Still think there's a market for a decent MTB shop in London and wondering what you think makes a good one...
Bike Forum
favourite off-line MTB bike shop and why?
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Posted 4 months ago #
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service
service
serviceand servicing
Posted 4 months ago # -
did someone say service .....
good mechanic and workshop will bring more business than bling bikes
did someone say service ?
Posted 4 months ago # -
staff that have a passion for the sport and not just someone who is paid to be there
Posted 4 months ago # -
oh and local rides set up throught the shop
Posted 4 months ago # -
Being middle class, I think a good coffee machine is also important in a bike shop. More importantly, yes a great mechanic is vital, and shop rides are, I would imagine, a great way of generating goodwill and customers.
Posted 4 months ago # -
the shop i go to (melksham cycle centre).i don't have enough good things to say about them (have posted about them before here).the manager has let me buy/p,x towards a new bike (more than once)and take the bike (whilst still paying it off interest free).even though he knows that i am unemployed at present.cannot think of many shops that would do that tbh (and yes i have paid the bike off now
Posted 4 months ago # -
Do all my own spannering so dont use shop mechanics, cant stand shops where the staff are patronising, misserable and clueless (quite a few bike shops that I know), only buy MTB's, frames, kit from my LBS (not the closest as its 40 miles away - Freeborn in Horsham) as the guys there are friendly and always willing to help and I get a discount:-), even though they sell MTB's and road bikes not sure that road bikes are their strong point so buy all road bikes, parts etc from Geared Bikes and Wear who are very good to deal with and know their stuff, conversly probably wouldnt buy a mountain bike from them as again their expertise seems to be road biking.
Not a great fan of CRC or Wiggle although occasionally I will get something there if its not available in either of the above, dont mind spending a bit over the top to get good service/advice from LBS.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Approachable/sound staff. Wheelbase in Staveley is a great example.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I thought there were loads of bike shops in London...
Anyway not living in the centre of the universe I can only go based on what us unsophisticated, provincial types value and thats having the basic bits you might need in an pinch at a *reasonable price (tyres, tubes, cables, etc) no point exclusively selling blingy stuff, it's all cheaper on CRC...
And of course service, by which I mean useful mechanics and assistants able to offer advice rather than read you a brochure.
The biggest market in London will be cycle commuters not Downhillerists or XC racers so get your focus on them not flogging £3k wonder ponies to Audi driving toss bags...Oh and I don't see how coffee and biscuits will enhance your business' success, anyone who comes in looking for a cuppa should be politely redirected to the Costa down the road...
* London Reasonable of course
Posted 4 months ago # -
The biggest market in London will be cycle commuters not Downhillerists or XC racers so get your focus on them not flogging £3k wonder ponies to Audi driving toss bags...
Ingorant fool.
As it happens, there's not really any proper MTB shops in London, or at least in the centre of town (Moose is about the closest), hence the reason Cycle Surgery have taken the step of making one of their stores in Spitalfields in to just that, a specialist MTB shop for those of us who ride MTBS and happen to live and/or work in London. If you could get over your prejudice, you might realise that not only is that a lot of people, but it's also a very large potential turnover as those people earn quite a lot!
Streets paved with gold, etc.
For me, however, my favourite off line shop is Stonehenge Cycles in Salisbury. And why? Well, here's a list;
Service
Stock
Service
Laughter
Service
Cake
Service
Coffee
Service
Banter
Service
Variety
Service
Value
Service
Erm, I rekcon that's about it!Posted 4 months ago # -
Surbiton Cycles - on the Thames, great location, customer service and super friendly.
Posted 4 months ago # -
racefaceec90 - Member
the shop i go to (melksham cycle centre).i don't have enough good things to say about them (have posted about them before here).the manager has let me buy/p,x towards a new bike (more than once)and take the bike (whilst still paying it off interest free).even though he knows that i am unemployed at present.cannot think of many shops that would do that tbh (and yes i have paid the bike off nowYeah that Melksham shop looks unassuming but they're really helpful & knowledgeable in there.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Service has been mentioned, but what is service exactly?
For me GlennG's 'not clueless yet not patronising' bit is important.
