About Us

Harry Hall Cycles was formed in 1955 by Harry Hall, an enthusiastic cyclist and gifted cycle mechanic.
The Shop
History
Meet the Team
Timeline
We are situated in the heart of Manchester. In our 3,000 sq ft store you will find over 100 bikes on display and a good selection of clothing & accessories. Most importantly, you'll find the friendly faces of cycle enthusiasts who will talk to you as a cyclist not as salesmen! We only sell cycling products that we would be happy to use ourselves.

History.

Our cycling heritage where it all began!

Harry Halls Cycles: image 1 of 2
1956
We were established in 1956 by Harry Hall, himself an enthusiastic cyclist. Harry started to build up the business on Hyde Road Manchester, but did however have very limited capital. At times he would keep the boxes from something he had sold, so he could put the empty boxes back on the shelves to make the shop look more stocked!

In the early days Jean (his wife) looked after the shop in the daytime while Harry was out Lorry driving to make ends meet. He'd spend the evenings building wheels and making frames in the workshop beneath the family home and shop.
Harry Halls Cycles:
1962
to
1976
Harry, and the shop, became famous for providing probably the UK's first neutral service vehicle. Between 62 - 76 Harry provided a free race service to most top UK and local events.

A friend and rider of the era said 'it was a great feeling, if you looked behind you and saw Harry & the van, you knew you'd made it!'

The little minis proved to be a reliable vehicle for the task. We ran 3 Mini's over this period, the latter two being performance modified to keep up with the pace the riders were now setting.
Harry Halls Cycles:Harry Halls Cycles:
1967
Harry gained reputation as arguably the top British mechanic of his era, from some of the World's most prestigious races such as the Tour de France, L'avenir, the Tour of Britain, Holland, Canada, Mexico, Malaga, the Warsaw-Berlin-Prague (Peace Race) and many more..... including all major events in the UK calendar.

In 1967 Tour de France Harry was mechanic to the British racing cyclist Tom Simpson, who on the 13th July died in a tragic but glorious attempt to do what no Briton had done before - to win the Tour de France.
Harry Halls Cycles: Harry Halls Cycles: image 2 of 2
1970
The World Championships are held at Leicester and Harry is appointed as head mechanic, quite an honour and responsibility! Norton made special motorbikes for the motor paced track events which were delivered a few days before the event. They were impressive but their high tech belt drive wasn't! Harry persuaded the management that he, with the help of the Polish team mechanic (a few vodka's) and the Leicester Bus corporation, could sort it. They didn't get much sleep but the races were ran.

It was a great and memorable event. We all banged on the boards as Hugh Porter won his 5th World pursuit title. Les West finished 4th in the Pro road race.

Harry even got a paid for his services. The Bahama's only professional sportsman 'Boston Blackie' secured Harry's services as mechanic, coach and mentor. He was a heavy weight boxer who'd got all enthusiastic about cycling, beat everyone back home and now had bigger plans. Very nice bloke, who'd only been riding a year.
This page is work in progress. please call back.

Graham

Son of Harry. Graham started at Harry's in 1976 when the shop was on Cathedral Street. A roadie at heart, despite winning a couple of races in the 70's Graham preferred the training to the racing. Now in his 60's he still enjoys getting out on the bike as often as possible. Lives in the hills and is a recent convert to electric mountain biking!

Graham has ran the business since 1985.


Simon

Simon started at Harry's in 1984 as a young lad! Initially a fairly quick tester. Simon now enjoys commuting to work along the Mersey and a few outings into the Cheshire plains when time permits. His love of cycling & road bikes is evident to everyone he meets.

Position: Shop manager
Knowledgeable on: All aspects of cycling.


Andy

A nicer bloke, you could not meet. Loves his bikes almost as much as his ale. Joined Harry's in 2007. Andy has done an interesting mix of cycling in his time. Time trials, touring (Manchester to Morocco) and now XC Mountain biking on the hills above 'Tod where he lives'. Commutes to work by train & Brompton!

Position: Sales
Knowledgeable on: Road, XC mountain, touring, commuter, single speed and folding bikes


Will

Joined us (again) in 2021, a very competent & experienced mechanic.

