Fred Baker Cycles is a fantastic little family run bike shop on Cheltenham Road. It's a father and son operation, originally set up by the father, who now is getting a little too long in the tooth, and has handed over the reins to his son. It's a while since I chatted to them about the legacy f the business, but I think they have been going for over thirty years... or something to that effect. As you'd expect from a family business, the motivation to open the shop came from a passion about bikes, or perhaps more accurately, a passion for what bikes allows the rider to do. I pay regular visits to the shop and I'm offered as much of a welcome if I'm coming in purely for advice as I am to buy something. Obviously businesses don't stay in business if they don't make money, but everybody at Fred Baker seems to be able to somehow balance their passion for bikes, their willingness to be of help, and making sales s that they continue to succeed commercially, whilst at the same time being incredibly helpful. They do a lot to inspire people to take up biking seriously. read more

Fred Baker Cycles - Bikes Near Me - Bristol, BST

Contrary to all the high end bike shops that cater to those who want to buy flashy gadgetry bikes, Fred Baker Cycles is such a breath of relief. Relief that a normal, homely, down to earth cycle shop exists. The staff here are always friendly and they let you wander around the shop at your own pace, and are always happy to help you out with any biking issue you've got and can't get your head around! They also participate in the work cycle scheme. This shop is deceptively big - it is very long and goes all the way back, full of bikes and their spares. A great, family run business. read more

Fred Baker Cycles - Bikes Near Me - Bristol, BST

Whilst certainly not Halfords sized, Fred Baker is a largish bike shop in Stokes Croft. As well as having an extensive range of mountain bikes, they're also good for road bikes and things like locks and breaks pads - what they're most useful for for someone like me. The size of the place means that they usually have what it is you need (I should add that I'm perhaps not the most demanding customer, though there does seem to be everything you'd ever want to do with bikes here). As well as a large selection of accessories they've got loads of different bikes on display. If you're thinking of a getting a new bike then make sure to stop here just to make sure you've thought through all the options. Slightly odder offerings include electric bikes (at the very top of my 'things I'll buy when I've got far too much money' list) and the weird lycra things that mountain bikers like to clad themselves in. Fred Baker is run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts and has anything the more casual cyclist would like as a result. read more

Fred Baker Cycles - Taken from their website - Bikes Near Me - Bristol, BST

Surprisingly large store with massive amounts of things crammed in. Having come from a cycle-loving family I was impressed with the variety and quality of their products. The staff are very helpful and more than willing just to have a chat with you without subtly trying to sell you something. A very handy shop if you have any problems with your bike too as they do repairs. read more

Handy bicycle shop on Cheltenham Road, the small shop front extends back to form quite a large shop selling everything from helmets and bikes to baskets and mud guards. This shop has been in Bristol for yonks and the cute red and white painted brickwork gives it nice homely look. Inside though its not just baskets and bells - the modern interior packs in plenty of products and there is a service centre at the back of the shop. This came in particularly handy when I couldn't put my chain back on properly - not strictly worthy of visiting the service centre but one vaguely confused look and a smile and they fixed it back on free of charge. Since then I've popped in for the odd accessory and the guys behind the counter have been a little more interested in talking to each other, albeit about bicycles, than chatting to customers but if you ask then you'll get a full rundown of whatever product you happen to be eyeing up. read more

A good trustworthy local bike shop, these guys aren't going to rip you off, and you know you will get a smile with your service! The small bike shop on Cheltenham road does not have the largest range of bikes but they have all your basics and a fair few bikes for you to have a good look at when you are waiting to collect your bike! They know their stuff too, you know that the guys that work here are passionate about what they do, never a bad thing in my books! read more

Much bigger than it looks from the front, so it has lots of bikes on display. They stock mostly Gary Fisher and Trek bikes plus a few others. They can usually handle repairs and services without an appointment which makes it handy if you have a puncture and no desire/ability to repair it yourself! A Bristol-only company. read more