If someone works in a shop and actually rides bikes, tests products, cares for his customers' experiences (e.g. by sharing (shop) rides with them or just being approachable and patient enough so that customers come back and bother to give you feedback), maybe even keeps informed beyond his local radar (mags, forums, races), but can STILL accept that his personal preference might not be everyone's cup of tea - that's quite an achievement and a good start to provide good service.
Ah, and people - be it in a bike shop or anywhere else - should actually like their job. If you don't like to meet - not to mention talk to - people please stay in the workshop. While a mechanic who knows his stuff AND rides his stuff AND likes to talk and share his insights is probably ideal.
And that's why I like Street Life in Norwich so much!
Posted 4 months ago # -
Trouble with a London LBS is that most places with local resident cyclists are usually pretty low rent and scuzzy, and bikes are likely to be clunkers or knock offs.
The only significant market would be commuters, and they don't really care if the shop is "Local", serves nice coffee, has framed up magazine articles on the wall or not - they just want quick, cheap and polite service; sort of like any other retail experience really......
Posted 4 months ago # -
The most important thing for me is the smaller parts such as brake adaptors, bearing kits, replacement dropouts, etc. The kind of bits that are small but can easily spell a cancelled ride or a delay in building up a new bike.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Well things my LBS does that on-line can't compete on.They have been open for 15 years and I have been using them for 12so I might not be that objective.
Local knowledge, in my opinion by far the most important. What works in the hills of surrey isn't probably going to work down here. As per service, in no particular order:
they set up rides, shuttle days in Italy for nice customers. They are indeed very good and very knowledgable on the good. They store a decent range of things. They are at the centre of a social network of riders, for instance they usually introduce customers that fits in the "LBS philosphy" for the saturday rides. They have free coffee. It's a great place to share lunch with the owners. They lend their own bike when you need one and yours is being fixed. They have a fair pricing policy that suits very well someone like me. Did I mention rides. No I mean did I mention motorbike rides? They build and maintain trails. They sponsor a local club and help with the annual enduro event by helping building the stages and on the day of the event. They are now good friends of me and the SO, we both know the name of repsective families.
Now I know I am stupid but I just possibly can't bring myself to buy online. I would feel very bad, like I have stab them in the back. Price is not really a problem for me. If I can afford something I'll buy it. If I can't I won't as simple as that. But then I know I am different from everyone on here about this point.Posted 4 months ago # -
juan - Member
Now I know I am stupid but I just possibly can't bring myself to buy online. I would feel very bad, like I have stab them in the back. Price is not really a problem for me. If I can afford something I'll buy it. If I can't I won't as simple as that. But then I know I am different from everyone on here about this point.
Not stupid, probably different
Not everyone has a "bottom line" mentality and I also am prepared to pay for a friendly and local service.
My LBS is only a few % over CRC on almost everything and you always get those "odd little nuts, bolts and plastic thingamajigs" for nothing from their spares bin.Can you put a price on everything you do in life, I can't but some obviously does not in any way see beyond the price tag - personal choice innit
Posted 4 months ago # -
Cheltenham Cycles great TEA they use TETLEY.Cant beat it.Cycling kit is very good too
Posted 4 months ago # -
Tetley tea! Get yourself a box of assam tea then try and tell me Tetley is good tea!
Off line shop of choice is Solent Cycles for exceptionally helpful staff and convenience. Hargroves is good for stock but service more variable. Last 3 complete bikes from there and great workshop service.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Bromley Bike Co, in Bromley.
Like them because their mechanics know their stuff, and my bike is always ready when they say it'll be ready... unlike the other bike shop in Bromley.Posted 4 months ago # -
We also have special tea...
Posted 4 months ago # -
Best LBS I have used, has awesome service, a good sized shop, water and coffee machines, a bike wash area, a workshop where you roll up and they have a look immediately and fix it there and then if they can, free organised bike rides - and it's only a small shop..... Shame it's in Spain.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Bikelab in Richmond, excellent service good banter and great mechanic, some very nice MTB, or if you want to - road bikes.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Halfords all the way! They sell full suspension DH bikes for only £70, beat that for value!
Posted 4 months ago # -
The best LBS in my experience are the ones where I decide that, on balance, I would rather pay a little more and give them my business because they are good people, providing excellent service and they deserve to do well.
