Dealer Spotlight – Pedal Back Cycling, Hammersmith

2021 so far has certainly been a mixed bag for us all but one thing we’re super excited about having Pedal Back Cycles on board as one of our London Dealers!

Founded in 2015 by married couple Nicky and Ria, the pair have worked tirelessly to establish (in their words) “not your average bike shop”! With a cycle showroom, professional workshop, trained bike engineers, gorgeous food and artisan coffee, both bikes and refreshments are delivered expertly with a friendly smile. Here’s what they had to say for their turn in the spotlight…

1. What motivated you to open/run a bicycle shop?

We were intimidated by a typical bike shop set up and fed up of being ignored, especially as a female cyclist.  We started fixing up pre-loved vintage bikes out of our garage and thought, why don’t we open a bike repair shop that is open, inclusive and friendly to customers, where you can also grab a coffee, craft beer and fuel up?  People seemed to like our set up!

2. What makes your store different from others?

Pedal back is a bicycle cafe, we’re a bike shop that offers artisanal coffee, toasties, bakes and craft beer too.  We offer a chilled and welcoming atmosphere where you can approach our team members and have a chat.  We’re a female owned business, by Ria & Nicky who are also Cytech qualified.  We offer an open workshop where the customer can see us working and grab a coffee and fuel up for their ride.  

3. Where is the best/favourite location you have ever cycled? Your favourite local one to cycle?

Our best place to cycle was Burning Man Festival in Nevada, you go around the whole festival by bike, it’s the only transportation available and it’s a pedal back brake, so you’re just cruising and looking for fun places to explore at the festival.  Favorite localish cycle route for us is Wales, around the Brecon Beacons is great, roads are smooth and car drivers give you plenty of space, watch out for the hills!  We’re Londoners so really enjoy cycling out around London, especially if you can drag yourself out of bed early Sunday morning.  We like cycling along the Southbank, we always stop at Leake Street Arches by Waterloo station to check new street art that has popped up, really worth a cycle there.

4. What is the funniest/strangest request you have ever had from a customer?

A customer came in with a folding bike that had a lawnmower motor incorporated into it, we were impressed by the workmanship and invention.  We helped with the mechanics of the bike, but couldn’t help with the lawnmower motor.    

5. What is your favourite poison (coffee, matcha, beer, tea, spirit, cocktail, energy drink, juice, etc.)?

Girls Who Grind coffee, shout out to the female farmers, roasters and baristas.  

6. What about the Volt brand & range led you to stock them?

We like working with great, well thought out designs and products, especially independents who puts the cyclist first, VOLT does that.

7. What is your favourite Volt e-bike and why?

The Metro, perfect for London cycling and city dwellers who don’t have a huge amount of space in their homes but want to keep their bike indoors and safe.  It’s a great spec bike where VOLT has thought about space being a challenge for city cyclists, without sacrificing the quality.

8. What is your top tip for anyone looking to buy an electric bike? 

Give it a test ride and judge for yourself.  Buying a cheaper option online may be tempting, but going with a UK built brand with a decent warranty is better in the long run.  Plus you always have a connection with the bike shop you bought it from so you can pop in for any adjustments, tweaks or just to have a chat.