BELLS BY THE SEA — bike repair hastings

       

Never have waterproofs felt so needed as during this very windy, very wet season. Cycling to work everyday in the rain can actually be fun if in the right attire (head to toe goretex) but there is no escaping the fact that at best we look like an anonymous blob.

So, when we were contacted by the lovely Otto himself from Otto London with a suggestion that we stock his beautiful cotton lined waterproof rain cape, naturally we jumped at the chance.

It's important to remember that the Otto London poncho isn't your average bike cape. For a start they look great, they don't flap about in the wind to create a sail and the neat, slim fit means you look just as great on and off your bike.

                       

Having the Otto London capes at Bells have brought many folk to the shop who are not cyclists and don't intend to cycle in them. These are the top five reasons we've discovered from customers for wearing an Otto rain cape off your bike:

1) Dog walking. It seems as though people are keen to brighten up their wet dog walk and who can blame them.

2) The school run. Gather all your children under your cape whilst you wait for the bell to summon.

3) The wet walk to work. Pop your bag/rucksack under your cape for dry sandwiches.

4) Out with your baby. The handy slips that protect your arms and hands while cycling work equally well with a buggy and stop your legs getting wet.

5) Layering up. What a coat will never be able to achieve is allow you to put on as many jumpers + a rucksack and still fit comfortably under it.

If you are convinced by the benefits of an Otto London poncho, you can look at the whole colour range in our acessories section.

 

 

I've always wondered whether one day we would have a secret shopper posing as a customer. I've hoped they wouldn't catch us at a bad time, as a huge delivery arrives, as a tired child throws a tantrum, when I've popped out for a coffee, the possibilities are there and not that uncommon. Luckily when Bike Biz (top trade cycling magazine) visited Bells none of the above were happening.  It seems as though after visiting all the bike shops in Hastings and St Leonards, they liked us so much they awarded us the Best bike shop in Hastings and put us forward for the Star Store award - the best bike shop in the UK! 

 

They loved the style and ethos of the shop. They were very pleased with the service, even though it was a very busy day. But most importantly, they loved the bikes! Especially the beautiful Tokyobike CS which our sneaky shopper took out for a test spin and by the end was sold. 

 

I really hope everybody who shops at Bells has such a good experience, our main aim after all is to make a bike purchase fun!

 

Every year the majority of Hastings (and beyond) dress themselves in green. They decorate their homes and shops in ivy and head to the Old Town where they watch a man dressed as a large bush lead a prosession through Hastings consisting of woodland imps and morris dancers. Then everyone seems to get very drunk. This occasion is called Jack In The Green and represents the start of spring for many south coast dwellers.

This year at Bells Bicycles we wanted to capture the spirit of Jack In The Green by holding a free portrait studio in the shop. People popped in wearing varying degrees of green finery and then vanished into the crowds for a day of sun, sea and celebrations. 

This is a glimps into Jack in the Green 2013:

 

 

  

 

                                                   

At Bells Bicycles we understand that a lot of us are fair weather cyclists and that's fine! Your bike may have spent more time than usual in the shed these past months but that doesn't mean you can't get straight back into it now spring is here. Dust off your bike this March and pop down for a spring service. Our friendly and qualified mechanics will go through exactly what needs doing and you'll be at one with your bike once more. See you soon!

Basic service: 

Complete inspection, adjustment, and external lubrication of your bicycle. 

£25.00

Full service:

An internal lubrication of all moving parts plus adjustments and replacement of faulty parts. 

£40

Complete Overhaul

Full reconditioning of your bicycle. We completely disassemble your entire bike. We hand clean all components, re-lube them, re-install them, and re-assemble your bicycle. Then we perform a tune-up. An overhaul gives a dirty, well ridden bicycle a new life and greatly reduces wear and tear on all of its components.

£70.00

Pick ups

Having trouble getting your bike to Bells? We'll pick it up from your home/work for just £10

There is no need to book your bike in for a service at Bells, just pop down anytime.

 01424 716 541     hello@bicycleinfo.co.uk                        

 Bells Bicycles, 4 George st, Hastings TN34 3EG