Fred Baker Cycles - Bikes Near Me - Bristol, BST

I personally am not an avid cycler, its something I've always felt would be good to get into but somehow I just never get round to buying myself a decent bike. Because of this, I had walked past Fred Baker countless times on my way to town without ever heading in until a couple of months ago. My friends and I had decided we we're going to do a cycle to Bath, and I had heard that this shop lets you hire out bikes so I went along. Although it is seemingly quite a small shop, when you are inside you realize just how much stuff there really is. They had a good range of bikes on show, as well as plenty more in a catalogue that they could order in for you. I noticed that there was a massive amount of professional cycle related things, and I admit I was slightly out of my depth, but it definitely seems like a great shop if you are into this kind of thing - most of the stuff I had never heard of before! The staff here were lovely and really helpful, and even though I know little about bikes I definitely rate the store well! read more

I used Fred Baker a few years back and found them very helpful, but when i had my bike pinched recently i went back and got a slightly different repsosne. Whether i caught the salesman on a bad day remains to be seen, but he was fairly not particualry forthcoming with information. The shop has a pretty good selection of kit, but i think it may be suffering due to to competition from web based shops such as wiggle. We need to support these places otherwise they will disappear for good, but how can we if the shop staff balatanly want to be somewhere else!! read more

***PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN OLD OLD REVIEW (FROM NEARLY 3 YEARS AGO) I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT FRED BAKER IS NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AND HAS BEEN HANDLED MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE SO PLEASE DO NOT HOLD THIS REVIEW AGAINST THE NEW OWNERS*** - Patti Absolutley apauling experience, I was so anxious after my visit I had to go home and have a large glass of wine to calm myself. Came in with bike as brake cable had snapped after THEY had fixed it previsouly, expected them to fix it FOF as their mistake in the first place, went in told I was wrong that they hadn't fixed that break cable to beign with,despite reciept, offered to fix it for another £20....felt that because I am a woman in my 20's an my bike knowledge being poor was patronized and laughed at. NEVER GO HERE more poor rewiews here from others who experienced service very similar to mine. https://plus.google.com/107722162281287308548/about?gl=GB&hl=en-GB#107722162281287308548/about?gl=GB&hl=en-GB Manager was happy to let me go with my broken bike in tears, what kind of bussiness is that?! read more

This shop doesn't deserves four stars. The people who have reviewed it as such are not reliable at all. Have a quick look at their profiles and you will find that some of them have written nearly 500 reviews of local shops, one lady at the top hitting 1000. Most rate everything with four or five stars. What does a five star rating mean from a lady who rates most things five stars and has written 1000 reviews? How can she have valid or interesting things to say about all of those shops? She couldn't have been in them more than once. When I moved to the area a couple of years ago I was pretty skint, and my bike's wheel broke. I needed a new one and some work doing on the bike but couldn't afford to pay very much. I remember going into Fred Baker Cycles first because they were the nearest and being dismayed at how expensive it was. The guys in FBC had very little time for me and my budget. Generally Id say that whatever price tag you see on something in Fred Baker's Cycles, you will be able to get it a least 15% cheaper elsewhere. I shopped around and eventually found a bike shop at the top of Colston street by the BRI called Bikeworkshop (www.bikeworkshop.co.uk), which I would recommend. The guys in there seem like people Id go to the pub with. Friendly and genuine. They always have their hands greasy fixing the bikes and the prices are fair. I don't live far from FBC now, last winter I needed some new lights and my bike's chain was being a bit noisy. Them being my nearest shop again, I thought I'd risk it and go in, buy the lights and get some advice on what to do to make the chain quieter. I explained my problem and one of the guys invited the other over and they both began taking the piss out of me. Making out like I was stupid because I didn't have their superior bike knowledge. They then tried to pressure me into a full service costing £150. The bike was pretty much brand new, there was nothing wrong with it and it only cost £300 when I bought it. So I didn't think much of their advice. I went in for their help and advice and they couldn't give it to me without making me feel small. They were so rude I left without buying anything. As I said I've never really shopped at FBC because I don't believe them to be good value for money but on top of this the staff are actually quite unpleasant people. There seems to be a macho culture at FBC, where they rip on each other and on the customer. I am glad I don't have to work there. Finally Id like to say that I am not alone in my experiences two of my house mates and a friend of mine, so four of us in all, have had very similar experiences. This shop is probably great if you are a cyclist with Olympic aspirations, they have loads of very expensive top-of-the-range bikes, this is probably because they are more profitable, rather than a passion for the sport. I say this because none of the guys look like cyclists. They cant be, they are like a tag team smoking cigarettes by the bus stop outside the shop. Not great ambassadors for the shop or the sport. The only people I see coming out of there are middle aged office guys who are buying a bike to cycle to work on for the first time. They probably make some great bucks out of them. Selling them a whole load of extra crap they don't need. For everyone else who just uses a bike to go from A to B. Don't go there. read more

