DAVID HOWARD

Owner

I decided to set up a Cycle service repair business in 2008 after running a business in a completely different field for 8 years. Big on Bikes is the fruition of a dream that I had since I started fixing bikes with my Dad from the age of 10 years old. My dad found “skip” bikes and brought them home, taught me how to rejuvenate them and we then sold them through the local paper. Cycling was my main form of transportation for over 15 years, I cycled everywhere, even visiting friends in Andover from Cambridge one Bank Holiday weekend (250-mile round trip) with a radio strapped to the handlebars and map tucked in my back pocket. I now am more of an off-road rider, enjoying the Peak district MTB trails and countryside. I do also own a road bike, but this is mainly used for Bikeability training & Charity rides.
I am a Cytech Level 3 Master mechanic, a Fox Accredited Suspension Service Technician, a DT Swiss Wheelbuilder and an E-bike service specialist (Bosch & Shimano StePs).
I am also a Bikeability Instructor & British Cycling Ride Leader

SIMON ALLEN

Senior Mechanic

Having got back into road cycling after a hiatus of a few years and after a local bike shop didn’t do a great job of repairing my bike I set out to learn myself, volunteering at a bike recycling charity and funding myself to Cytech Level 2 (the cycle maintenance A level). After a year’s volunteering I wanted to learn more advanced methods and procedures and become a full time mechanic.
I have been at Big On Bikes since 2015. I am the road specialist, a wheelbuilder, designated Campagnolo man, font of all knowledge bottom bracket wise, and the OCD organiser of the workshop.
I don’t get much time to ride but I have also become interested in mountain biking so have a dabble at that on a 10 year old Kona as well as some casual road on my Giant Defy.
I am a Cytech Level 3 Master mechanic & a Campagnolo technician

THOMAS KINSEY

Mechanic

Tom has joined us having been in bike shops for the last 3 years, he was previously Workshop manager and mechanic at a high street e-bikes retailer.
He has also had the opportunity to work alongside a Race mechanic for Vitus and prepared their new race bikes. Tom has a wealth of industry knowledge, especially around electronic shifting and e-bikes but has a good grounding in all types of bike servicing and repairs.
We have enrolled Tom in the Apprenticeship scheme so that we can hone his skills by getting him through his Cytech 2 and Cytech 3 qualifications over the next few months.
Tom is a keen MTBer and is regularly up in the peaks and is looking to race Enduro next year.