Flying Dutchman Bikes

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Reviews

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  George de Stacpoole

  I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about purchasing an electric bike or cargo bike to go to Flying Dutchman. I bought both of my electric bikes from this shop and on each occasion Harry and the team have been knowledgeable, friendly and have actively sought to understand my needs and lifestyle to make suggestions and recommendations which I would not have thought about. I don’t go anywhere else for electric bikes and will continue to use them for all purchases, services and general advice. I really don’t think I would get the level of service and access to industry knowledge which these guys offer. They’ve clearly very well connected and active in the electric bike scene. They have an extensive selection and are very keen to make sure that you get the best electric bike for you. Very recently I purchased an Urban Arrow as I have a young child and Harry was talking about his Urban Arrow and from his own experiences how I can get maximum utility out of it. In this situation it was about the Maxi-Cosi adapter which has revolutionised how I access London with my very young family. They have also been magnificent in terms of after-care. Being new to the scene I have asked questions etc and each time Harry and his team have spent time with me and responded to emails almost immediately. It really is an absolutely fantastic bike shop. Probably should also mention that they are on the Cycle to Work scheme and they did all the legwork in getting the application processed for both bikes.

  26-04-2023
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  nidge

  Harry and his team are devoted cyclists with a wealth of knowledge which they are always more than happy to share. I have bought several bikes from Flying Dutchman and wouldn’t go anywhere else now due to the customer care both before and, most particularly, after purchasing. My enjoyment and knowledge of cycling have both increased since stumbling across this gem of an independent shop Highly recommended, the best bike shop in London

  26-03-2023
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  Jules Seabrooke

  I cannot recommend Flying Dutchman Bikes enough, I would go so far as to say that our experience with them has been life changing. We live outside of London in countryside, outside of a town and have a young child. We have various commuting requirements across varied terrain and longer distances to cover. I had seen cargo and electric bikes and loved the idea of them but I thought our situation was probably a bit tricky for them - and I didn't know where to start. Over time we did a tonne of research on electric cars, electric motorbikes, electric scooters and electric bikes, weighing up financially and environmentally what was going to work better and whilst it was all helpful, if I had known how helpful Flying Dutchman bikes are, how good electric cargo bikes are and the multitude of benefits of them in our lives individually and collectively, we'd have saved ourselves a lot of time and faff. When I called Flying Dutchman to be specific about the bike I was looking at, I quickly realised I should've just called them from the off as they would've been able to tell me pretty quickly what I needed as they're committed to finding what works for people (one of the reasons why manufacturers work with them and they have such a good selection of bikes). Flying Dutchman bikes understand the market of options out there and the physical and societal landscape in the UK - aswell as having personal interest and experience of what already exists in other communities and countries. From chatting to the owner Harry, he has set out to select the best offering and to provide the best service and solution to getting around from his own experience of living in Amsterdam. Its personal to him and a way of living that is realistic, greener, achievable on a mass scale and quite frankly the most enjoyable. They're creating a community and they have the passion, knowledge, and provide the best service I have ever received. I would say that bike shops are generally very helpful and it's usually a joy to interact with them - it's hard to say one is better than another - but from my experience Flying Dutchman bikes will personally help you to get the right product for your needs, with the accessories that you specifically need, and keep you moving and happy on it for as long as you need. It's above and beyond because for them it's personal and they're as much a part of creating a community as they are trying to support it. As my requirements for the bike evolve, I know I can go to Flying Dutchman for how best to add to or adapt my bike and I know they will have ideas and solutions, whether or not they sell them. And because of this, even on a cold and wet day in January, I love riding my e-cargo bike over driving a car. Thanks Flying Dutchman Bikes. p.s. their dogs are also lovely

  26-01-2023
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  Rich Armstrong

  26-01-2023
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  Alison Bray

  This is a long one...The manager was very helpful when I made enquiries about electric bikes. He provided lots of information and suggested a suitable bike. I was grateful for the free alarm they gave me and appreciated the advice on accessories I bought. However, when a fault occurred a few months later my experience was quite different. I brought it in several times because the assist function became erratic. They couldn't find the fault the first couple of times (and I have to say that not opening at weekends made it extremely difficult to find the time to keep coming in) and then they decided the fault was down to an attempted theft of the battery which I disputed. This theory became a real issue and I involved the manufacturer, Gazelle, at this point. This is when the tone of communication changed. My emails weren't answered unless I chased them up and I was told that if I couldn't pick my bike up the same day that I would be charged £20/ day "storage". (The business who finally did mend it told me they charge £5 but only after it's been left for months). Weirdly I was told it would be waived as I was "polite". It became clear that management and the mechanics didn't always communicate on matters because on this occasion the mechanic had told me picking the bike up after a couple of days was fine. Further, on the final visit for the same fault, my partner dropped it off and told the manager he thought there was an issue with the cable. When he picked it up later (and it still wasn't functioning properly so he returned it), the mechanic replied, "oh, right, I'll need to replace the cable" or words to that effect. The problem first occurred in May and it was last taken in in November. When I rang to discuss the cable and I also mentioned how frustrating this all was (I did not raise my voice or swear), the manager's response was to actually hang up! He immediately sent a long, bizarre email telling me that he couldn't handle my "anger" and I shouldn't be angry with him. I have had the patience of a saint. This was an appalling way to respond to me. I took it to Balfe's in Hackney who not only fixed the issue with the cable but also did a full diagnostic to make sure nothing else was up. I would recommend Balfe's but not Flying Dutchman.

  26-01-2023
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  Jastin Kaaya

  Quality product. Good customer service.

  26-12-2022
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  Jacob Wiebel

  I rarely leave reviews, but it is also rare to find such quality of customer service. This place is, without doubt, the best bikeshop (traditional or e-bike focused) I have interacted with in three decades as an avid cyclist. This summer I bought a R&M Multicharger from them, and both the bike and the advice and support from the manager Harry and from Rich and the other mechanics has been amazing. Their expertise and bike range is excellent, and their assistance and service over the following months (the manufacturer did not have some parts in stock at the time of purchase) has been professional and friendly in equal measure. Having had a bad experience with a larger and more well-known competitor before, this was a breath of fresh air. I strongly recommend Flying Dutchman to anyone living in Central or North London.

  26-12-2022
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  Matia Grossi

  Bought a few bikes from them. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

  26-11-2022
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  Tom Goren-Bar

  Thanks Harry and the crew at Flying Dutchman Bikes for a wonderful purchase experience! We purchased a family cargo bike via a Cycle to Work scheme and Harry patiently responded to all the questions we had about the various models out there, offered advice about parts and setups, and prepared a bike for pick up within 24 hours. Best in class service!

  26-11-2022
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  Gavin Jacobson

  The best bike shop in London, and the perfect place for those looking to start cycling as a primary mode of transport. Impeccable customer service both during and after purchase.

  26-09-2022