'BIKE nerds' might sell them but a Hampshire town's newest cycling shop is wanting everyone to give electric bikes a chance.

The Cycle Company has set up shop in The Hundred, Romsey. Specialising in electric bikes, it wants to make them as accessible as possible to potential customers.

The business was first opened in Shawford, in 2003, by three friends, Tom Corcoran, Ed Chase and Duncan Pryde, who are all directors and passionate about all things two-wheeled.

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Duncan Cooper and David Westbrook at the shop in The Hundred (Image: Charles Elliman) "You can use a bike anywhere, just because it says it's a gravel bike doesn't mean you have to ride it on gravel," said Duncan Cooper.

Duncan, 37, is the manager at the Romsey shop and works in a team of two with assistant manager David Westbrook, 52, both are self-professed bike nerds.

The Romsey store sells three brands of bikes: Estarli, Advanced and Mondraka. The latter are German and Spanish, but Estarli are British.

The Romsey shop was opened in partnership with Estarli, a bike manufacturer based in Berkhamstead, near London.

Duncan said: "My favourite bike that we sell? It depends on what you're after! We're obviously in partnership with Estarli, so the E20s are smaller bikes and the E28s are the larger, full-speed bikes -both of them are absolutely superb.

"They're great for getting around town, or for going to the New Forest! The beauty of them being in England is that the spare parts are just up the road."

As well as the variety on offer from the British bike manufacturer, Duncan said The Cycle Company works closely with them.

The business also sells more brands from its Shawford shop. David and Duncan noted different models can be moved between sites for customers to test.

Duncan said: "You can work out what the best product is for you." Although longer, day length, hires require a damage deposit.

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The Romsey shop was opened in partnership with British electric bike manufacturer Estarli (Image: Charles Elliman) David said the company was keen to help customers decide on the right bike: "We can use our knowledge and expertise to help."

The prices start from around £1,500, but the pair noted the sky is the limit when it comes to bikes, especially electric bikes.

In addition to sales the company also services electric bikes, but they will potentially service analogue bikes in the future too.

Duncan said: "We've been in Romsey four weeks and we're going to approach things as we go forward."