Video: London commuters' bikes get surprise Christmas makeover

A pair of London commuters got a pleasant surprise before Christmas when they returned to where they had parked their bikes to find them gift-wrapped, serviced, cleaned and with some brand new accessories.

Tom Preedy and Joe Bullock from Bike Shack Leyton turned Christmas elves to pimp up the unsuspecting owners’ bikes while they were off at their jobs, filming their handiwork, and the cyclists’ reactions when they returned, on hidden cameras.

Preedy told ITV London News: “We know that feeling when you are returning to your bike, hoping it is still there, hoping it still has it wheels, or a saddle to sit on. So we thought it would be cool if we could turn that apprehension into Christmas joy.”

If the video is anything to go by, the two owners welcomed the surprise – though knowing how attached cyclists get to their bike, and the familiarity that builds up over the years with the saddle, handlebar and pedals that are your physical connection with it, we can’t help wondering if others might have been less thrilled?