History

For over sixty years Condor Cycles of London has been building bicycles specific to customer needs.

At Condor the aim is to provide everything that bicycle ownership entails, from advice, bike fitting, components and clothing, to repairing a puncture on a Monday morning.

Our success over the last sixty years has been dependent on being aware of current and future technologies. Ongoing market research and close relationships with key component manufactures has enabled Condor to offer the latest products; tried, tested and assessed before appearing on the store’s shelves.

In 1948 the majority of race bikes were bespoke but in today’s market place, a bespoke bicycle is a rarity. At Condor, it is what we have done every day for sixty years. From competitive to fitness rider, commuter, new or returning cyclist, the right bike opens up a world on two wheels.

As more and more marques take their manufacturing to the Far East, we continue to produce our frames by hand in Italy. Frames are constructed from our own selection of tubing and manufactured to our own design requirements. We utilise the right materials to produce frames dedicated to each purpose.

The bikes take inspiration from our rich heritage. Condor bicycles have been ridden to World Championship gold medals, ridden in the Tour de France, and have been the choice of many figures in the public limelight, ranging from judges to rock stars. Few brands can claim to have their bikes ridden by cycling household names including Tom Simpson and Bradley Wiggins.

Condor has survived tough economic climates in a number of decades because, at its core, Condor and its staff have a passion for cycling.

Timeline

1948 – Monty Young opens Condor Cycles at 90 Gray’s Inn Road
1950 – Condor Cycles opens 211 Balls Pond Road
1960 – Move to larger premises at 144 Gray’s Inn Road
1960 – Era of the Condor Mackeson team, which nurtured top riders such as Colin Lewis and Dave Bonner
1972 – Grant Young, Monty’s son, begins working at Condor in 1972
1980 – Monty Young sets up Paris Lightweight Cycle – frames feature unique style and handsome bi-laminations.
1986 – Condor Cycles support Percy Bilton Pro Cycling Team – racing in a range of Pro tour race
1998 – Move to larger premises at 51 Gray’s Inn Road
1998 – Supports Anglia Sport cycling team. Rider Gary Baker wins several stages of Milk Race
2005 – 'The Condor Years: A Panorama of British Cycling' is published
2006 – Rapha Condor racing team formed
2007 – Reintroduction of the Paris Cycles range – includes Galibier and Tour de France models
2008 – Condor Cycles celebrates 60th Anniversary
2008 – Dean Downing takes National Criterium title on the Condor Leggero
2009 – Kristian House wins National Road Race Championship on the Condor Leggero
2009 – Store expansion and refit