Position: Mechanic


Steve

Has been with us since 2015 he is a very conscientious and helpful member of our team, whose not only knowledgeable but can turn his hand to fixing bikes too.

Position: Sales & Mechanic
Knowledgeable on: Mountain, single speed and folding bikes


Dave

Is passionate about his road / gravel riding. He has competed in many events over the years.
Position: Weekend Sales
Knowledgeable on: Road / Gravel cycling


Warren

Is our newest recruit and is passionate about his cycling.
Position: Part time Sales

this page is currently under development

Harry Halls Cycles:
1955
We were established in 1955 by Harry Hall, himself an enthusiastic cyclist. Harry started to build up the business on Hyde Road Manchester, but did however have very limited capital. At times he would keep the boxes from something he had sold, so he could put the empty boxes back on the shelves to make the shop look more stocked!

In the early days Jean (his wife) looked after the shop in the daytime while Harry was out Lorry driving to make ends meet. He'd spend the evenings building wheels and making frames in the workshop beneath the family home / shop.
Harry Halls Cycles:Harry Halls Cycles:Harry Halls Cycles:
1960
to
1984
Moved to 30 Cathedral Street. We were one of first bike shops in country to go into a city centre location. The trade thought Harry was mad, how he proved them wrong! Within a few years more space was needed. Number 32 came up and he took it. Working late into the night, with the aid of several cycling friends they knocked 2 into 1.

It quickly became the 'Aladin's Cave' of cycling. With the help of the contacts met on the 'tours' Harry sourced the 'continental gear' which at the time was very hard to come by. Frames from Olmo, Masi, Colnago, De Rosa, Basso. Beautiful wool clothing from Moa, Santini, De Marchi, and Beelen Sport. Hand crafted Italian shoes from Giochotti..... the list goes on.

Not only were we he first in the UK to sell it, but Harry and good friend Bob Thom were offered the the UK distribution of the then 'un-heard of Shimano gears.

Harry needed more workshop space, so took on a unit in the nearby 'old womens prison' With the help of 'master-brazer' Roger Kowalski, they hand crafted steel frames for the discerning cyclists (and a few celeb's)

In the late 70's to 80's your choice of bike was very limited. It was either a 'sit up and beg' to go to work on, a reasonable but basic tourer / racer or you had to break the bank and custom build one. We saw the gap and started hand building, affordable tailored bikes. Pretty quickly we were selling more Harry Halls than we were Holdsworths or Peugeots. It was great time, I really enjoyed selling the 'tourers' as you were involved in creating something to make the clients 'journey' special.
Harry Halls Cycles:
1984
to
1996
In 83 the 'Moutain Bike' arrived. It hit us like a storm. First a few Ridgbacks, then Muddy Fox (*), Specialized, GT, Saracen (*), Kona, Cannondale, Rocky Mountain, Marin & Trek. We needed more space.....

Our landlords, the Corn Exchange had a huge, 7000 sq feet deralict sub-basement unit they could'nt let, Harry seized the opportunity.......

We created one of the first air-conditioned, slot boarded 'cycle havens' in the UK. Complete with computerised stock control, over 200 quality bikes and 50 frames on display plus every garment and gadget you could think of. While the mountain bike boomed, it 'rocked'. We regularly had 50 - 60 customers in at a time and needed 14 staff to service it.
Harry Halls Cycles:
1996
The IRA blow up Manchester, the bomb was less than 200 feet from our front door. Fortunately, thanks to good policing, we were evacuated in time, to Victoria station and thankfully no one was injured. You couldn't say the same for the Corn Exchange !
Harry Halls Cycles:
1996
to
2000
After a brief stay in Eccles we moved back into the city centre. Lever Street was a modern large 4,000sq foot store with full height windows on 3 elevations.

Two customers helped us immesly during this difficult period. Andrew Booth who promptly let us use his shop in Eccles till we found somewhere else. And Andrew Joseph, who not only pointed me to the Lever Street shop,but got me an un-beleivable deal. In addition he and his brother kindly gave us free storage their nearby premises. I am eternally greatfull for the help and support you gave me
Harry Halls Cycles:
2000
to
now
Whitworth Street West
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