High quality bicycle parts are surprisingly easy to find in Iran.

Many Iranians love outdoor activities including cycling so every city should have at least one shop selling brands like Shimano as well as several offering cheaper Chinese parts. You may have to ask around as the high-quality shops can be located outside the town centre. Here are some useful addresses:

Esfahan – We haven’t checked this bike shop out but we met the owner, Vahid Tavakoli, in Tehran. His shop is at Chahrah-e Naghashi, Ebtedaye Neshat, Foroushgah-e Meliposhan. Tel: 0913 3155957 or (0311) 2645291

Shiraz – Cross Cycles sells Giant bikes, Shimano parts and Alex rims. It’s on Afifabad Street, outside the town centre. There is a repair shop on Fakhrabad Street beside the mosque. Fakhrabad Street runs off Emam Hasan Square, a few blocks south of Zand Street.

Tabriz – The famous Saeed Mohammedi, who gives a free service for bicycle tourists, and a host of other bike shops are found on Nader Square, just west of the city centre. Saeed can be reached by telephone on 282 00 82 or 0914 313 63 72.

For parts, also good and nearer the centre is Alamir Habib Commerce (24 Artesh Avenue). A few shops on Emam Khomeini Street sell camping supplies and in one of the malls off this street is a small store crammed with high quality outdoor gear including down jackets, sleeping bags, MSR stoves and Petzl headlamps.

Tehran – Pooya Cycle Co Ltd, 301 Satarkhan Street, Tohid Square. +98 (021) 6642 8800 or +98 (021) 6642 9209. A shop that sells high quality bicycles as well as a range of parts and accessories including some basic panniers. The owner speaks English. Some local cyclists say prices are higher here than they should be so you may need to bargain.

Hidden away on a side street off Jomhoori Islami Avenue is a nameless hole-in-the-wall gem of a bike shop with Sport Bike written on the window in large red lettering. They stock some Shimano parts and can order just about anything you want with a few days notice, including high quality rims like Mavic and DT Swiss. They also offer cheaper alternatives and do repairs. Hours can be erratic so call before you go. The owner speaks a little English. The address is: 260 Shahid Changizi Street, Bastan Jonoubi Street, Jomhoori Islami Avenue, Tehran. Tel: (021) 6643 5410

Yazd – Bicycle City on Ayatollah Kashari Street (off Basij Boulevard) has some Shimano parts, clothing and other goodies.

If you need to get your bike repaired in Yazd, try Tirachian Bicycle Shop on Shahid Rejaei Street (formerly Iranshahr). They did a very nice job rebuilding our wheels and even knocked down the price from the original quote when we came to pick up our new wheels. (Tel. 626 8291)

Camping equipment is also widespread but it may not be as lightweight or compact as you’d wish. Things like tents and sleeping bags are definitely best bought outside Iran. On the other hand, it’s easy to find smaller items like camping gas cartridges and head torches.