Right then.
Six months ago I moved to Tunbridge Wells from Leeds. Despite the fact that the riding here is pretty lame compared to where I used to ride, I like it.
However...
Apart from one place in Brighton, most of the bike shops I've popped into down here have been pretty standoffish; a bit too 'cool' for me. In fact, some owners are downright hostile, and obviously have better things to do that help out an enquiry from a friendly customer.
I'm not used to this. I used to get all my work done at Velocity Cycles in Huddersfield. Bob, the owner, is one of the nicest fella's and would frequently go the extra mile to help me out with my constant requests of 'Can you rebuild it?'. To the point that I'm going to take my new project up to him to build, even though it'll cost me in fuel and time.
So, who in your opinion is the best bike shop and why?
I nominate Bob!
Bob x 2
🙂
Cyclopaedia, Crwys Road, Cardiff run by Ian Jeremiah and Stuart Meek. They opened their shop 15 years ago, starting off as a small venture dealing in 2nd hand bikes, now moved ono far bigger and better things. Ian opened the shop SOLELY for me on Good Friday so I could collect my new Cube hardtail .. now THAT is service! I don't live in Cardiff anymore however I still call him buy my new bikes from him (got my Giant Reign from him 3 years ago) oh and today I come home to my parcel of a new drop out and patches. Would not go anywhere else.
Oh and remember he raced for Wales in the Commonwealths and is awesome to ride with!
Beyond Mountain Bikes, Smithbrook Kilns, Nr Dunsfold on the A281 between Guildford and Horsham (Surrey to West Sussex).
Invariably pleasant and chatty and put up with inane questions.
Bit closer than Huddersfield as well. 😉
petesgaff - are you sure it's not your "northern charm" that's putting them off (and the desire to pay in used whippets)..?
If you're going to use your old (not that)LBS in 'uddersfield, why don't you just post the stuff to them and then call them to discuss the build. May not save money, but it will save your time..!
ourmaninthenorth:
Alas, I am but an 'Honourary Northerner' I'm afraid; moved up in 1997 from the wilds of Sussex, so no flat cap, whippet or surly nature! Miss it terribly though... Stainburn, Dalby, Kielder and Hamsterley...(sigh)
And to be fair, I like the personal touch; I like to chat about things with someone, pop in to see how its going, drink their tea and eat their biscuits etc. I feel its all part of the rich pageant of cycling.
Although that did sound slightly suspect when I read it back... ❗
I have had relly bad experience with LBS, not sure if it is a girl thing and been treated as if I know nothing or what but for years I only ever used chain reaction as it was just easier than going into a shop; but lately I have gone into Billy Bilslands in glasgow and had great service. They have gone out of their way to get me some stuff, have always been chatty and not treated me like a dumb blonde!
The Bike Chain in Edinburgh. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that don't take themselves too seriously.
Primera in Bournemouth seriously awesome amount of kit, hellpful staff always happy to chat and very knowable
Alas, I am but an 'Honourary Northerner' I'm afraid; moved up in 1997 from the wilds of Sussex, so no flat cap, whippet or surly nature! Miss it terribly though... Stainburn, Dalby, Kielder and Hamsterley...(sigh)
Likewise. Met a girl from Wigan at university and have never (well, sometimes) looked back. They're ad odd lot in the Norf, but I've got kinda used to them now.
As for your LBS issue, I reckon get the build sent up to Velocity and, in the meantime, when you need bits and pieces see whether there's any rapport you can build up with the surly, too cool for school "radical" MTBers of the south east....
2nd The Bike chain in edinburgh. Knowledgeable friendly staff who don't mind you popping in for a chat.
*feels the love* thanks Colin and Steven.
John's Bikes in Bath. 'Nuff said.
northampton - pitsford cycles, top notch people in there and always willing for a good chat
Keswick cycles, very friendly and helpful last week when I was in there.
So which was the one in Brighton that was ok. Although I live here I can't remember the last time I went in to any of them, so I'd be intrested to know where to go if I need to.
Glad it's not only me that thinks that Wildside are worthless - never had good service in there in all the time I've had to use them (pretty much since they started). It's emergencies only that see me in there ie. if something goes wrong and I can't get to a London shop in time. I bought a s/s conversion kit and was asked at the till 'what do you want that for - s/s is a waste of time'.
Eejits.
