RIDE INTO SPRING IN STYLE WITH FUNKY BIKE

Where: 11 Princes Avenue, Hull

It sells: Vintage, retro, classic and custom bikes and accessories

Open: Monday, by appointment, Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm, Friday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 3pm

Call: 01482 342894

Pay for one day’s entry and get 12 months FOR FREE with our Day...

The Deep

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The Day Plus Pass allows you, and those with you on the day of your visit, to return to The Deep free of charge for a 12 months period. This membership cannot be used on certain bank holidays.

Terms: On your next visit after purchase, you will be required to bring the completed DPP form, including photographs attached and photo ID (e.g. a passport or driving licence) in order to activate the pass.

Contact: 01482 381000

Valid until: Tuesday, December 31 2013

S nowdrops are out, the sun keeps trying to make an appearance and nights are definitely getting lighter. There is no doubt about it – spring is (almost) here.

And as we all start coming out of our self-imposed wintry hibernation, there will be many people, no doubt, who will be digging out walking boots, dusting off running shoes and wiping down cycles ready for getting out and about in the balmy East Yorkshire sunshine.

With a vague notion of some two- wheeled action this summer, ShopSpy decided to pop to the coolest bike shop in the city to see if there was anything to tempt us.

Window shopping

East Coast Bicycles stands out from the crowd with a bright turquoise paint job and a funky retro style. The actual building is one of a little parade of Victorian shops in Princes Avenue and the frontage is perfect for the vintage-style bikes and accessories.

Pretty panniers, baskets and colourful bikes for all ages fill the many windows and it is hard not to get excited about having a look inside.

First impressions

The whole bike world is not something I have much experience of but East Coast Bikes (ECB) definitely makes the whole thing look very cool.

Obviously, not everyone has bought into the ever-growing vintage-style biking trend but ECB is clearly aimed at the part of the market that has: some bikes are actually vintage, while others are retro- inspired but all are pretty and big on design.

Some of the biggest names in the bike world are within these walls, from Dutchie to Creme and Bobbin to Python.

A customisation service also means you can have bicycles built to your own specification.

The accessories are similarly top of the range, retro-inspired delights, including beautiful handmade panniers and bags from Selle Monte Grappa to stylish Yakkay helmets, which are often featured in the glossy magazines as the only way to protect your head in style.

The people in charge clearly love what they do and it seems everything is hand-picked for its style and design ethos.

As someone just dipping in a toe, it seems a little overwhelming but I have to admit there is something so beautiful about these sturdy, solid bikes. I can understand why passions start to run so high – there is definitely a certain romanticism to the whole place, which seems to hark back to a different era.

Did I buy?

I would love to buy a bike – I think it was the Bobbin Birdie that eventually won my heart – but as I am just on my research journey and these things are a bit of an investment, I have not yet taken the plunge.

Staff and service

East Coast Bicycles is clearly more than just a bike shop: the people running it must be passionate about their stock. Staff were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and happy to share their expertise without pushing for a sale.

Verdict

The whole cycling world just seems to get bigger and stronger with every passing year and although there are very definitely some die-hard fans and competitive types out there for whom the lightweight, multi-gear cycles will be just the thing, there are also many people, like me, who are interested in a bike that just looks pretty as you pootle along in the sunshine.

East Coast Bikes has a clear aesthetic and an array of lovely accessories and bikes to prove it. Never has it been more important to support local businesses and shops like this makes it easy to do so.