Veloheads
18th September 2015
Veloheads is a small, friendly cycle company, based in a characterful building in Starbeck, Harrogate (the old Starbeck laundry). They service and repair all kinds of bike. They also have tandems for hire, electric bikes for hire and sale, and they run bike mechanics and road safety courses for schools, and bike maintenance courses for adults. They have recently been successful in a bid to become one of the Yorkshire Bike Libraries, as part of the Tour de France legacy.
Veloheads: bike service and repair
The foundation of the Veloheads business is their service and repair centre. They are very capable of dealing with any bike, including high end mountain and road bikes, with their experienced bike mechanics (one who is full-time, on part-time).
There has been a lot of demand for bike repair and maintenance. Although Veloheads opened relatively recently (November 2014), they have already worked on nearly 600 bikes.
Top tip: there's the greatest demand for bike servicing from April and through the summer, so if you can, plan ahead and take your bike in in the winter.
Veloheads: electric bikes
Veloheads have electric bikes for hire and sale. Business owner Carl Nelson says that often people looking to buy electric bikes do some initial research on the internet, but they like to test ride and buy from a physical shop. Veloheads' proximity to the Nidderdale Greenway means they are in the ideal location for less confident cyclists to test bikes.
Electric bikes are popular for commuting, and with people who have health issues, or who are easing back into cycling.
The bike pcitured above is a Peugeot, which will do 120km on one charge, and is reliable enough to be used by the French postal service. Veloheads also stock Roodog, and (coming soon) Raleigh electric.
Veloheads: bike hire
As well as electric bikes, Veloheads have a modest selection of normal bikes for hire, plus two tandems (which are in great demand).
Veloheads & local schools
Veloheads work with local schools, providing courses for up to five children at a time. In a one-day session, they will usually do half a day of bike mechanics, and half a day of road safety (out on bikes).
Veloheads: home mechanic courses
Home mechanic and advanced home mechanic courses are scheduled by Veloheads, as HedgehogCycling reported recently.
Having recently expanded into another part of the premises, there's plenty of space for the maximum six people per course. Every participant has their own work bench (pictured above) and tools.
Veloheads: Bike Library
Veloheads recently made a successful bid to become a 'Bike Library', as part of Yorkshire's Tour de France legacy. This means that they'll have (initially) ten adults' and children's bikes, including tag-alongs and trailers, which will be available to local people who wish to try out cycling, before committing to a bike purchase.
There'll be led rides for families some Sunday mornings, using the Bike Library bikes.
Veloheads approach
Veloheads aim to get as many people on bikes as possible, to keep them cycling, and keep them safe. They are friendly, and have time to talk (over a cup of tea or coffee).