There are two that spring to mind. Head for the Hills in Dorking (where I first shopped because they were a Nicolai dealer) and Pedal and Spoke in Peaslake, because I've yet to meet anyone who didn't think Howard was a thoroughly nice chap!
It's getting harder to keep everyone happy though as Nirvana are a great bunch of guys especially when you get to know them.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I can't but some obviously does not in any way see beyond the price tag
Yes and that is very sad i think.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Off line shop of choice is Solent Cycles for exceptionally helpful staff and convenience. Hargroves is good for stock but service more variable. Last 3 complete bikes from there and great workshop service.
Are you me?
Solent is superb. Proper staff with a real passion for all aspects of the sport. Service is brilliant, I've lost count of the number of times I've dropped a filthy MTB in for some fettling and they've not just accommodated it but also turned it around in time for my next ride. Joe has led rides for our Tuesday night crowd, Mike (owner) has solved a particularly awkward problem with failing kit (not bought from them!) with the importer and they just generally go that extra mile to help. As a result they get constant recommendation from me and have yet to let down anyone who I've sent in there!
Hargroves do have excellent stock but just seem to lack the same kind of personal feel and service. The staff aren't as interested and are certainly aren't as knowledgeable.
The thing that shops need to understand is that because of the internet anyone that calls in is likely to be pretty well informed (not necessarily correctly) about products and that they need to either support or disuade using reasoned, informed opinion and not just "well........er..........we've sold a few of them" type sales or bullshit.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I'm big fan of Stif, good staff, no pressure to buy, good coffee and lots of nice things to look at. Having them attached to the SC importer also helps
Posted 4 months ago # -
Well things my LBS does that on-line can't compete on.They have been open for 15 years and I have been using them for 12so I might not be that objective.
Local knowledge, in my opinion by far the most important. What works in the hills of surrey isn't probably going to work down here. As per service, in no particular order:
they set up rides, shuttle days in Italy for nice customers. They are indeed very good and very knowledgable on the good. They store a decent range of things. They are at the centre of a social network of riders, for instance they usually introduce customers that fits in the "LBS philosphy" for the saturday rides. They have free coffee. It's a great place to share lunch with the owners. They lend their own bike when you need one and yours is being fixed. They have a fair pricing policy that suits very well someone like me. Did I mention rides. No I mean did I mention motorbike rides? They build and maintain trails. They sponsor a local club and help with the annual enduro event by helping building the stages and on the day of the event. They are now good friends of me and the SO, we both know the name of repsective families.
Now I know I am stupid but I just possibly can't bring myself to buy online. I would feel very bad, like I have stab them in the back. Price is not really a problem for me. If I can afford something I'll buy it. If I can't I won't as simple as that. But then I know I am different from everyone on here about this point.
If I had a LBS like this, I wouldn't go online either.Posted 4 months ago # -
If I had a LBS like this, I wouldn't go online either.
Maybe you have but just don't know it. As I said it's a 12 year relationship. Plus it is not that local, about 40 kms, but it use to be my local. I think it's a common problem in our society as the concept of community and commitment/loyalty are less important to people than just money"
Posted 4 months ago # -
Maybe you have but just don't know it
I haven't Juan, I've checked.
All I seem to have is identikit stores selling the same stuff;
Clothing; Endura/Royal/spesh
Bikes; Giant/Spesh/Trek
No stock of anything interesting or expensive.Posted 4 months ago # -
A big shout for me goes to twelve-fifty bikes in frodsham cheshire.
Knowledgable and passionate about everything to do with cycling, always keen to answer questions, organised night rides and weekend rides, good mechanic, plenty of stock and blingy bikes to look at, test and buy.
Kettle on the ready and competetive prices, need i say more!Posted 4 months ago # -
DJ Cycles in Ramsbottom (Holcombe brook)
servicing & repairs, great service!
Posted 4 months ago # -
Cookson Cycles in Whitefield.
Service, both customer and actual mechanical bike service.
Another shop local to me treat me like I'm not there because I wear a shirt and tie and am in my 40s. Clearly I'm not "cool" (or whatever hip young gun slingers say these days) enough to spend my money there, so I don't. Maybe their attitude has changed but I won't be going back to find out.
Posted 4 months ago #
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