Balfe's Bikes - Hackney Reviews 

628
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TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.4

164-167 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RG London, England, GB

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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 informe... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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 help... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I’m a professional bike fitter and regularly send clients to Balfe’s in Hackney. The staff are great, good range of bikes often at discounted prices. For cyclists who are not very confident at riding... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

When I first visited the shop 3 years ago because I got a puncture, I was served by a sexist guy who told me “you should carry a puncture repair kit even if it doesn’t go well with your outfit”. I’m... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. #62 of 93 best companies in Bicycle Shop
  2. #53 of 121 best companies in Activewear shop
  3. #24 of 32 best companies in Bicycle repair shop
  4. #38 of 55 best companies in Bike accessories store
  5. #11 of 21 best companies in Road Cycling

About Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Written by the company

The Bike Sales and Servicing Specialists.


Founded in 2008, Balfe’s Bikes has 12 bike shops in London and the South East. We stock the world’s best bike brands including Trek, Specialized, Brompton, Whyte, Giant, BMC, Frog and more, plus all the acccessories you would expect.


We are proud to maintain high standards of service in our shops, our workshops and online. View our website for the latest product releases, deals and more to find everything you need to enjoy cycling.


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About Balfe's Bikes

Written by the company

Free Click & Collect
To our 12 stores across London and the South East
Free delivery
Free delivery on all bikes over £500 - Free delivery non-bike orders over £30 (*excluding bulky or restricted items free delivery over £100)
0% finance
Available to help spread the cost via Klarna. Terms & Conditions apply.
Cycle to Work available
Vouchers accepted to save 25-39%
Online service booking
For our professional workshops
Balfe’s personal bike delivery
No unpacking required. Bike built and ready to ride straight away, for local customers

Contact info

  • 164-167 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RG, London, England, United Kingdom

  • 020 38331544

4.4

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

628 reviews

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4.4

All reviews

(628)

4,973 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Findlay was extremely helpful and…

Findlay was extremely helpful and patient. So were aall the staff at the shop that helped with my purchase.

30 July 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We're happy to hear that you found our team helpful and patient during your purchase. We appreciate your positive feedback and thank you for sharing your experience! Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very efficient and professional and…

Very efficient and professional and honest advise.

30 July 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We are happy to hear that you found our advice efficient, professional, and honest. Thank you for your positive feedback! Kind regards, Gee

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Helpful staff

Helpful staff, sorted my bike, communicated well when a part was delayed and gave my bike back in better shape than when I left it! Will definitely keep coming back

22 July 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We're happy to hear that our staff was helpful and effectively sorted your bike issues. We appreciate your patience regarding the part delay and are glad your bike is in better shape. Thanks for your positive feedback; we look forward to seeing you again! Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Help from the sales team in making the…

Help from the sales team in making the right choice

22 June 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We're glad to hear that our sales team helped you make the right choice. We appreciate your positive feedback and thank you! Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Balfe's Bikes - Hackney logo

Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We appreciate your positive feedback regarding our helpful and friendly service; it means a lot to us. Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Check your tyres when collecting!

Edit: if you’re buying a tubeless bike from Balfe’s make sure the tyres have sealant in!

Amazed that they sent out a bike without sealant in the tyres.

Really disappointed in the response. Cost covered of taking to another store to have the sealant added but no good will at all.

Paired with the collection experience I really don’t recommend Balfe’s. There’s much better out there to keep local bike shops going.

——
Great stock, availability, turnaround of order but really disappointed with the collection/ handover experience.

The text and email updates were great, Finley S-L was really helpful on the phone when arranging collection.

I opted for in-store pickup to make the most of the experts, having previously ordered bikes to be delivered and really expected more of a handover, saddle adjustment or similar at least.

Either way, can't knock the offering, just didn't meet my expectations.

22 July 2025
Unprompted review
Balfe's Bikes - Hackney logo

Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear that you were pleased with our stock and order process. We're sorry the collection experience didn't meet your expectations for expert assistance. We'll review our process going forward with regards to a handover in store. We appreciate your feedback. Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service

I found my bicycle shop!! Purchasing my first Scott MTB was joy, but their service made the experience even better!

8 July 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We're happy to hear that purchasing your first Scott MTB was such a lovely experience for you! It's great to know our service enhanced your experience. Thank you for your positive feedback! Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Uninspiring & Cumbersome

Have been in a few times, fair range of Road bikes but a little light on Gravel options. Missing a few core brands such as Cannondale from the lineup unfortunately.

Test ride experience was also very cumbersome. I went in around midday on a Saturday knowing the bike I wanted to test-ride & it took 45 minutes from the ask to get on the bike.. (please note - it was not busy in the shop). I am sure the mechanics are very competent but a simple M-Check should not take longer than 10 minutes (Past experience working in a local bike store). Unfortunately, the gears were not indexed correctly which tainted the experience further.

