A trustable local bike shop
They are clearly not a road bike or tri-bike focus bike shop since they sell Bromptons. BUT, the mechanic did an amazing job with handling my Cannondale Tri bike. The task a ask them is to swap the whole cockpit system and re-route all the cables.
Before contacting them, I tried Giant Camden, which they should be specialized in handling road bikes and tri bikes. As well as an official Giant store, I thought they would be very good in handling similar bikes, but I was wrong, the experience there was horrible and very slow in comparison to Lunar Bikes.
About experience at Giant Camden: I told them my bike situation and they say I will have to book into the workshop (which is normal), however the wait is very long and I wonder if they actually had a full time mechanic or if they really have a huge pool of waiting customers. After the long wait, I send my bike in and by the time I just wish to get my bike sorted asap. Roughly a day after handing in my bike I receive a message from the mechanic stating that it is a complete re-build and the cost is very damn high. Now I am no mechanics at all but I am very into my bike so the time and his message is just skeptical with the process. Also, there are youtube videos teaching you how it is done and the video is one third of the time he quote. Normally, for people who don't know any bike maintenance, they would just save the hustle, especially after such long wait just to get the bike in, would say yes. But one thing I don't tolerate is bike shops trying to rip customers off. I looked at their online reviews and saw all these similar experience with the mechanic there. Thus a search for a new bike shop nearby and found lunar bikes.
Finally back to Lunar Bikes: I emailed Lunar Bikes stating the same situation and they replied me a few hours later saying roughly the estimate cost and say this is a very specific task as the cable route is frame dependent, which is very obvious. So they booked me in the following Monday after the message on Wednesday (not a fast one, but very reasonable considering holidays). Few hours after sending the bike in on early Monday, I got a proper call (not message) from the mechanic telling me the situation and the cost. I ask them to proceed and got everything done and back on the same day. Talking about the experience there I would say the reception and the blokes there isn't particularly nice, but they are honest people, which I appreciate it (especially when I am going to leave my pride and joy with em) and also they are craftsmen, not a hotel usher. So the communication is acceptable as long as they are clear. Everything is very transparent and clear even when collecting the bike, while checking my bike during collection, the mechanic came out and talk to me personally with some situations and follow-ups on the bike which I also appreciate, instead of just giving you the bike and paying (what if there is another problem, or something the customer doesn't understand or miscommunicated before hand?) like most bike shop does.
One really neat and extra touch I appreciate Lunar Bikes mechanics over Giant Camden is the handle bar taps, in normal situation when cables are reroute and the tapes are coming off, a new one should go on, however, the tape on my old bar is actually new and is possible to reuse them if piled off carefully, I kindly asked Giant to reuse it if possible and they say this will be destroyed when taking off. So I will have to get a new (and ofcos they would supply a new one and charge it, why wouldn't them given the price at their store). The mechanic at Lunar bike said the same as it will get damage when removing (and ofcos I know it might get damage since I've reuse many bar tapes before), but they reused it anyways, and honestly they did a really great job on that and it still looks like new. Which I am super happy with not needing to spend extra for tapes.
Overall I would say they are a trustable bike shop and would go back for my bike maintenance. Would recommend roadies and triathletes as well. Not sure about MTB as I have no experience at all.
16 November 2022
Unprompted review