Stu Harwood-Hope

Stu is our mechanic-in-chief. Best known for daring repairs, rapping, drinking decaf-tea and teaching mechanics to refugees.

Aged 15, Stu started tinkering with bikes down in Suffolk’s sunny Center Parcs, practising his fine bike-polishing techniques on kids’ Burley trailers in their cycle hire outlet. He soon completed his Cytech Level 2 qualification and progressed to the role of Mr Manager, ending up with a fleet of 2000 hire bikes under his charge.

After moving to London, Stu worked as a freelance mobile repair mechanic and did a stint at Evans Cycles in Canary Wharf.

Since then, there’s been no turning back. He’s done the rounds at a whole host of bike cafes, high-end independent bike shops and community Dr Bike events.

As a result, he’s come face-to-face with an impressive range of bikes – from £9,000 professional race bikes to classic vintage Italian road bikes. If they’ve made it, Stu’s fixed it!

Stu now spends half the week running his own private repairs business (Hackney Bike Repairs) and the other half at The Bike Project.

We asked Stu what he likes about fixing bikes: 'The pleasure in my work comes from the reaction you get when you get a person's tired but much loved old bike fully serviced and working like new.'