I rate the Bishopsgate branch of Cycle Surgery, Condor Cycles, Velorution and 14 Bike Co just round the corner from Brick Lane. Paul at Freshtripe online is pretty good too for personal service...
avdave2,
The LBS in Brighton is located near Paul Bruton Army Supplies; near the big fire station. The fella sorted me out a trick rear skewer/axle for my jump bike, and is a proper engineer...
ourmaninthenorth,
Whereabouts in Wigan are you? I lived at Wrightington Hospital for a bit, and then on Kenyon Rd near the college for two years. Used to get sweet and sour Chicken from the Silver Star in Standish. Happy days with the pie-eaters...
And thinking about it, Charlie the Bikemonger plays a blinder for all my SS bits; although he forgot to send the half-link with the chain I ordered...
My LBS, [url= http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/ ]Triton Cycles[/url] in Barkingside (Essex) are soup-herb.
That would be Rayments where I bought my Rockhopper in 1986. Back then it was a family run business selling mainly road and touring bikes. They only had two mountain bikes, the Rockhopper in red or blue and a Ridgeback with a 531 frame in green. If I close my eyes I can still see them in the window. It was one of those shops where the walls were covered in postcards from customers who had cycled all over the world. It really was a proper bike shop and run by real friendly enthusiasts. In the end they sold up because selling the thing they loved gave them no time to do the thing they loved. They did open a bike shop in Lewes a few years later which was also good. Once they had retired and sold it though it went downhill and is now a funeral directors.
Anyway I'm glad to here it's still a good bikeshop, I'll give it a try next time I need something.
Marshalls Cycles - Welwyn
They make great coffee!!!
I second Beyond as being good, within reach of RTW too, but it's not as good now I don't work there 🙂
Two Wheels.
Not just to start another argument, but because today they really helped me out. Again.
The Hub in Southampton
I may be wrong but I think adstick who posts on here runs a bike shop in Brighton - wonder if that was the one? I got my bike from biketreks and have generally been pretty impressed by them. It's a really nice shop to go and look round too.
Munque-chick, Cyclopedia used to be near The Flora off cathays terrace, I remember them when they first started out. Also used to go to Sunset and remember, I think it was Deals for Wheels, the second hand bike shop on City Road?
Best bike shop for me has to be Wheels in Motion in Chard, Somerset, run by Andy and Margaret. I would, and have, travelled more than 5 hours to them since I moved from the area - fantastic service, very knowledgeable, great people, good prices. Higly recommended.
Cheltenham cycles in err...Cheltenham, sound advice, stocks lots of sparkly things and they even start posts on ST about you when you've popped in
I bought my first MTB, an Orange c16 from Rayments off Preston Road.
At the time, i was an absolute alladins cave of cycling. Carrying Cannondale, Orange as well as Specialised and Marin + others,if you were looking to buy a decent bike rather than a Halfords levels bike, they had great choice. Also, desipte the "urban" nature of the shop, they took time and let me try several bikes over a couple of hours til I was happy. I think the chap running was quite a "serious" chap, and could see how some might think they were a but "above themselves" but I never had any issues with them what so ever.
As it was the C16 was so much better than anything else at the money at that time!
You might think this should be normal, but getting trial rides when you walk off the street is in my experience no so easy (although Bikehut in Dorking were good for this recently too!)
Ian Brown Cycles here in Guernsey. On first name terms with both the owners who always go out of their way to help. Started getting an automatic discount, once they saw I was going to be spending money with them on a regular basis and they have a workshop that lets me borrow tools, tells me how to fix something and then *sigh* fixes it for me anyway when I completely **** it up.
Only fly in the ointment was the little twerp that tried to sell me second hand brake pads as new. Which had come off my bike the week before.
Oh did I mention that it's all VAT free? 😀
Bob @ Velocity. Top bloke & Dave too. Both really helpful.
Just been to Cube demo day organised by Bob & it was great. Even had pie peas on (home made too!!)Loads of bikes to ride, even Dave let me try his own AMS PRO 100.
Top day out
Apart from one place in Brighton, most of the bike shops I've popped into down here have been pretty standoffish; a bit too 'cool' for me. In fact, some owners are downright hostile, and obviously have better things to do that help out an enquiry from a friendly customer.
That pretty much sums up the current service from the local Kent shops. Wildside have had a mixture of very good, friendly staff members – in particular one of the floor staff (now left) and mechanics. However it's very much hit and miss these days. I've stopped using them on a regular basis for the reasons you mention.
