UPDATE: Ed’s Bicycle Repair Shop is no longer open in Upper Craigs and we will update the information if it reopens elsewhere in Stirling.
Bike repair shop Ed’s Cycles has opened its doors in Stirling’s Upper Craigs.
The shop, run by Eddie Connor, sells second-hand bikes as well as offering repairs to all types of bicycles. Ed’s Cycles is also a centre for the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme which means grants of £50 towards bike repairs and servicing are available. Eddie first opened his bike repairs programme during the initial lockdown when his other business, Robertson Music Scotland, was unable to trade as usual.
The music business, run from Eddie’s home in Alva, offers digital piano and keyboard repairs with clients including schools, colleges and churches. During the pandemic restrictions, Eddie was unable to visit these premises to carry out repairs so turned his hand to repairing bikes at his workshop instead.
This proved popular given the increase in cycling during lockdown and the lack of availability of new bikes. Eddie says: “During lockdown our music business was quiet as we couldn’t go into schools or churches so I started repairing bikes instead from our workshop in Alva. It’s something I’ve always had experience of as my first job was building bikes for Halfords years ago when they were based in Murray Place, Stirling and then I joined the Army where I was a Mechanical Engineer.”
Eddie joined the staff band and played with orchestras during his time in the Army and later opened several retail music shops across the UK before returning home to the Stirling area.
Now, just like his instrument repair service, Eddie’s bike repair business is proving an enormous success. He says: “I started the bike repairs from home but the business grew too big as there was so much demand. During lockdown I was repairing bikes as well as buying and selling them and there were so many people looking for bikes. I was able to work from my workshop in Alva but knew I needed to be in the centre of Stirling to really grow the business and cater for the demand. So, I had a look at a few options before finding the shop on Upper Craigs which was exactly what we needed.”
Eddie and his wife Rebecca opened the shop at 26 Upper Craigs – previously Grant Property – on September 1 this year and business has been brisk ever since. They offer all types of bike repairs – brakes, gears, punctures and so on – for a range of bicycles including e-bikes, sell second-hand bikes for adults and children and also sell parts and accessories such as helmets, locks and mudguards.
The shop is part of the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme which provides a helping hand to pay for essential bike repairs up to the value of £50. Eddie also offers a bike collection and return service within a 10-mile radius. He says: “We have a number of second-hand bikes for sale from as little as £50 for an adult bike and they are all in good working order and ready for the road. We are finding that stock does move quickly though. We also offer the Cycle Scotland Repair Scheme voucher so give us a call or pop in if you want to chat to us about that.
Ed’s Cycles caters for everyone and we have a workshop on site at the back of the shop as well as the main workshop in Alva.We will undertake any job and we offer collection and delivery which is especially useful if you have an e-bike as they are heavy and so it’s probably easier for me to transport them in the van.”
Eddie’s services are proving popular with a number of first-class reviews posted on the website – www.edscycles.co.uk The testimonials include: “Twice I’ve used Ed now with no problems. I found him because I couldn’t get a spare chain. He had a spare and replaced that so I used him to give my son’s bike a brake overhaul. Reasonable prices and two mins from my door. Ed now has a repeat customer with my son and I.”
Other customer says: “I contacted Ed’s Cycles as I needed a couple parts updated and replaced on my road bike (brake pad, rear tyre, headset bearings). Ed fixed these really quickly so I was able to get back out cycling. I will be using his repair shop again when my bike needs a full service. Thanks Ed!”
Ed’s Cycles is open from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm (closed Sundays). You can also pop into the shop at 26, Upper Craigs, call 01786 561193 or 07768 502815 and check out the website for more information.
More details can also be found on the Ed’s Cycles Facebook page –
www.facebook.com/Edsbike
