The Finalists – Best Bike Shop
18 Bikes, Hope Valley
A regular shop ride, a regular bike shop, and some regular and irregular custom frames – 18 Bikes is not your average bike shop. Their location in the Hope Valley means they’re always busy, but they stay friendly and helpful. In addition to all the usual stuff, they can take on non-standard repairs in their frame building workshop. Plus, they built the mountain rescue an ace wheeled stretcher.
Cycle Factory, Todmorden
Four years old this year, the Cycle Factory shows what a bike shop can be in the modern world. Making full use of social media to promote their bikes, both off-the-peg and custom builds, they’re not afraid to shout about what they do and what they’ve got in stock. It’s not all mouth though, and happy returning customers show that Sam and the team meet up to their own hype.
Spokes, Stoke-on-Trent
Another example of a throughly modern bike shop, the slick website and social media promotion are matched by great community engagement, a top reputation for bespoke builds, and an in-store range of bikes for all pockets. Not a bad achievement for a three year old shop.