Cycleops in Tonbridge is similar, one member of staff in there is particularly rude and abnoxious and has put me off using them altogether.
A real shame as I'd gladly spend money in a bike shop (rather than over t'internet) if I felt that I was getting the service to match the price premium.
Blazing Saddles in Hebden Bridge, Not Stif (leeds) though.
Can I put in a big shout for [url= http://www.certini.co.uk/ ][b]Certini Bikes[/b][/url] of Saltash Cornwall & the owners Rob & Tony. IMHO this is the best bike shop in the Plymouth area.
I've been using them for the last 5 or 6 years and I've now managed at long last to get them to call me by my first name. They have been very helpful with bikes, servicing, parts, advice, clothes & I was allowed to use just about every Spesh demo bike they had a year back when I was looking for my next bike. I always get great service & discount too. They even let me drop my bike off early on my way to work when they are there but not actually open & then they have it ready for me to collect on my way home - fantastic customer service guys!!!
druidh - MemberThe Bike Chain in Edinburgh. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that don't take themselves too seriously.
Agreed. We are lucky in Edinburgh tho with a good range of shops none of which are rubbish and all of which have their own strengths. Shame Jocky Allen retired tho - a real old skool bike shop with loads of those little odd bits that are hard to get these days - ferrules and the like
Both Race Co and Two Wheels in Stourbridge. Both very good in there own very different ways.
Now please don't start an argument.
TandemJeremy - MemberWe are lucky in Edinburgh tho with a good range of shops none of which are rubbish and all of which have their own strengths. Shame Jocky Allen retired tho - a real old skool bike shop with loads of those little odd bits that are hard to get these days - ferrules and the like
Aye - you know what they say - ferrules are for braking....
Druidh - go straight to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect £200
marshalls cycles for me. always 🙂
Hitman you're right there, they started on the corner of Flora STreet to attract the students and Stu's grandma owned it so made things easier for them. Now up on Crwys Road bigger and better premises! Top shop though
For those in the Kent area Larkfield Cycles has helped me out on numerous occasions.
Arguments? i'd hope most of the shops mentioned are here because of merit, not because the owner is a 'mate', no argument about that
[url= http://www.pearcecycles.co.uk ]Pearce Cycles[/url] in Ludlow take some beating. Not only a great shop with friendly knowledgeable staff, but Pearces also put a lot into the sport.
My bro' who lives dahn sarf always uses Marshals.
I can recommend my LBS called Cheltenham Cycles in Cheltenham. Great service and nothing is too much of trouble from any of the guys. Always friendly and very completive on price. (Shame they do not stock Specialized).
Also I have had very positive experience from the Specialized Concept store in Bristol. Very friendly and deliver on what they promise. Even have had coffee there while I waited for my new S-Works Epic to be setup. So in the future I will is seeing more of them for servicing.
Spoilt for choice here (Poole). First choice is Ride cycleworks, for organising rides and top service. If they haven't got what i want, bikelab or Primera probably have, as they always have top kit in both and the service is good in both. All within a few minutes walk.
I'll second the Tunbridge/Kent posts. I went in to a shop in T-Wells looking for a half-link for a SS chain. The assistant was helpful, but the owner/manager (?) looked at me like I'd taken a dump on his breakfast...
If you're reading this, Mr LBS owner, remember who pays your mortgage...
BE PLEASANT! ❗
I would have to say Velocity Cycles in Huddersfield too. After many years of mail order they have restored my faith in bike shops. By far the best in Huddersfield. Not a great deal of stock yet but I am going to keep going! And I can walk to it, score!!
pitsford cycles in northampton!
top blokes all, understanding and helpfull in doing my low margin bike fettling tasks.
they've got some lovely carbon road bikes in at the moment too.
I try and buy kit from them when i can, but I am pretty anal about getting the best price for expensive kit online, searched about for ages for some forks, then when i was in there to get some pads they whipped out some 08 fox f100 rlcs in white, brand spanking full warranty etc, rrp price tag of £509 still on em, mine for £350.
i hear the people that work in pitsford cycles are brilliant so talanted, good looking and intelligent, they are the gods of the bike world!! 😛
... okay maybe i do work at pitsford cycles haha
Betd for us chaps and chapettes in the Potteries. Done and doing plenty for mountain biking in our area.
not one shout for stif...wonder why....?
i was in there on friday, bought a spoon..... 8)
a friend hired a cotic susser and broke it.... 😥
Ton,
I've just bought something from Stif ('bout a week ago) and it hasn't arrived. (Low value item which I couldn't find anywhere else)
Should I be concerned? Are they a bit shyte?
stu, i would check thet they have even sent it...
when you are spending megabucks they are all over you.
i have phoned in and asked them to order smaller stuff, and when i phone say a week later no one knows anything about it.
they seem to have a 'don't give a ****' atitude.
