• Where is your shop? What are your opening hours?
• How much does a service cost?
• Can I drop my bike off/collect it?
• I've taken my bike to the shop and been told that it's not worth repairing, that I should buy a new one. Is this true?
• Do you add VAT on top?
• I've got a... that needs repairing can you do that? I need a... can you get it?
• How long will you need my bike for?
• How long will I have to wait for a booking?
• Do you buy bikes?
• Can you give an accurate collection time?
• Call anytime - really?
• Do you sell bikes?
• I'm at work all day, when can you pick up my bike?
• Will you clean my bike?
• How do I know you're not going to steal my bike?
• Is it really worth repairing my bike? I can buy a new one for.. £xxx
• How long does it take to check over a bike and give a quote?
• What payment methods do you accept?
• Why haven't you replied to my message/web site booking?
• Who does your advertising?

OK, this is the big one and to a few people seems a real stumbling block. South Coast Bikes is NOT a shop. We are NOT a retail business. As a business we are part of the service industry. We provide a unique, customer focused service. All you have to do is pick up the phone or click and type. We come to you, go through your bike's needs, take it away, carry out the work and return it. All at a convenient time. A retail business has very different requirements and demands to ours. We don't have to stop working on your bike to deal with drop-in customers. Our business model enables very efficient job and time management which translates into a highly effective service with very competitive prices.

Rather than having set costs we charge by the hour. This is much fairer. The labour charge for a service averages £30-£40, sometimes more, sometimes less. We give a more accurate estimate on coming out to see your bike which we're happy to do free of charge and with no obligation involved.

Certainly! You might even get a cup of tea.. But you must make an appointment first. We don't take drop off work and due to the nature of the business there is not always someone at the workshop.

This could be true but remember that bike shops make more money on sales than repairs. Very, very few bikes cannot be repaired. We regularly repair bikes that have been derided by bike shops and as we don't sell bikes there's no conflict of interest. Give us a call and we'll come and take a look and let you know.

No. VAT is included in all of our prices.

Almost certainly. We have the experience and equipment too, and enjoy the challenge of fixing all types of bikes. We hold a wide range of parts and accessories, have a wide variety of suppliers and can generally track down even the most obscure of parts.

90% of bikes are ready for delivery the day after collection.

This really depends on the time of year. From October to February pick up is usually possible within 24-48hrs. From March to September the wait usually ranges from 3-7 days depending on how busy we are. Booking are limited to ensure 90% of bikes are turned around within 24 hours.
We'll always try to help where we can, but in the spring and summer try to book when you think about it, not the day before you need it.

We don't buy bikes (remember we are not a shop). If you have a second hand bike that you want to sell try the Friday-ad, eBay or one of the local second hand bike shops. We do take away and recycle unwanted bikes. The age and condition is unimportant - we are only after the frame. If you have a bike you would like taking away please give us a call. We will make a donation to a charity of your choice for each bike received. Please, no supermarket bikes.

Yes. None of this 'some time in the morning'. Unlike our parts deliveries we give an accurate time when we'll be with you. If we're delayed for any reason you'll get a call.

We don't fix bikes 24 hours-a-day. But when there's no one in the workshop, due to the wonders of technology the phone is forwarded to the duty mobile. Want to book a service at 10pm? Try it. If you get the answer phone - leave a message. You'll be surprised how quickly you get a reply.

We don't sell bikes, but we do do specialbikes. Considered by some to be better than a new bike.

Collection and delivery is available from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. Additionally we can pick up and deliver from different addresses.

All bikes are cleaned as a matter of course whilst they are worked on. The removal of dirt, grime and accumulated gunk is essential for the smooth running of a bike. It doesn't take long once it's in the stand and the look of amazement on some customers' faces (is that really my bike?!) when they get it back is well worth it.

Yes we did put a lot of time and effort into building a business, fixing thousands of bikes and developing a loyal and satisfied customer base (see the feedback) just to steal your bike.

Please! Don't buy a really cheap new bike. You will only regret it. Take ten minutes to read this article. Apart from all the other negative points very cheap bikes go out of tune very quickly, reducing riding pleasure and requiring more work. All bikes require regular servicing for enjoyable riding. A bike is not like a TV - they do have maintenance costs. If you have a bike you feel comfortable with that's fallen on hard times definitely look at getting it repaired before thinking about buying a new one. Alternatively think about giving it the special treatment.

About five minutes.

We accept cash & cheques on delivery or all major cards over the phone prior to delivery.

Every month we get voicemails along the lines of - 'Hi, I'd like to get my bike serviced. Could you give me a call please'
Notice something missing? No phone number. Makes it impossible to get back to you. Same with booking through the web site, if the email address/phone number provided is wrong there's not much we can do.
We do reply to every message we receive. If you haven't heard back from us, have another go.

Our flyers and adverts are designed by the very talented Steve Swingler. Click here for his homepage.