We’ve gone from East to West, North to South and finally it’s time for central London!

Our choices are all independent bike shops that we know and love. As always, we encourage contributions in our comments – please share your favourite choices to help fellow cyclists!

Soho Bikes

26 Berwick Street, Soho W1F 8RG    Tel: 0207 439 9577

In the heart of central London, Soho bikes is a great bike shop. It carries mainly Trek and Genesis bikes for urban riding, but it also has some really very fancy mountain bikes for when you need to escape the city. The workshop can do pretty much any kind of servicing, and it has a well priced list. The accessories section is small but perfectly formed, with some great urban style items: they stock Chrome Industries, Bern and Knog to name but a few.

Soho bikes has an excellent coffee shop that also serves food. They also hold events in store so its worth checking out them out next time you are in the area, even if you sans bike.

Condor Cycles

49–53 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8PP    Tel: 020 7269 6820

Condor have had a bike shop for over 65 years. They make their own frames and build up bikes to any specification. Their shop on Greys Inn road is an Aladdin’s cave of components and accessories up stairs. Downstairs there are so many nice bikes, the kinds you kind of just have to touch but probably shouldn’t.

They have a full service department and loads of components for any upgrade your heart desires. Accessories wise, they have performance orientate things, but also some great urban items – this is where I got my Mission Workshop bag. The staff really know their stuff and can advise on parts and they also have a bike fitting service.

Look Mum No Hands!

49 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HX   Tel: 020 7490 3928.

No strictly a bike shop as it doesn’t sell bikes, but it does deal with all other things bike related including excellent servicing and accessories. They also have their own line of clothing and accessories, some of which are great for urban riding. Their have lots of mechanics and can do most repairs on most bikes.

Of course, they are a cafe, and a damn good one at that. They have really lovely coffee, some excellent looking food and beer on tap. There is a lot of seating so it’s a great place to go and get work done (although be aware that they turn off their wifi over lunchtime). Finally, Look Mum host some great events, it is definitely worth checking out their calendar.

London Green Cycles

4 Chester Court, Albany Street, NW1 4BU  Tel: 020 7935 6934

London Green Cycles are situated just to the East side of Regents Park. They specialise in cargo bikes, so if you have been feeling like your loads are outstripping your bike’s carrying capability then these guys are for you! They have an amazing range of bikes in stock, ones for carrying extra people or extra things. They also stock a wide range of everyday accessories suitable for any kind of rider. The workshop will service other bikes as well. They also do call outs if you can’t take your bike to them.

On top of this, they have cargo bikes to hire. If you have ever wondered if they would fit into your life or flat then it’s a great way to find out. It is also a great way to move smaller loads around London – probably easier than driving if you are not used to it!

Cloud 9

38 Store St, London, WC1E 7DB  Tel: 0203 20 50 190

Cloud 9 cycles are to be found in Bloomsbury on Store Street. They have some lovely prebuilt bikes, but also do their own bike building. They stock a lot of frames, own brand and others, and parts and can build it up to your own spec.

The workshop services most bikes and they can handle any kind of bike type, including Bromptons and full carbon race machines. Cloud 9 also offer bike fitting services, particularly important if you are about to embark on a full build as they are quite expensive! Finally, they have a fleet of single speed bikes to hire.

What are your favourites?