Love Bikes

Phil is a nice guy and I really hoped the job he did on my bike would be a good one.
I took my bicycle in and asked for a service. In the past, a service to me means everything is checked, fixed and, if necessary, some things are replaced. I cycle at least 15 miles a day so expect the bike to have some wear and tear. I explained that the gears were skipping so for £50 had my gear cassette and chain replaced. They still skipped so I had to take it back and for £35 had my chain rings replaced: they still skipped. I mentioned some knocking, it’s still there.
Eventually I took the bike to another shop, the man there fixed the gears in minutes (it was as I had originally suspected a problem with the dérailleur) but he also told me exactly what was the cause of the knocking and mentioned that my spokes needed tightening (all things I expect to be covered in a service). He charged me nothing.
Maybe Phil had too much work on, as on every visit, despite assurances my bike would be ready by a certain time, when I turned up to collect it it wasn’t ready and on two occasions he hadn’t even started on it.

Eleventy-​billion stars! Never before have I met such a politically vocal character who isn’t running for a government seat. Philip who runs this bike garage (it can’t really be classed as a shop), is such a character. If you can get past his surly manor you’ll fall in love with a true gent who cares about the world and the people who ride their bikes on it.
Last night I was cycling along when out of nowhere my back wheel slipped from under me and I fell off. Looking at my bike I realise I had a totally flat tyre and had to walk all the way to my destination — I was in a total grump about that! On my way I pass Halfords and another little bike shop on Stoke Newington Church Street, both closed. I was filled with fear. This might mean I’d have to get the bus to work tomorrow. This is not good. Luckily I stroll pass a brightly coloured bike chained up to a church which says «Love Bikes — open for bike repairs». It’s the first time a church has ever really spoken to me. I hear angels.
I stroll on down and Philip invites me in. I explain that this happened to the front tyre a week back and Lock 7 had to replace the whole thing. «Oh no no no, that’ll be expensive. And by the looks of it, you probably don’t need to do that. We can patch it up. Give me 10 minutes.»
So off I stroll and 10 minutes later I return to a fixed tyre. Apparently, there was no need to replace it, they patched it up perfectly for a fiver. On top of that he said I could leave a donation. A DONATION to fix my bike! Wow! Now I think I was squizzed by Lock 7, they did a quick fix that made them the most amount of money rather than actually looking to see what the problem was. Not here though, Philip, also cleaned my chain and gave her a little bit of a fiddle and she now rides like a dream. Philip is my go-​to bike man. Here is the kind of business that needs Unilocal,a place where a real person’s experiences sell the service services. This chap is fabulous.
Also, if you are caught out late at night, as I was, Philip is open still hanging out at his shop and he’s more than happy to help. He also sells bikes, but nothing stolen so he has a special place in my heart.