Vernon Barker Cycles

Shocking experience of being charged approximately double the initial estimate and still left with a non-functional bike. This from someone who apparently has been repairing bikes for 40 years. The most concerning part of the experience; the brake “repair.” Dave was asked to attach hoses to a new pair of shifters and bleed the brakes. On getting the bike home though, the front brake wasn’t working. Having taken the bike to another shop, the reason for this was confirmed as a lack of brake fluid in the system. Dave was made aware of this. His response; “I am clear that it was correctly filled with fluid and bled.” Well, I’ll let you take a look at the videos on Google Maps showing how the brake was returned (Dave was also sent one of these) and be the judge of that. Perhaps you agree with Dave, perhaps you think it’s a fundamental safety failing. That aside, as with previous reviews, I felt other aspects of the workmanship were poor, and costly given the number of unresolved issues. Other problems included: - Not being able to covert my wheel from a 142mm to 135mm axel. All necessary parts were provided but the work ended up having to be completed by another workshop. - Incorrectly attaching an E-tube junction box and taping the handlebars (although Dave did admit to this and refunded me the cost). - Being charged for gear adjustment despite having no functional gears and, on getting the bike home, finding out the wires for my gears weren’t even plugged in. - Carrying out work beyond what was agreed without contacting me to find out whether I was happy to incur the additional costs. Edit; without wanting to fully reply to the company’s response, a couple of points do need addressing. The ‘incorrect parts’ were a pair of lever flange connecting bolts and replacement olives. Not particularly expensive. It is an outright lie to say I did not provide the front wheel, I did. They were asked to finish a bike build I’d lost patience with. The brakes simply weren’t bled properly.

I have a pair of early 1990s forks that needed their short, threaded steerer tube extending and converting to threadless. They were kinda rare so didn't want any old clown with a welder to have a go. After a bit of research, Vernon Barker Cycles were at the top of my list. An email and a few photos gave the job the thumbs up. Sent it off, got confirmation it was done, paid (very reasonable rate) and sent back, all in a week. Great quality job and Dave even threw in a star nut. Would I recommend Vernon Barker Cycles for bike repairs and builds? Heck yes.

Great service and a quick turnaround I'd say for a fair price for the work completed (removal of cable guide and old bb brazed brake mount widening of dropouts)

Had my rear derailleur straightened here. Very quickly sorted despite seeming pretty busy. Many thanks Richard

Vernon Barker are brilliant! Excellent servicing of our bikes, so friendly and helpful.