The Open Guide to London: the free London guide

I first came across Mend-A-Bike when i was looking for a new 10mm Allen bolt to replace the one that holds the free-hub onto the rear hub as mine had cracked. I went into a different bike shop and asked if they had the part and the shop keeper recommended Mend-A-Bike as if to say, 'My shop is useless, but luckily there's a proper bike shop round the corner.' They not only had the part, and didn't charge me for it, but also sold me some XT thumbshifters (they aren't obsolete as one shop keeper in a different shop told me, they just haven't been made for 10 years).

They aren't particularly strong on mountain bike kit, but are perfect for commuter cycles and road-racing bikes. They have a few bikes that have been built from second hand frames which they spray matt black so that they look quite smart, but don't shout 'Steal me!'.

They don't build wheels on the premises, but they do know about re-tensioning and will do it for free if you buy a bike (wheels buckle quickly if they aren't retensioned after a month of riding, this is only the second shop I have ever come across that knows this).

They're basically the best bike shop I've found in London. They're opposite Fulham Broadway tube station, down a little side street with a Thresher on the corner.