two here. There are two locations, Kennington and Camberwell. They have a bar and serve great coffee and pizza. But don’t let this fool you – they’re serious gear-heads, too, making custom frames and offering tune ups to all and sundry.
Look Mum No Hands!
Look mum, another café/bar/bicycle workshop! This time on Old Street. LMNH hosts regular events, like their famous cycle speed dating, which we personally would have called Six-Speed Dating, but let’s not get hung up on that. They also put on cycle-culture exhibitions and sell really cool prints so you can plaster your walls with bike-love.
Isambards
Isambard’s in Bethnal Green is an old school bike workshop, so bugger off if you want a café and a chat about sprockets. It’s all sprockets here, mate. Selling new, old and vintage parts, and specialising in bringing battered old relics up to modern spec, they’re a handy bunch of bikers. They also do custom wheel-building from £25.