Go to a bike shop that does not think you owe them a living.
If they are rude and think you should just hand your money to them then by all means find one that deserve the money for being polite.
Good ones should be rewarded and the rude ones let them be ... karma will work in a magical way.
Cheers mate.
I'll get on the blower on Monday.
Evans Cycles
😕
RD, should have been in today....we had can endless supply of homemade cake......
'Bike' in Bristol, opposite Habitat. Nice people who make sincere efforts to be helpful and informative. They acknowledge their customers exist, unlike Bike Dock. Politeness really does get customers back through the door!
My lbs are Freeborn and East St Cycles. Not bought from Freeborn but the staff seem friendly and knowledgable and interested, even when I'm twice as old as them. East St are pretty good and even when I had an "issue" with some stuff they did for me, they tried their absolute best to make it up which says a lot for them.
Both are a thousand times better than Cyclopedia in Tolworth whose staff couldn't be bothered to sell me anything. Ever. I'd rather go to Halfords. Or Argos. Or Asda.
Best? CRC (sorry does it have to be a physical shop?). They are local as all kit is next day and the service is generally good.
Lots really as the staff tend to have a shared-interest. There is one though that in the past I have put alot of business their way (frames, wheels, forks etc) - Cycle Surgery- wouldnt touch that chain even if they offered me free sex.
Mellors in Shrewsbury.
For a better Kent xperience, try Senacre Cycles, Maidstone or Bike Warehouse, Sevenoaks.
Another vote for The Bike Chain in Edinburgh.
Also Bothy Bikes is good if you are up that way.
No one ever mentions 'Sideways' anymore - always used to pop up a load of times as best cycle shop, even by folk who had never even been there, just as it was trendy to say they liked it!!! i've nothing against Sideways or Tim, but it did used to grate that folk only said it was great for no other reason that he had cool ads in ST magazine.
Blazing Saddles in Hebden Bridge and Cooksons in Whitefield Manchester.
Edinburgh Bike Co-Op in Manchester also seem to know their stuff.
I've had shockingly bad service from the 'Bicycle Doctor' in Rusholme on two separate occasions. I'll never ever buy anything from them again.
The guys at Sowerby Brothers in Mirfield are a good bunch!
Big Peaks in Ashburton... always feel welcome whenever I go in, and they give the impression that nothing is too much trouble. And I usually get a discount, a cup of tea, and a chat. 'Nuff said. 🙂
soops,
Interestingly Bob from Velocity started at Sowerby Bros before getting his own place. Good customer service; must be something in the air in Kirklees...
Moonglu in Ripon and dare I say it Stif - always been good to me.
I think a few shops in Bristol suffer from "too cool for school" syndrome. Bike are ok (as mentioned above) but my favourite is Strada on North St. They fixed my front brake for a low price last month, plus have a good range of spares & interesting kit on display.
If you think kent is bad for riding, try south london. Though we do have the quite good Brixton Cycles. Always freindly and chatty, nice line in socks too.
For the UK - Conventry cycle centre, I was trying to source alfine stuff to Ireland and they couldn't have helped more.
Would be happy to go back to again.
For ireland :worr:
Good Bike shops I've used before, and wouldn't hesitate to use again (in no particular order):
Cheltenham Cycles
Worcester Cycle Centre
About Bikes near Evesham
Sideways Cycles (yup, Tim is as good as his reputation!)
Swinnertons Cycles
John Atkins Cycles
Coventry Cycle Centre
Bike Shed in Cardiff (only been there once but they gave me massive discount just cos they know my mate!)
Beeline Bikes in Oxford
Noahs Ark
JE James in Sheffield
Any of these I would happily use again in their vicinity. There have been plenty of bad bike shops I've visited in the past though, and without wishing to name names, usually the larger the bike chain or the store, the worse the service is. You may not get the range of products in a smaller store, but more often than not (in my experience at least) you get much more helpful/knowledgable staff and a better service, and the possibility of discounts too (often without even asking).