Balfe's Bikes - Islington Reviews 

Every things

I’ve had the same bike for over five years now and it is unequivocally my main source of transport around London. It’s an expensive bike and subsequently very temperamental and whenever I visit a bike shop for advice on repairs, Im told that I’ll likely need to shell out a fortune for a job that I’m then told “might not even hold up due to the design of my bike”.

Ever since visiting this particular Balfe’s two years ago I won’t even get a new tube fitted at another shop as the mechanics here are just that fantastic. For a chain store they’re all so incredibly warm and welcoming and explain the ins and outs of my bike to me without patronising or making me feel like a moron.

Ed in particular whose been fixing my bike for over two years now seemingly always has the ingenuity to fix a problem that an “expert” I’ll ask in passing swears is unfixable and just needs to be entirely replaced for an arm and a leg.
Not only that but he’ll always suggest to me the most strategic and cost effective way to go about fixing something which is insanely rare considering most shops I’ve been to try to upsell me on just about anything.

It’s just such fantastic service and I don’t ever leave reviews like this; being a Londoner it feels bizarrely alien to write such a positive review let alone be consistently met with excellent customer service.

PLEASE if you’re looking for a place to get your bike fixed, look no further!

Fantastic service from knowledgeable staff. I've had a great experience with staff, who guided me through the CycleScheme process and helped me spec out a new bike perfect for my needs. My particular thanks to Long in his diligence and enthusiasm!

Lovely staff, great service

I purchased a bike via the Cycle to Work scheme from Balfe’s, and unfortunately, my experience has been very disappointing. The day I collected the bike, I realised it was faulty — the front wheel jerks to the left whenever the front brake is applied. This is not only a quality issue but also a serious safety hazard.

I returned the bike to the shop straight away to get it fixed, but after inspection I was told the fault is unfixable. Naturally, I asked what the solution could be, especially since I urgently need the bike and had already waited two months for my Cycle to Work application to be processed.

I would have expected the shop to take responsibility for the quality of the product and proactively help resolve the issue — for example, by offering an alternative bike of equal or better value since this model was the last in stock. Unfortunately, the shop manager, Long, was extremely unhelpful. He told me the only option was to return the bike and reapply for a new voucher, despite my explaining that the voucher process takes months. His dismissive attitude and lack of empathy made the situation even more frustrating. When I pointed out that this was clearly a product quality issue and therefore the shop’s responsibility, Long simply said it wasn’t their fault the bike doesn’t work — in a very unhelpful tone.

I left feeling very disheartened — first by the poor quality of the product itself, but even more so by the poor customer service from the manager. The one positive was another staff member, Balil (apologies if I’ve misremembered the name), who was genuinely kind and willing to help, even if his manager wasn’t.

Overall, I cannot recommend Balfe’s based on this experience.

Your service has been unacceptable!
My puncture repair didn’t last to the end of Essex Road! Before you attempted to pass the blame on me, my bike or tyre. You fitted an inadequate size inner-tube which burst not punctured by foreign objects. See picture of the tube attached. You charged more than quoted amount because of your inadequate stock? Despite charging you still fitted wrong size tube.

Got my bike and accessories with this branch through Bike2Work Scheme. Super happy with their services. Everyone I interacted with was very enthusiastic and efficient. I’m glad I chose this company!

I just turned up on their doorstep and they changed my tube within 15 minutes. The mechanic also gave me really helpful tips on maintaining my bike. Thank you to everyone.

Great customer service and knowledgable staff

The staff from the store was not interested in answering my questions about the things i was buying which i think was very rude.

I’ve been here twice one was for a puncture on my rear wheel. Which they did straight away.
My 2nd experience I went for my chain to be looked at.
They looked at immediately and fix the problem in minutes. When how much they refused any payment.
I really appreciated it. There are good people around.
Thank you

Perfectly friendly, but poor communication from the workshop after the initial enquiry, seemed more focused on up selling me than fixing what I wanted.

A bit of a mixed bag. Some of the staff are outstandingly helpful, others not so much. When I went in on Thursday evening around 6:50 with a problem with my chain, I was told they didn’t have time as they were about to close and was advised to use an app instead. Pretty poor service, especially given I’ve spent thousands of pounds with them.

By contrast, when I went in at a similar time the following evening, it was a completely different experience. I was actually there to buy some clothing and only mentioned the chain in passing, yet the person I spoke to insisted on helping and even directed me straight to the workshop, where I was looked after brilliantly. On a Friday night, I wouldn’t blame anyone for wanting to shoot off early for a beer, but instead he went out of his way to get it sorted.

That contrast — brushed off on an ordinary Thursday, yet properly helped on a Friday when I hadn’t even asked for it — says a lot about the difference in attitude between staff.

Very helpful and quick service in an emergency. Diagnosed my problem straight away (contaminated discs annd brake pads) and repaired it within 30 mins.

efficient service with good communication.

Great customer service. The Islington staff were very helpful and attended to every single request.

Always great service at Balfe’s.