Balfe's Bikes - Hackney Reviews 

Great customer service and helpful advice at Balfe's in Hackney.

I’ve had a truly disappointing experience with Balfe’s Bikes Hackney. I purchased a high-end bike from them last year, which developed a clicking fault. Since June, it’s been back for three separate repair attempts, none of which fixed the issue. The bike is still under warranty, yet there’s been zero urgency to resolve the problem.

After weeks of chasing, a refund was finally approved – only for the situation to get worse. I was told a replacement bike was ordered, then told this was a stock error. My original faulty bike even appeared for sale on their website again, and I accidentally re-ordered it, only to be told that too was a mistake.

Communication has been poor throughout, and the store manager showed no real accountability or proactivity. For a business selling premium bikes, this level of service is shocking.

This experience has highlighted serious operational issues, system failures, and inadequate leadership at the store level. I expected better – and received far worse.

Avoid.

They said item was ready to collect went there to collect wasn't ready been a week still not ready. When I bought it said ready to collect immediately which is why I picked that option, why send a email claiming it is ready to collect if it is not makes no sense.

Findlay was extremely helpful and patient. So were aall the staff at the shop that helped with my purchase.

Very efficient and professional and honest advise.

Helpful staff, sorted my bike, communicated well when a part was delayed and gave my bike back in better shape than when I left it! Will definitely keep coming back

Help from the sales team in making the right choice

Edit: if you’re buying a tubeless bike from Balfe’s make sure the tyres have sealant in!

Amazed that they sent out a bike without sealant in the tyres.

Really disappointed in the response. Cost covered of taking to another store to have the sealant added but no good will at all.

Paired with the collection experience I really don’t recommend Balfe’s. There’s much better out there to keep local bike shops going.

——
Great stock, availability, turnaround of order but really disappointed with the collection/ handover experience.

The text and email updates were great, Finley S-L was really helpful on the phone when arranging collection.

I opted for in-store pickup to make the most of the experts, having previously ordered bikes to be delivered and really expected more of a handover, saddle adjustment or similar at least.

Either way, can't knock the offering, just didn't meet my expectations.

I found my bicycle shop!! Purchasing my first Scott MTB was joy, but their service made the experience even better!

Have been in a few times, fair range of Road bikes but a little light on Gravel options. Missing a few core brands such as Cannondale from the lineup unfortunately.

Test ride experience was also very cumbersome. I went in around midday on a Saturday knowing the bike I wanted to test-ride & it took 45 minutes from the ask to get on the bike.. (please note - it was not busy in the shop). I am sure the mechanics are very competent but a simple M-Check should not take longer than 10 minutes (Past experience working in a local bike store). Unfortunately, the gears were not indexed correctly which tainted the experience further.

Coming back in from the ride, whilst the advisor who had sent me out was perfectly kind & professional. There was a lack of knowledge to discuss options for other models with & I ended up going elsewhere.

From my experience here, I’d say that if you have a little bit of knowledge about bikes or do your own research - you would be best to trust your gut & call ahead to test ride a bike to prevent hanging around too long.

When I first visited the shop 3 years ago because I got a puncture, I was served by a sexist guy who told me “you should carry a puncture repair kit even if it doesn’t go well with your outfit”. I’m sick of being served by sexist bike mechanics.

However, my opinion of this shop has changed when someone nice in the shop helped me fix my bike, he was really nice and helpful (he has a purple specialised bike).

I went to collect my bike after a delay due to my mother being taken to hospital unexpectedly.
When I went to collect it all they were interested in was taking the payment balance and handing it over.
No one checked to see if the saddle was the correct height(it wasn’t) or run through any of the the simple riding and maintenance detail.
I ended up having to take it back in a car as I attempted to adjust the saddle height myself on collection and despite thinking I’d tightened it enough it moved very slightly over the course of the week causing my knee to become sore.
On attempting to undo the saddle and set it again it wouldn’t move easily I ended up unscrewing the whole thing completely the fixing fell apart and I had no idea how it went back together (hence the car trip to he help)

I was assisted by Frances. She was very patient, kind, helpful and supplied me with all that I needed !!!
Finley was also helpful with alignment and my bike set-up
I 100% recommend!!
Thank you!!

Ggooooodddd

Dan helped me get the bike of my dreams. Grest advice and customer service!

Very excellent and I’m grateful and thankful for help and support the Service in general is amazing with great teamwork

Few issues which were deal correctly.

Really helpful staff, great products and I found a good deal on a bike. After a few weeks I am still loving it and appreciating their free 6 week service

Repaired flat tyre on cargo bike quickly, did a beautiful job and all staff was polite and knowledgeable. 👍🏼