Jozef’s Cycles & Repairs

I wanted to buy a bicycle. I wanted to buy an inexpensive, perhaps used, bicycle that was in good nick on which I could determine whether or not I was a ‘bicycle person’ in London. I visited many bicycle shops, big giants like Evans and Halfords to independents like On Your Bike to used bicycle purveyors like Recycling.
And I didn’t find a suitable bike. They were all just too damned expensive. And the shop keepers just weren’t all that interested in helping me. I couldn’t find a reasonable option at the new bike shops. And the used bike shops were trying to sell off rusted up old piles of shit for £200.
And then I happened upon Jozef’s Cycles and Repairs in Peckham. It was only a bit of a trek for me, but when I entered, the wife part of this husband-​and-​wife team* greeted me pleasantly and asked how she could help. I told her I was looking for a bike and she asked me what kind. I told her I really didn’t know. So she started showing me the new women’s town hybrid bikes they had. At a mere £170, I was suitably impressed with this bike’s light aluminium frame that came well equipped with front suspension, mud guards, a pannier and a bell. ting ting. I was encouraged to take it for a test ride, which I did. And it was brilliant. While the bike wasn’t a name-​brand bike (eg Trek, Marin, Specialised, etc), I didn’t so much mind at £170. It came with a 3-​year warranty, a free basic service at 3 months and — I’m sure — ongoing, friendly and inexpensive repairs as and when they’re needed.
While I was in the shop considering my options**, a regular arrived with a broken chain. He was greeted by name, and quoted a price of £20 for a brand new chain and labour to fit it in 30 minutes’ time. While I’m well pleased with my new bike, it’s the kind of service (both cheap and cheerful — but not ‘cheap and cheerful’, if you know what I mean) provided at this place that will keep me coming back and recommending it to others.
This is a brilliant bike shop and repair shop that is so unlike many other cycle outlets in London. I was never made to feel ignorant or unwelcome (as many other London bike shops make me feel). Quite the contrary, actually. If you can make it out to Peckham — on your bike or off — I’d recommend stopping by to see Jozef and his team.
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*I assume they were a husband-​and-​wife team, at least
**which included some used cycles, which I was shown and dissuaded from purchasing, for good reason — the used cycles available at that time just weren’t suitable for my needs