FAQ

We don’t take bookings for workshop time instead we ask you to bring your bike in to the shop. Within 48 hours of receiving it we will fully assess what work is needed and any parts required. Once we have received your approval for the work quoted we will order parts and once everything to work on your bike has arrived your bike joins the queue for the workshop. We have a completely transparent workshop queue system and will keep you updated at every step of the process from the moment we receive your bike.

If you are not local to Mapdec we can still service or build your bike but we need to have all the parts necessary before it joins the workshop queue. Please call us for more details. t

We see all kinds of bikes here at Mapdec from commuter machines to high-end race bikes. We build and service road, time trial, gravel, mountain bikes and electric bikes. We have a high spec workshop suspension servicing room with the tools to work on any brand. Every bike and every rider is welcome at Mapdec. 

We can service any e-bike with a branded motor and battery; for example, Shimano, Bosch, Yamaha, Bafang, Specialized. However, we are not able to store or work on unbranded e-bike motors due to our insurance restrictions relating to fire risk. When you bring your e-bike in please bring the keys and battery. 

Fair question! Mapdec founder Paul Vousden has over twenty years as a bike mechanic. Collectively our work shop team has over 75 years of bike servicing experience – there aren’t a lot of things we haven’t seen. 

Paul holds the Cytech Level 3 mechanics qualification designed for advanced cycle mechanics with strong technical knowledge and experience working on high-end bicycles and equipment. However, we don’t believe that having the right bit of paper is enough to make you an all-round bike mechanic, we value hands on experience. What develops a mechanic’s skill is seeing the wide range of bikes that come into the workshop and learning extensive diagnostic and problem-solving techniques that can be applied to any bike. 

Mapdec mechanics qualified through City and Guilds and the National Apprenticeship scheme.  Supporting our mechanics in their careers is a very important of what we do at Mapdec and we take great pride in training a new generation of highly skilled bike mechanics.

If you want to know more about our mechanics’ skills check out our YouTube channel where we share the inside knowledge from our workshop.

Paul is a fully qualified bike fitter and this service is provided as part of a custom build. At the end of every custom build we do a confirmation fit where we assess your position and finalise the length of the steerer tube and stem before making the final cuts. If you need a bike fit before ordering your frame please phone us to book your consultation. 

Yes, we do! We can build almost anything to your specification and for any bike including mountain bikes, e-bikes and road bikes. We can build a wheel from parts you supply or we can talk you through the options and help you choose the right components for your needs and riding style. 

Yes, we do! We can build almost anything to your specification and for any bike including mountain bikes, e-bikes and road bikes. We can build a wheel from parts you supply or we can talk you through the options and help you choose the right components for your needs and riding style. 

A custom build can vary considerably but we rarely build anything for less than £5000. However, we believe the bike you get for your investment far outweighs an off-the-peg model for value. With a custom build you get exactly what you want and everything is chosen to match your exact budget and riding style. 

We prefer not to do distance selling as our strength is custom building bikes. If you can’t visit us at Mapdec you will be better off buying from your own local bike shop who can provide advice, follow-up care and take accountability for the sale. However, even if you don’t live near Mapdec you can still experience a custom build with us as we can do our initial consultation by video call. You will only need to visit us for a bike fit if required and to collect your bike. We are on the edge of the beautiful Lake District National Park and we can’t think of a better place for your first ride on your dream bike. 

Are you buying the frame from us? If so we are happy to help! If you are not purchasing from us please book a 1-2-1 independent product consultation or ask the dealer or supplier of your chosen frame. 

We aren’t a traditional bike shop, we don’t stock cycling kit or accessories and we don’t have ready-to-buy bikes. We specialise in custom building bikes, wheels and bike servicing. We are suppliers of prestige European frames from LOOK and TIME. We are also able to source products including frames from a wide range of other brands. We are proud to be independent and the advice we offer is whole market – we won’t channel you in any specific direction.