Colchester Cycle Stores

I have a love-hate relationship with this place. Brian Lewes, the owner, is a genuine and knowledgeable man and I would recommend this place based on that. Sadly, there is a certain level of disorganisation here. Staff often fail to communicate with one another, and it seems that work carried out here can vary in quality, as if some of the mechanics are good, and some do not really know their stuff, or staff tell you they don't have something in stock when they do. I would consider buying a new bike here myself, and do send friends here, but only because I then check it over after purchase (and sometimes put things right). One of the good things about this place is that the shop is a proper shop with stock you can LOOK at, rather than everything needing to be ordered in (which, given the efficiency of the ordering-in process is just as well). One of the two bike shops I use in Colchester. There seems to be a very fair first-come-first-served approach to customers which can be a nuisance when you just want to buy an inner tube and the customer in front is discussing a three-speed hub repair for ten minutes, but at least it shows they have time for people. As I said, it's all love-hate.

Took my bike in for repair after the rear derailleur came off. Initial estimate new derailleur hanger to reattach the mech £40. After a week without the bike I got a call, the bike needs a new derailleur, the rear wheel needs rebuilding and you need a new disc brake rotor cost £130. Ok I say just do it. Go to the shop to collect the bike, sorry I miscalculated actually I want £162 for the work. Wow this is getting expensive, but at least I will have a fully functioning bike, OK I pay. Wrong, the rear mech does not work properly. I take the bike back and after spending 3 hours in the shop the problem is a mystery. Question is asked have I damaged the bike, no haven't really been on it. Leave the bike with the shop for two whole weeks. Eventually they find out what was wrong. They fitted an incompatible derailleur, wow. Despite me not having a bike for two weeks due to their mistake, they ask me for another £5 since the compatible derailleur was more money. Total cost £167. Poor service.

Great service, quick turnaround and reasonable price. They were honest and managed my expectations well. The work was all done to a high standard. Will definitely be back.

Adam and Andy are the guys to beat when it comes to knowledge and years of experience at Colchester Cycles. They both helped with the build of my new gravel bike, and have ensured it's been an absolute joy on the bridleways of Essex. Highly recommend!

They always have what I need. They are always polite and helpful. A very good cycle shop.

I went in to have my bike serviced, the man was very friendly and walked me through some of the changes he would probably need to do and quoted me £40 in total for the service. I said that's great, and how I was new to riding and would appreciate any tips etc.

I came back a few days later to find out they had done "£100 worth of repairs to the bike". Only to then be told after doing these repairs that the parts of the bike were not compatible with one another and this would cost another £70 to fix. The guy told me he wouldn't be happy to ride the bike in it's current state.

I asked why they'd done £100 of repairs to the bike I had not agreed to without contacting me at any point.

DO NOT GET YOUR BIKE SERVICED HERE...

Overall friendly staff and were able to fit me in without a booking, however I came in to have a new tire fitted. I came back to pick up the bike and they had serviced the bike without my permission and charged me for it. Two days later I took my bike to Halfords to get my seat lowered, who also looked over the bike. They told me and showed me that the work that had been done on the bike was not very good and the breaks that they claimed to have fixed were still not working as they should. To be honest, I won’t be coming back in the future. Maybe they should ask for your phone number and call you up if they find anything before taking it upon themselves to do work that you didn’t ask for.

My favourite bicycle shop in Colchester. The two members of staff really know their stuff. They do everything from retail to repair and their excellent knowledge and long experience are manifest in their work. If you find yourself queuing outside, just remember that when you ride out on your bike it will have been worth it!