Okay, wanting a road bike now, got about £1,800 to spend and I've got a few different options in mind all within budget etc. What I'm really after is a decent shop who show some interest and provide a decent fitting service.
A few shops I have googled and have come up with bad customer service reports, and a few others I have personal experience of and wasn't impressed.
Now call me stingy but I don't like handing over that kind of cash to uninterested shop staff. I'm central Manchester based, but can get out to surrounding areas easy enough if it's an awesome shop, so, anybody got any reviews of places who know how to fit a road bike and aren't twunts? Or anybody work for a shop and want to give me a good discount 😉
Depends where abouts in Manchester area you are , bicycle doctor is good in Longsight, I use Jeff Smoith cycles in Bolton as he is straight talking and reliable, will build a bike around your choice of frame and give good follow up , he also has high end road bikes like bianci .
Got any particular brands in mind?
I've always found Evans on Deansgate very good and there's a new branch of Evans at Manchester velodrome now as well.
A few things in mind, Trek Madone 3.5, Giant TCR comp 1, Cannondale SuperSix, Cube Agree etc. Nothing is set in stone though, as I obviously will be buying the one that fits best (or if two fit the same, then the one with the bestest stickers, obviously).
As a mountain biker, I've got all the wrong kit too, so shoes, pedals etc etc will all need to be purchased, most places throw in a bit of kit with a cash purchase?
Also, I dont mind going to surrounding towns/cities if the shop is good!
hewiit in Leyland - bit further to travel but worth it
Ribble bit marmite though
Royles in Wilmslow are spot on, and have a decent range of stuff...
Top blokes there too IMHO.
Mk Cycles in Bolton is a Giant Dealer, always had good service when i have been in.
check out Harry Hall's. Decent second hand Trek Madone 5.5 for your budget - originally >£3k
http://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/directory.asp
I've always got a good vibe from Harry Halls.
Last time i was in there one of the bike mechanics was complaining that the boss had let someone use the workshop area for a bit to work on their bike at lunchtime 😀
Cookson Cycles in Whitefield for Trek and a few other brands.
Ribble Cycles, you get more bang for your buck too
Evans are good though I've had mixed experience at Harry Halls - some of the staff are fantastic but not all of them...
Edinburgh Bike Cooperative have some great knowledgeable staff, excellent mechanics too.
DaveHinde - a bit further out but they never cease to amaze me 😉
Evans are good folk but their range is lacking IMO.
Harry Hall- I wouldn't touch that place again.
These people are recommended: http://www.surosa.co.uk/
Eddie McGrath's in Urmston
go upstairs to the aladins cave of road cycling 😀
Another vote for Geoff Smiths in Bolton, no flannel honest bike shop IME.
Try Ken Fosters in Chorlton. They're very roadie biased. They're a great bunch in there. Spot on for advice as they really know their stuff
http://www.kenfosterscyclelogic.co.uk/
Around this time of year they seem to have ridiculous discounts on some of the bikes in there which they don't list on their site. They stock Cannondale, Trek and Giant out of your choices. Well worth nipping in and having a look. There's a good chance you'll get a bargain
My two recommendations:
[url= http://www.rickgreencycles.co.uk/ ]Rick Green Cycles in Handforth[/url] My old LBS. Family run business. Won't patronise you and won't sell you what you don't need. Rick's grandson, Jack, is a very handy junior rider and currently [url= http://www.vcstraphael.co.uk/index.php/club-news/13-club-news/104-latest-from-jack-green-in-belgium ]riding in Belgium[/url].
[url= http://www.eddiemcgrathcycles.co.uk/ ]Eddie Mcgrath's in Urmston[/url] Run by Phil Leigh, ex president of [url= http://www.manchesterwheelers.co.uk/ ]Manchester Wheelers (my club)[/url] and wife of Carole Leigh (a mainstay of BC racing in the North West).
You'll get excellent personal service from both shops. Sure, they may not have piles of stock - family businesses - but they can get what you want and will look after you properly.
(Plenty of other good recommendations up there too.)