Shop Shenanigans

We at FMFT haven’t always had the best experiences with small bike shop chains in London, but one is now rising in our estimations.

The difference was made clear during a FMFT mini emergency tool searching expedition. It transpired that a 2.5mm allen key was not one that was included in any of the sets that we had, and it was also exactly the size needed to fit my new grips. This was annoying. My first port of call was my local large chain bike shop who (as I expected) told me that they only sold allen keys in sets and I could buy a set, or bring the bike in and use their tools, or get them to do the job. I didn’t want to do any of those things and was heading home with thoughts of borrowing tools from other bike friends, or tracking down a traditional-style hardware shop that would sell me a single allen key. However, I happened to pass the other bike shop local to FMFT’s towering HQ, the independent, with just two shops, 2 Wheels Good.

On the off-chance I popped in and asked about allen keys again. Although they had none to sell they were more than happy to let me have a spare one of the right size that they had replaced for use in the workshop to avoid any risk of rounding-out bolts on customers’ bikes. This isn’t the first time a small bike shop has helped me out in this way and it is what makes the difference when you come to make a bigger purchase, or need the sort of help that goes beyond the tools you have at home. With this sort of service I will certainly be reinstating 2 Wheels Good in Crouch End on my list of places that are worth going with major bike problems.

On the subject of local bike shops the oldest bike shop in the world has just celebrated its 150th birthday. Imagine the number of replaced, but still useable 2.5mm allen keys they must have lying about!

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