Today I went over to AW cycles in Reading to use my cycle to work funds.
usually i hate local bike stores and will do anything to avoid using one, but they were awesome .
Absolutely outstanding service, they had what I wanted, Giant TCR Advantage 3 road bike ( rocking horse poo , cant get them anywhere )
they are going to custom fit free the bike of charge, this includes swapping the bars,saddle,crank size ,stem and seat-post if necessary.
all included in the purchase price.
they were extremely helpful,polite and knowledgeable but to top it all off the prices were better than most on line vendors for park tool's ,tyres and other general paraphernalia .
So my new local bike store is a 20 mile drive away,if that what it takes to get great service I'm happy with that.
My new fave is a train ride away, or a pedal, depending what i'm buying!! You cant beat shops who care about their customers and credit them with some knowledge of a bikes workings, tho i believe some people still take bikes in for puncture repairs!!
50 min car journey to my fav (not so)LBS
1 minute round the corner to my favourite. But I live in the middle of quite a busy town, so its never perfect.
I'm yet to find one I'd be entirely happy using, but Swinnertons on the Chase have been ok, if a little expensive.
second Swinno's. Not the cheapest on larger item purchases for sure, but if you wanna see it, try it on, get fair and unbiased advice, from peopl ewho know what they're talking about, who never seem to have an agenda to sell you crap, they're your guys.
plus they're really nice people too!
on and on - you were just lucky.
Not the same in the MTB dept. downstairs. Some good stock but shocking service and incompetent workshop 'skills' in my experience.
I have never ever been so let down with any purchase in my life!
Zbonty
Interesting to know that, I'll keep an eye on the spannering when my bike is built up.
i met one of the "engineers",he was a young guy (around 20-25) nice enough bloke and helpfull with a couple of MTB question's i threw at him.
Can i use this post to big up two LBS's
FRED WILLIAMS CYCLES (wolverhampton)
BRIDGTOWN CYCLES (cannock)
I've been cycling for 14+ years. Both sets of guys have never let me or more to the point my bikes down in all that time. Cheers lads. 🙄
I shall not mention my favourite LBS's for fear of starting the great Stourbridge bike shop debate again. Suffice to say that they are both very good for very different reasons.
I think we luck out a bit in terms of LBSs near me.
+1 for Fred Williams in Wolverhampton
My new LBS is DJ Cycles in Holcombe Brook. So far they have been absolutely spot on, friendly, knowledgeable, good prices.
I almost wish I broke more stuff!
Matt