Beware all who enter. My experience of this shop is a completely negative one. Their inability to deal with customer satisfaction issues compounded a small complaint into one that now means I feel obliged to warn others of the shoddy treatment that I received by various members of staff. All should know that if you do not pay for a valet (as of today £40) at the time of booking a silver service (as of today £60) that they will not lubricate any moving parts as part of the service. In my case they also will not warn you that this is the case until afterwards and then not offer any reduction in the price of the service either. A thoroughly demoralizing experience and one that means I would recommend that you go elsewhere for all cycle related issues. read more

Went here recently with limited knowledge to purchase a bike, and so glad i went. Tom (I think the manager) spent a good few hours with me and explained all the differences and technology between different styles of bike (they have improved and changed so much in the 10 years I haven't ridden for!!). Really pleased with my purchase (Merida Hard Tail) after having it for a week, I'm so glad I listened to recommendation and advice from Tom. Really great service and personal touch!! Thanks guys read more

Just had some great service from the new owners of Fred Baker Cycles (it changed hands just a few weeks ago). There was a delay in repairs to my Powabyke, so in recompense they offered me a loan bike and drove all the way up to Gloucestershire to deliver my bike. Plus they didn't charge me anything above what they themselves had been charged by Powabyke for the repair. They really went out of their way to help. Would definitely recommend them. read more

these guys have given up, they dont want your custom, they just dont give a toss anymore

I've never seen so many bikes crammed into such a small space (not that it's at all small, but the amount of stuff in it makes it feel that way). There are three floors in total and they've certainly made good use of the space,, with a huge range of mountain bikes, racers and standard commuter affairs (ie, those foldable numbers that you people taking onto trains and busus). What's more, there's a great range of accessories, including everything from lights and reflective gear to puncture repair kits and speedometers. The best thing about the shop, though, are the staff, who are all extremely knowledgeable and helpful - always the sort of thing that will keep me coming back, even if it means spending a couple of pounds more than I would do at some massive (and soulless) chainstore. Apparently, they've been operating since 1935, and you don't keep a business running for such a long time without doing something right! Keep things local and shop here for all your biking needs. read more

My dad bought his first road bike from fred baker 35 years ago . As they are now my local bike shop I'm pleased to say they are still experts in all things bike . I've just picked up my third bike that the shop has serviced for me and I'm really happy with the results . Good solid advice , excellent value and some very good bike chat! My cheap run around bike was treated with as much care as my pride and joy road bike and I've picked up some great tips. Always made me feel very welcome and I would highly recommend to anyone who wants sensible , unbiased advice on anything bike related . read more

good local shop, sometimes very busy but allways very helpfull staff. Had my bike fixed there after another shop failed to fix it, turned out t he other shop had fitted a wrong part these guys re did it correctly whilst i waited ! Top mechanics read more

Online Service is lousy. A 10 quid set of bar tape still hasn't arrived 10 days after placing the order. Dismissive staff in the shop about how and why is wasn't sent. Sounded like calling the other shop was something he could fit in 'since the shop was quiet' Promises in the terms and condition about contacting you re stock levels never occurred. Emails have gone unanswered. Won't be using them again. Nor visiting the store. How do some people think they can run a business. No wonder some are going to the wall. This is an example of what happens before. read more

Avoid. Appalling bike shop. Rude, condescending and downright dishonest staff. Took a bike in to swap some pedals over. The new pedals were hugely overtightened, causing some damage to the cranks. Had to ask for the old pedals back, which were presumptively left in the workshop. Was told that tyres were at 2 psi (complete rubbish) and so they had 'pumped them up' and was charged for this! Also charged for some other adjustments I didn't ask for. Daylight robbery. read more