Imperial Cycles Workshop

September 2013

In the first of an irregular series we look at cycle shops. With the boom in UK cycling there’s been a corresponding boom in cycling retail and service outlets, with both online and high street stores prospering. If you are anything like us, you’ll use both in equal measure.

Imperial Cycles of Isleworth in West London

Imperial Cycles is one of the newest cycle shops, opening its doors just recently in mid-August. Its located in Isleworth, West London, which is a bit of a cycling hotspot, being just a few miles from the London cycling mecca of Richmond Park and a quick ride from Hampton Court and the surrounding countryside. Set near South Street in the old part of Isleworth the shop is situated in a small square with a number of cycling friendly neighbours. As experienced cyclists the owners have made sure that cake, ice cream, pizza and most importantly proper coffee are all on offer to their customers!

The business was started by Richard Collins, son of ex-pro cyclist Doug Collins and co-organiser of its popular Winter Series at the purpose built, West London Hillingdon cycle racing circuit, and George Kirkin, who is a member of the thriving Twickenham Cycling Club and a cycle trade veteran, having spent the majority of his working life in cycling. The shop shares its name with the Imperial Racing Team, a cycling club which Richard founded.

Richard Collins (left) and George Kirkin were joined by former pro Dan Lloyd (centre) for the grand opening of the Imperial Cycles shop

Imperial Cycles Workshop offers a full service and repair facility, and that all important meeting place, where cyclists can enjoy a chat and find sensible advice. Although Imperial specialise in sporting bikes and products, they have to cater for the local market and so are happy to look after all types of bikes and riders. Imperial stress that as they are not tied to any particular brands they are able to offer truly impartial advice based on their knowledge and experience, only offering equipment and parts that they have tried, trust and would use long-term themselves.

Bike wise, the shop offer the superb Sarto range of carbon frames. As our previous article states, these are designed, fabricated and painted in the Veneto region of Italy, and can be purchased as a frame and fork or built up as a complete bike to customer requirements.

The team and friends behind Imperial Cycles…

Further frames manufactured from aluminium and steel will be added in the near future. They also have a number of more affordable nearly new bikes from a variety of manufacturers; the emphasis here is on quality and value for money with customers having the option to customise equipment to achieve their ideal machine.

Its all about the bike: Imperial Cycles Workshop

Richard and George are both competitive cyclists with a particular interest in road racing and cyclocross and love all things bike; as with many cycle shop owners, this is not just a business for them but is their passion! To encourage customers to spend in the early stages a promotional discount of 25% on servicing for all work booked and completed before 17th September is being offered.

Imperial Cycles Website

To feature your cycle shop or related business, email simon@handsling.com.