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20th December 2016
12:10am GMT
Cycling in Dublin has been undergoing quite a renaissance in recent years.
While the lanes might still remain rather patchy overall (and are too often used by taxis and HGVs as a handy extra four feet of driving space), it’s fair to say more and more people are coming around to the benefits of getting some valuable exercise in the city.
And while getting a puncture (or worse) can still be just as much of a pain as ever, Dublin's bike shop owners are an industrious bunch. So if your bike's had better days, or is in the midst of a blip and in need of lift, we’ve made a list of the best places in the city to get it fixed right up.
A very solid repair stop and easily one of the best-equipped shops in the city. This is a handy place to get some quality advice on your bike and see what needs to be fixed without making a painful trip into the city centre.
Cyclebike has a considerably sized workshop that's well suited to handling the many repair jobs it takes in at this city-centre location. This place also offers an impressive two-year free service on new bikes.
This is a very friendly neighbourhood bike shop with a fantastically knowledgeable owner. Bee Cycles is just the type of place where the staff go the extra mile for their customers and don’t then slap a huge price tag on their work. The spot has steadily been building a stellar customer service reputation since its opening less than five years ago.
Little Sport’s constantly busy atmosphere stands as testament to the fact that it’s the top place in this neck of the woods. They also offer some of the best prices in the city on bikes themselves; well worth checking out if you’re thinking of upgrading or are looking to start off cycling in the city.
Think Bike has a handy, prominent location on the main drag of Rathmines; you can’t miss its blue front. Head around the back to the quieter laneway and drop in for experienced advice on any bike issue. These guys do a busy trade and are used to working efficiently –passionate about Dublin’s cyclists, and giving good prices on minor repairs.
This is a cosy enough bike store and repair shop near Grand Canal Dock and Trinity that packs a lot of knowledge and charm into its walls. Free Wheeling provide a solid service that won’t break the bank.
This is a charming bike shop with plenty of experience under its belt. Pauline and Keith will talk you through your repair job like you’ve been friends for years. P&K is also usefully located on Patrick Street, one of the main cycling thoroughfares in the city, so they’ve got you sorted for a quick routine repair while on the go.
A highly knowledgeable, well established, family-run business that's been in operation since 1917. This place has a convenient location just by Harold’s Cross Bridge, looking out onto one of the south inner city’s busiest intersections, and they pride themselves on a solid service.
Rothar’s existence is a fantastic asset to Dublin’s cycling scene. They now boast three locations in the city. More than simply an equipment and repair shop, this place accepts donations of wrecked bikes and recycles its parts (but can often magically fix one that was seemingly on the way out).
As well as this, Rothar runs repair classes and is generally an excellent place to call into with any bike query – or indeed, for a caffeine boost in their Fade Street café. This is an exemplary social enterprise and deserves all the praise it gets.
The Bike Institute brings an impressive professionalism to bike repair without any signs of the snooty service that sometimes accompanies a business developing its expertise.
These guys are comfortable talking through your repair in plain English, whether it be a top-of-the-range racer or a rusted cruiser. This place also boasts convenient opening hours – from 8.30am until 7pm weekdays (Thursdays 8pm), so you don’t have to sweat it in work wondering when you’ll get a chance to nip out and fix your special little infirmed two wheeler.