Coming back in from the ride, whilst the advisor who had sent me out was perfectly kind & professional. There was a lack of knowledge to discuss options for other models with & I ended up going elsewhere.

From my experience here, I’d say that if you have a little bit of knowledge about bikes or do your own research - you would be best to trust your gut & call ahead to test ride a bike to prevent hanging around too long.

29 April 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We apologies that it took longer than expected to get the bike ready for a test ride, Saturdays can get a bit busy in the workshop. Our line up in store are always changing and gravel options is something we are looking in to. We have been training up colleagues in store, to make sure everyone's knowledge is up to date.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

When I first visited the shop 3 years…

When I first visited the shop 3 years ago because I got a puncture, I was served by a sexist guy who told me “you should carry a puncture repair kit even if it doesn’t go well with your outfit”. I’m sick of being served by sexist bike mechanics.

However, my opinion of this shop has changed when someone nice in the shop helped me fix my bike, he was really nice and helpful (he has a purple specialised bike).

29 June 2025
Unprompted review
Balfe's Bikes - Hackney logo

Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We appreciate you sharing your experiences. We're sorry a past interaction made you feel that way. We're happy to hear that someone provided excellent assistance and changed your opinion of our shop. We value creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Thank you for your feedback. Kind regards, Balfes Bikes

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I went to collect my bike after a delay…

I went to collect my bike after a delay due to my mother being taken to hospital unexpectedly.
When I went to collect it all they were interested in was taking the payment balance and handing it over.
No one checked to see if the saddle was the correct height(it wasn’t) or run through any of the the simple riding and maintenance detail.
I ended up having to take it back in a car as I attempted to adjust the saddle height myself on collection and despite thinking I’d tightened it enough it moved very slightly over the course of the week causing my knee to become sore.
On attempting to undo the saddle and set it again it wouldn’t move easily I ended up unscrewing the whole thing completely the fixing fell apart and I had no idea how it went back together (hence the car trip to he help)

30 May 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

We apologies for the experience you had in store on the pick of your new bike and having to come back in to correct the saddle positioning. We can take you through maintenance and best practice's, if you wanted to come back in store, or we could do it when the bike comes in for the first free service.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I was assisted by Frances

I was assisted by Frances. She was very patient, kind, helpful and supplied me with all that I needed !!!
Finley was also helpful with alignment and my bike set-up
I 100% recommend!!
Thank you!!

11 June 2025
Unprompted review
Balfe's Bikes - Hackney logo

Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review, we are glad you had a good experience in store. We will pass on to the team the good words.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Gooddddddddd

Ggooooodddd

10 June 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review. We are glad you had a good experience in store.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Dan helped me get the bike of my…

Dan helped me get the bike of my dreams. Grest advice and customer service!

18 June 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review. we are glad you had a good experience in store and we will pass on to Dan the good news.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very excellent and I’m grateful and…

Very excellent and I’m grateful and thankful for help and support the Service in general is amazing with great teamwork

17 June 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review, we are glad you had a good experience in store. We will pass on to the team.
Balfe's Bikes Hackney

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Few issues which were deal correctly.

Few issues which were deal correctly.

3 June 2025
Balfe's Bikes - Hackney logo

Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review, we are glad you had a good experience in store. We will pass on to the team.
Balfe's Bikes Hackney

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really helpful all round

Really helpful staff, great products and I found a good deal on a bike. After a few weeks I am still loving it and appreciating their free 6 week service

10 June 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review. We are happy that you are enjoying your new bike and we hope you are getting out whilst the weather is still good.
Balfe's Bikes Hackney

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quick and efficient repair

Repaired flat tyre on cargo bike quickly, did a beautiful job and all staff was polite and knowledgeable. 👍🏼

12 June 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review. We are happy that we got you back out on the road quickly and keep on riding.
Balfe's Bikes Hackney

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Knowledgeable staff

Really great shop , good selection of bikes and really nice staff , the lady who served us was very knowledgeable
We got a great bike in the sale A £600 Scott MBike for £419
Thank you !

30 May 2025
Balfe's Bikes - Hackney logo

Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 stars. We are happy that you enjoyed your experience in store and we hope you enjoy your new bikes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful and friendly

Very helpful and friendly. Advised me on helmets, i found a comfy one at last.

16 May 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for your 5 stars. We are glad that you have now managed to find a comfy helmet and can be safe on the roads again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good service - and not patronising!

Changed the headset and gave a general service to my bike. Rides really nicely now. Thanks.

8 May 2025
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Reply from Balfe's Bikes - Hackney

Thank you for the 5 star review. We are glad that you had a good experience in store and that your bike is now riding as good as new again.

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