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. 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, Fazua, E-motion & Shimano e-bike).
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

Simon Allen, Cytech Master Mechanic, Campagnolo technician

THOMAS KINSEY

Mechanic

Tom joined us in 2021 having been in bike shops for several years, he was previously Workshop manager and mechanic at a high street e-bikes retailer.
He has also worked 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.
Tom is also a Cytech Level 3 Master mechanic & a Campagnolo technician as well as our e-bike specialist having trained on Shimano, Bosch, Fazua, Brose, Yamaha, e-Motion and soon TQ equipped bikes. Tom is also our MTB suspension technician alongside Dave.
Tom is a keen MTBer and road cyclist is regularly up in the peaks enjoying our fabulous countryside, roads and trails.