Who we Are

Joe Hayward – El Capitan

Started Summit Cycles back in 1998, after working in the cycle industry for a number of years in the UK and Canada, it seemed like a natural progression.

Aberystwyth, an area with so much to offer cyclists of both fat and thin tyre persuasions seemed be crying out for a real bike shop. Life-long bike freak, ex racer, wannabe free-rider, occasional tourist. Terrible coffee bore and Tom Waits fan.

Number of bikes owned: Probably more than could be considered normal, or rational.

Favourite steed: Foes XCT 2:1/Trek Madone/KTM 950

Most likely to say: The Dude abides.

Favourite food: ‘Climbing ham’ Available only in dusty Spanish mountain village shops, or special order from Ultracomida up on Pier Street.

Best Trail: Mr. Hankie (Sierra Nevada) & the Mountain road to Rhayader

Favourite tool: Pedros bottle opener, Surley hip flask……

Jim Haddon – Manager Aberystwyth

Ex Aberystwyth Student, one-time trail builder, and now truly committed to the way of the Velo. Jim has been at Summit since about ’02, and keeps things running smoothly at all times, with his extensive product knowledge and quiet efficiency.

Number of bikes owned: 3, a compact, but devastatingly effective quiver.

Favourite steed: Specialized Tri-Cross/ Santacruz Heckler

Most likely to say: “Just fixing up another espresso”

Favourite food: His premium home made bread

Best Trail: Could be in the Dyfi, could be the one he’s keeping secret.

Favourite tool: The new coffee grinder from the Mecca

Martin Walker – Service Manager

Been at Summit since way back when. Keeps up our good reputation by being the most thorough cycle mechanic you are ever likely to have tweek your ride. Skilled wheel builder, all ‘round shop linchpin. Has ways of interpreting urban architecture that the planners never dreamed of.

Number of bikes owned: 4 at last count.

Favourite steed:Pace custom Trials/ Orange Patriot

Most likely to say: “I think I’ll leave it today, that slate looks a bit wet” then proceeds to ride up/over/onto seemingly impossible object.

Favourite food: Takes all comers

Best Trail: The one that goes over your car, over next door’s garden furniture, and then off the porch roof.

Favourite tool: Purple anodised Chris King hub service tools, all £300 worth of them.

Jon Davies – Sales Advisor & Mechanic

Joined us in Summer ’06, rider, climber, rugged outdoor type, with beard. Thorough mechanic, great product knowledge. Now fully operational after his knee op last year he is unstoppable, handy to have on a ride, what with the outdoor leader and first aid qualifications.

Number of bikes owned: 3 or 4, depends if you count the bits.

Favourite steed: Foes FXR, beat-up commuting Marin (shsssh) hybrid.

Most likely to say: Think I’ll wear me pads for this one. I see no taxi..

Favourite food: Slater’s Belgian buns. Best Trail: All of ‘em.

Favourite tool: Mechanix work gloves.

Oliver Davey – Saturday boy extraordinaire

As a life long woods dweller Oliver has been destroying and re-building bikes from an early age, once allowed access to proper tools he needed little tutoring. Rides so much we all hate him. His grips and tyres last weeks, or months at best, while everyone else’s last years. Keeps his ipod pure by only storing the music of Johnny Cash.

Number of bikes owned: 2 & 1/3rd.

Favourite steed: Santacruz Bullit/Specialized HotRock 16” (A bike built for 4 year olds, For his mini jump track) Most likely to say: I’m having a party next weekend….

Favourite food: The healthy stuff, odd, for a 17 year old.

Best Trail: Probably something secret, just built, with tools poached from his Granddads’ shed (as long as his mates haven’t blown it and posted pics on Pinkbike)

Favourite tools: Mattock, rake, and bow saw.