Balfe's Bikes - Hackney Reviews 

A thoroughly professional repair following an accident, understaken by Balfe Bikes on my Brompton electric which rides the best it has been. Balfe reported on the damage in detail, and kept me informed of progress. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

I got a puncture on my way to work and was able to leave my bike at the shop for the repair. The mechanic called me with an update to explain. The staff on collection were also super friendly and helpful despite the shop being busy

I was repeatedly given assurances that my repair (minor - 3 spokes to be replaced) would be finished within a day or two days. Each time, I attended the shop or called to check it was finished, but the repair had not been started. I spoke with a different staff member each time also. After 4 cycles of being told it would be ready and it was not, I asked to speak with the manager. The manager was not receptive to my concerns, and dismissive of the fact that 2 weeks had passed when I had been initially told to return the following day (and then for more false assurances to be given). I asked the manager to consider granting me a discount give my inconvenience and he started accusing me of demanding a freebie.

Overall it was a deeply frustrating experience. Easily avoided and easily rectified by the manager if he’d chosen to hand over some token of recognition of my frustration.

Don’t expect to be treated with respect at this shop, and be wary (do not trust) verbal communication from them concerning repairs.

Great experience in shop! The staff team is really kind and helpful. Bought 2 bikes from them, good service, good bike setup. Thanks a lot!

Always super helpful and patient. Thank you Balfes

Misdiagnosed my flat, then charged me twice to fix it

Took my bike in for a flat front tyre. They diagnosed it as the tube and charged me around £25 to replace it. Picked the bike up and it was flatter than when I dropped it off. Turned out the real issue was the rim tape, which they missed the first time — so I had to pay a second similar charge to fix the problem they should have caught on the initial inspection. Being billed twice for one basic issue, because of their own oversight, isn't good service. Would think twice before going back.

Disappointed. Booked bike for service online. Turned up on scheduled day and time. Was told bike won’t be serviced till three days later. Cycled back home and told them I will be back in three days time. Went back 3 days later. Bike was serviced. Collected bike. Noticed service light had not been reset. “The chap who does the reset is not in”. “Can you come back when he is in”. They want me to ring and check when the chap is in!. Rang and arranged to go in to get service light re-set a few days later. They could not reset it. Told would have to order a new unit under warranty. 4 plus weeks later still waiting to hear back from them. Took bike to a local shop. Service light reset and software update at the same time. Done. £30.00p. I take my bike to balfe bikes because that’s where I bought the bike from. Very disappointed with customer care. Anyone can service a bike. Customer care is what wins customers and balfe’s bikes have lost me this time.

Great service from Innis

Great experience and great service

Great products & friendly staff! Thanks!

Good service. Did a tubeless installation for carbon wheels, spotted a broken valve and installed a new one (for free). A bit pricey, but the level of service is worth it indeed.

Perfect custom service

Purchased a Trek Domane electric road bike from Balfes in Hackney recently. The bike had a number of teething problems which necessitated returning to the shop on a couple of occasions. These were;
1. creaking carbon seat post
2. Tubeless tyres would deflate within a few hours of being pumped up.
3. The electric gear change failed in the middle of a ride.
They sorted all these issues out, but arguably points 1 and 2 (particularly 2) should have been spotted had the bike been thoroughly checked before being released. The mechanic did try to convince me that it was normal for tubeless tyres to deflate and that he pumped his tyres up every day. This is of course bulls--t, the tyres didn't have any tubuless sealant in them, but it took two visits to the shop to get this rectified.
Overall very helpful staff by they seem to be a bit too busy to really provide exceptional service, hence four stars, not five.

All the staff were super friendly! Everyone I spoke to was helpful, the guys had great knowledge of products, and I’m stoked with their recommendations.

Very friendly staffs and customer service.

I bought my son’s Procaliber 8 from Hackney recently, and after looking at Balfes online I was impressed with the range and choice of products, many of which were actually in stock. The website is easy to navigate and I liked the logical automation with regards to customer reward point useage.

I ordered a couple of garments for myself on their easy to navigate website and, so far, have had good communication re order confirmation, shortly followed by another communication informing me that my order had been dispatched dispatched. So far, so good.

They know what they are doing. Good shop