Our Dealer network covers the length and breadth of the UK. It's been carefully selected to include independent bike shop, to help sell our HB's (as well as our components.) So, we started a series called 'Meet the HB Dealer' where we find out more about them.
1) Tell us about your shop?
We’re Bikegoo, a specialist mountain bike shop in Crowborough, East Sussex. Where does the name Bikegoo come from? You know all that black gunk that builds up around your jockey wheels and gets all over your hands the moment you touch it? Well, I’ve always called that stuff bikegoo (e.g. “I can't shift this bloomin’ bikegoo”, “how is there so much bikegoo all over this thing?” and so on), and in a world of boring bike shop names, it seemed like a more interesting choice!
2) Who's on the team?
Dave is the owner and chief mechanic. A Sheffield lad in the South who constantly moans about how he doesn't have enough time to ride his bike these days, but will bend over backwards to help you out… especially if you bribe him with biscuits. Will is the most experienced of the bunch. He’s been in the bike trade for longer than many of us have been alive and will happily chat about bikes until the cows come home. Loves a capable 29er. Tom is our apprentice mechanic. He’s a bright lad and very enthusiastic. He is also a qualified barista and experienced chef, so he's certainly a useful person to have around!
3) How long have you been in business, and what got you in the trade?
Dave started riding mountain bikes 25 years ago and always wanted a little bike shop of his own. Fast forward a couple of decades and Dave finally got the opportunity to follow his dream. At the end of 2007, Bikegoo was born. Originally the business was based in an old milking shed and consisted of a little repair workshop and a very basic online shop selling bike cleaner, chain lube and a few tools. It was rough and ready, but it had solid foundations and the business gradually grew over the years to what we have today.
4) Where, locally, would you recommend riding?
We have some fantastic local trails that offer a real mix of riding right on our doorstep. If you like swoopy, jumpy trails we have the Bull Track just up the road as well as some fantastic singletrack riding in the local woods. Or, if you prefer, we’ve got Bedgebury half an hour away and a little bit further we’ve got Friston Forest, the South Downs and the Surrey Hills.
5) When did you first start selling our parts?
We started selling Hope about 8 years ago. At that time, we only really stocked a couple of brakes and a hub or two. We now have over a thousand Hope parts in stock and we sell loads of them every week… and we’re quite proud of that.
6) What's your favourite Hope component?
It’s got to be Hope Pro 4 hubs. They are so reliable, beautifully made and we could strip one down blindfolded... I think.
7) What made you want to become a HB dealer?
The HB bikes are something very special indeed. We’ve always been massive Hope fans and when they made the move into bike frame production, we just had to be a part of it. We don’t expect to sell hundreds of these bikes, it’s really not about that. We want our customers to really get an appreciation of the bikes through taking one for a demo ride and talking through their specific requirements, component choices, even colour options as much as they want to with us. Only then, when they are completely happy, would we expect a customer to order one. By doing this, we can make sure what the customer has ordered is right for them, and it’s so brilliantly satisfying for us too. It really is the best part of our job.
8) Why should people by a HB?
That should be “why shouldn’t customers buy one?”… it would be a quicker answer. The HB bikes aren’t just an off‐the‐shelf bike… no, they are very different and much more special and unique. First, the frames are fully manufactured by Hope, to exceptionally high standards. That’s in Lancashire, not some factory in the far east. Because Hope are fully in control of the whole production process you able to tweak and customise the bikes in all sorts of ways. So much so, that it’s unlikely you’ll ever find two that are exactly the same. The quality of the frames, backed up with Hope’s Lifetime frame and bearing warranty means Hope and Bikegoo have got your back if anything goes wrong. But above all, and the main reason anyone should buy an HB… the bikes are freaking amazing to ride!
9) What sets you apart from the competition?
We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service we can. We aim to do this for everyone whether they are buying a £5 inner tube or a £6000 bike. We’ve got an enviable reputation among the local cycling community and we’re really proud of that. We’re not a massive shop, but we’re enthusiastic, focussed and we’ve got a lot of experience riding, fixing and tinkering with mountain bikes, so we think we’re the best place to come to buy your next bike or fix and upgrade your existing one.
10) How should people get in contact with you?
You can call us at the shop on 01892 668800 send over an email support@bikegoo.co.uk or you can contact us through our Instagram and Facebook pages. We’d love to hear from you!