Howes Cycles

Howes Cycles was the oldest bike shop in England, having been established in 1840 by John Howes on Regent Street in Cambridge. Over its 173 year existence, the brand was well known for high-quality workmanship, knowledgeable advice and seen as the "go-to" for the serious cyclist. Starting life as wheel builders for horse drawn-coaches, they quickly moved into the new 'exciting' world of bicycles in the mid-19th century - and even built their own "Granta" bicycle. Noteable clientele included Charles Darwin, famed for his ‘Theory of Evolution’ and Richard Barrett (Syd) from the famous band, Pink Floyd. The shop ceased trading on 31st December 2013, when Michael Howes - the 6th generation grandchild of the founder, decided to retire. Michael's decision to close rather than sell was driven around loyalty and tradition, not want the family business to run outside of the family. The Howes family would like to thank their valued customers for their support and loyalty over the years and hope their cycling needs can be met adequately elsewhere.