Bike Repairs in South London: Honest Answers to the 10 Most Common Questions

From the Workshop

A man cycled into our Putney shop on a Thursday afternoon with his chain wrapped around his rear derailleur like a pretzel. He'd hit a pothole on Lower Richmond Road, the mech gave way, and the next 30 seconds were expensive. He asked three questions before he even got off his bike: how much, how long, do you have his parts in stock. We answered all three in under a minute. That is the experience most cyclists in South London are looking for: honest answers, fast, no fluff.

Those same questions come up every day. So here are the honest answers.

1. How much is a bike repair in South London?

Prices vary wildly. A basic puncture repair is around £15 to £25. A full gear adjustment is £30 to £50. Brake pad replacement is £20 to £45 per wheel depending on the compound. A new chain and cassette is £80 to £140 depending on the groupset. A crash-induced rear derailleur replacement: which is more common than you'd think on South London's roads: starts from around £60 for the part alone, plus labour.

At BikeClinique we quote before we start work. If we find something worse than expected, we call. We don't carry out repairs without approval. That is not standard practice across all bike shops: ask before you drop the bike off.

2. Can I get a same-day bike repair in South London?

Sometimes. For straightforward jobs: punctures, cable replacements, brake adjustments: we can often turn things around the same day if you drop off early. For anything that requires parts to be ordered, you're looking at 24 to 48 hours minimum. Full services are typically booked a week out during spring and summer. Our Putney and Wimbledon workshops get busy from March through September. If you need something done on a specific day, book ahead. We regularly turn away walk-ins on Saturdays in June because we're already full.

3. Do you use genuine parts or aftermarket?

Both, depending on the component. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo parts: we use genuine. For brake pads, bar tape, cables, and consumables, we use quality aftermarket brands where they are genuinely as good or better than the original equipment. We are transparent about what goes on your bike. If we use an aftermarket brake pad, we'll tell you why we chose it. If a genuine part is worth the premium, we'll tell you that too.

4. Is my bike repair quote expensive compared to Evans or Halfords?

It depends what you're comparing. Evans is good for parts and accessories but their workshop turnaround times and depth of mechanic work can be inconsistent. Halfords is fine for basic bike assembly and simple jobs. For anything that requires a skilled mechanic: a properly indexed gear tune, brake bleeding, headset adjustment, bottom bracket replacement: you want someone who does this all day, every day. That is what we do. The quote reflects the time and skill, not a markup on a box from a distributor.

5. Do you offer loaner bikes while mine is being repaired?

We have a limited number of loaner bikes available. They are not premium: they are functional loaner bikes for customers who need to get to work or get through the week while their bike is in for a service. We don't charge for loaner use but we do require a deposit. We are up front about availability: if we don't have one available, we'll tell you and suggest alternatives. This is a South London bike shop, not a car dealership. Loaner bikes are a courtesy, not a right.

6. How do I know if my bike mechanic is actually good?

A few signals. Ask them to explain what they've found and what they recommend: a good mechanic will explain it in plain English. Ask them to show you the worn component if something needs replacing. We keep our workshop open so customers can watch. If someone won't tell you what's wrong or gets defensive when you ask questions: that is a red flag. Ask to see their previous work. Look at reviews from local cyclists, not just Google star ratings but cycling forum threads. Word of mouth in South London cycling communities is a better signal than anything else.

7. My gears are skipping. Is that a repair or a service?

Usually a service. Gear skipping is most commonly caused by a stretched chain wearing the cassette teeth into a shark-fin profile. When the chain jumps on worn cassette teeth, new chain doesn't fix it: the cassette needs replacing too. A full service with chain and cassette replacement addresses the root cause. A quick gear adjustment will mask it for a week. We see this regularly. When a customer brings in a bike that skips on the rear gears and hasn't been serviced in over a year, we tell them what we found and what it will cost to fix it properly. Most of them wish they'd come in sooner.

8. Do you repair electric bikes in South London?

Yes. We work on most major e-bike systems: Bosch, Shimano Steps, Yamaha, and Brose motors. We do diagnostic work, software updates, battery health checks, and component-level repairs. We are not an authorised service centre for any manufacturer, which means we can work on your e-bike without invalidating your warranty: authorised centres sometimes require you to go back to the original seller for warranty work. E-bike repairs take longer and cost more than standard bike repairs because of the additional electrical systems involved. We will always give you a full quote before starting.

9. My brakes feel spongy. Is that dangerous?

Yes. Spongy brakes are one of the most common safety issues we see and one of the most frequently ignored. The most common cause is air in the brake cable on mechanical disc brakes or hydraulic systems: either the system needs bleeding or the lever reach needs adjustment. It can also mean worn brake pads, a contaminated rotor surface, or a loose caliper. If your brake lever travels further than usual before you feel bite, do not ride the bike until it's been looked at. This is not a grey area. Come in and we'll check it properly. If you are in any doubt about your brakes, do not ride the bike to the shop: bring it in a car or get a bus.

10. Do I need to book ahead or can I just turn up?

Book ahead. We are a small workshop and we are consistently busy. Walk-in work is possible for small jobs if the workshop isn't full, but same-day walk-in service is never guaranteed. For anything more than a puncture repair, book through our online booking system or call us. Booking means you get a specific slot with a specific mechanic and we know what we're working on before you arrive. For custom builds, major repairs, or anything requiring parts to be ordered, we ask for a few days lead time. We plan our week. It works better for everyone.