Tuesday Treats 109: Garage Bikes

Your once a week dose of retail therapy from Singletrack’s Premier Dealers, stockists and advertisers.

Tuesday Treats gives you a quality serving of independent bike retailing and a chance to win big in this week’s prize draw.

This week, we’re revisiting Garage Bikes.

To Morley! Just south of Leeds, in the not too shabby shadow of the grand Town Hall, is this rather dandy bike workshop/bike fetish/hangout … Garage Bikes. Al is not only the main man but owner of some pretty substantial sideburns …

Apart from the obvious… We’re all a year wiser, what’s changed in the last year?

I’m (Al) definitely a little more grey around the edges, But it’s okay Sarah reckons salt and pepper sideburns make a chap look rugged. Our very own Joe joins me in Cytech qualified status and we have another mechanic, Hannah, currently training.

Our little shop gets more and more stock every week and we are proud to announce that we are now a Fox Fork Test centre. It’s all well and good us telling you how awesome Fox Forks are but now you can try one out for yourself and see the improvements in the 2015 range. Details are here (http://www.garagebikes.co.uk/fox-fork-test-centre/)

I’m told that I need to ‘bang on about’ how well we do with the ladies. I mean, that is, how popular Sarah’s women only shop rides are. Never less than ten of them, all abilities and fitness welcome. Details of those and the regular shop rides are on our website as well as the shop’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. And you can check us out on Google Streetview

How do you compete against the big onliners?

Service. Plain and simple. Every bike we work on we stand back and ask: “If that was mine would I be happy riding it?” We genuinely love what we do here and I really hope our passion comes across in the service we offer and the work we do. The big onliners can’t tell you where the best local riding is or talk to you about upcoming events/races.

What about this new wheel size?

Don’t get me started on whether there is a genuine MTB need for a new size. However my next bike will be 27.5, either the lovely Pivot Mach 6 or if Ibis can pull their thumb out with the 27.5″ HDR maybe be that one. Then again the Kinesis Sync in my size. Choices, choices…

Tell us about your custom services and what about demo bikes?

We’re still a Fox Service Centre and as far as demo bikes go if you ask nicely enough and stump up a security deposit there’s bikes from Kinesis, Ibis and Pivot to have a go on. As they’re the bikes we play out on though you’d have to put up with our quirks of set up.

What’s your current best-selling/hottest product?

Lezyne lights and pumps, Hope Wheels and Met helmets. All awesome reliable stuff from lovely people.

Which product/brand does every staff member have on their bike?

Shimano for brakes and drive train great value for money and untouched reliabilty. Hope for wheels and finishing kit; awesome gear and superb service even if they are on the wrong side of the Pennines. We run both manufacturers on our mountain, road and cross bikes.

What brand of tea bags do you use?

Yorkshire tea of course! But mostly we’re a coffee fuelled establishment.

What do Singletrack Subscribers get from you guys?

Garage Bikes offer Premier Subscribers 10% off all repairs and servicing. 5% off parts, accessories and clothing.

Tuesday Treats Prize Draw

Click here to win this week’s prize!