I haven't trooped around to anywhere near as many bike shops as @Lindy from Brunswick (see review below), but I can certainly see what she's getting at. While attempting to buy some bike accessories at another bike shop (NOT Lygon Cycles) I copped a bit of "attitude". Seems that if you're not young, fit, and lycra-clad, some bike shops take it as a licence to sneer at you. Fine. I'll take my money and go elsewhere - straight to Lygon Cycles.

At Lygon Cycles, no one will sneer at you. They're enthusiastic about bikes, but they don't mind if you're not. I enjoy riding my bike, but I look upon it purely as a means to get from A to B. I'm not into bike culture, I don't drool over other people's bikes, and I have neither the time, the ability, nor the inclination to become familiar with all the components of my bike and figure out what's wrong and how it might be fixed. Frankly, I'd rather pay someone to do it for me.

So recently when the brakes on my bike started getting too soft (I had to squeeze the left one really hard to get any response at all), I thought about where I could get my bike serviced. Lygon Cycles had been pleasant enough on an earlier occasion when I needed some bike accessories, they are a short ride away from where I live, and they had a couple of positive reviews on WOMO. Good enough for me, so I decided to give them a try.

I was served on each occasion by the friendly and helpful Riley. He did a quick examination of my bike, and said he felt the most basic service (bronze level) would be the appropriate one to fix the brake problem and deal with any other minor problems that might exist. It costs $69; see their website for a list of exactly what you get for that price, and for a comparison with their higher-level services.

It's an electric bike, and Riley made it clear that they wouldn't touch the electrical parts. That's OK; I wasn't expecting them to. I only wanted the bike bits serviced, not the electrical bits. The electrics generally work fine anyway, and a little application of WD-40 sorts them out when they're not. If I ever had a problem with the electrical parts, I'd probably go back to the place in Cheltenham where I bought it.

Riley assured me that if they discovered any problem that wasn't immediately apparent, that might need extra parts and therefore bump up the price, they'd phone me and get my OK before going ahead. Fine with me.

I hadn't made a booking, and Riley warned me that they were pretty busy and might not even get to my bike for a couple of days, but that was OK - I didn't need it back urgently. And in any case, it was only two business days later that I got the call to say the bike was ready to be picked up, so they seem to run an efficient operation. The price remained the $69 that had been initially quoted - there was nothing extra to pay.

The brakes are now working just fine, and I'm a happy customer. I will definitely be returning to this business when my bike needs another service. Top marks.

Approximate cost: $69 bronze service

After trooping around 8, yes 8 local cycle shops to purchase a basic 'middle of the road' bicycle, was met with a mix of indifference, slack attitude, zero customer service. Yes I am a middle aged woman, but I have money to spend! This store tops it with genuine enthusiasm, interest, finding out other options for you. Could not recommed this business more highly, and I made sure I let them know at time of purchase. Well done boys.

My most 'local' bike shop. The staff are very friendly, never overbearing, and if you just want to sticky beak then they're OK with that too. I've been very happy with the mechanical jobs that they've done for me. They are certainly competitive on price and will negotiate on bigger ticket items.

Have had various bikes repaired here, and bought a bike here. They're excellant, they take time to explain things and the bikes I've had serviced have been really good to ride