[Closed] Chester / Wrexham Bike shops, Your experiences

big can of worms there dude !!!

paul

Oh yes, very big can of worms considering according to your profile you work in a bike shop and you are based in Chester..

Alf Jones Wrecsam, the attention to detail from Mr Jones was excellent. The shop where I bought my first bike. But I would guess that he isn't there anymore.
The Bike Factory Chester about 11 years ago. Built a road bike for me. Very helpful and knowledgeable people.

Which shop is yours?

I bought some pedals from a shop on Delamere Street many years ago, that seemed ok. As I lived in Garden Lane I liked to go local, unfortunately I went to what was a new shop then, on Foregate Street, The Edge, and the staff didn't want to know. So I bought two bikes from The Bike Factory.

HTH:

Alf Jones Wrecsam, the attention to detail from Mr Jones was excellent.

This is my local bike shop and I can safely say they are excellent. They are all great guys who work there and are very passionate about what they do.I wouldn't use anywhere else.
They like jam doughnuts and haribo. 😉

Another 100% thumbs-up for Alf Jones in Wrexham. Unfortunately Alf is no longer with us, but the shop has been run by his grandson Andy for years and years now. I've been a satisfied customer since 1994/5.

Good luck fella... 😉

Of The Edge and The Bike Factory I'll always go to one first and the other if I really really have to. How's that for fence-sitting?

. I've been a satisfied customer since 1994/5.

You can correct me if I'm wrong then, my first visit was to a shop on St George's Crescent, more or less where KFC is/was, then to where most of my money went, the shop in Charles Street.
And now by the looks of if it, down the road from my old school, on Rhosnesni Lane?

How've you been treated? have you been ripped off? I'd like to know

Always good service from Alfs (wrexham) in my memory, Chester wise I have bought from the Edge and they seemed good lads. Does the OP still work at the other Chester shop. In which case, when I have bought from there, he in particular was very helpful and easy to deal with, and it was appreciated.

I used to really like EEs shop, but then was badly bullshat on a couple of occasions. Politely and all, just gibberish and misinformation. Ironically the guy has moved on and seems to know his stuff these days. I'd go to any of em really, but it's a special journey for me, not enough hours in the day usually. My new local boys are doing alright.

Another vote for Alf Jones here. They must account for at least 50% of our disposable income between me and Mrs D. Always cheerful and happy to chat even if you're not buying.

I've bought bikes from The Edge, The Bike Factory and Alf Jones however this was all over 5 years ago.

The Edge- good service and very helpful in arranging test rides. Would be my first stop for an MTB.

Bike Factory have a nice big shop, good brands and probably the best clothing range. They used to be miserable gits with poor service but have improved a lot.

Only went to Alf Jones the once and that was fine but that may have been because I knew the guy who sold me the bike as I'd ridden with him.

Also don't forget Graham Weigh in Deeside. When I lived in Chester I always went there (they were Deeside Cycles then) for anything road bike related.

The Edge- good service and very helpful in arranging test rides. Would be my first stop for an MTB.

Bike Factory have a nice big shop, good brands and probably the best clothing range. They used to be miserable gits with poor service but have improved a lot.

That's exactly my experience also - dunno about TBF improving though 'cos I try not to go in there.

There is also a new bike shop opened in the old Aldford Glass premesis, on the industrial units in lightfoot street, turn at the light between the edge and Bike factory/specialized concept store, over the hump back bridge and turn left and then left its in front of you.

Don Simon the shop in Dealmere street wa sthe Edge and is now on the same road as the Bike factory.

I used to buy bike bits off the Older Alf Jones,back in the 70,s, now thats a long time ago.

Wasn't the edge on Northgate St?

Wasn't the edge on Northgate St?

Yes in the same building as Majestic Wine Warehouse.

So the bike shop that was on Delamere St wasn't the Edge, or was it? Did they have two outlets within 100 metres?

Another vote for Alf Jones'. Yes they have now moved o the new shop in Rhosnesni; been there about 18months (maybe more now).

Living in the Cotswold it definetly is not my local shop, but I was brought up in Llangollen and Alf's was our LBS, and often return to buy bits when I'm up there.

Used to work for Andy as a teenager in one of his other businesses; that was more than a few years ago!!

uponthedowns - Member

Wasn't the edge on Northgate St?

Yes in the same building as Majestic Wine Warehouse.

Posted 2 hours ago # Report-Post

Northgate st and Delamere st, is the junction of both roads. 😯

The Edge seem to have a limited range of parts in stock compared to the Bike Factory. Add to that the Bike Factory price match the web and it has become my first choice. I'm going to give sixtynine bikes a go for a set of Hope Hoops as I've hear good things.

I've just remembered why I stopped using the Edge. I went in for chamois cream and was told they don't stock it. Which was fair enought but then he continued to tell me chamois cream was just an Assos lead trend!

Northgate st and Delamere st, is the junction of both roads.

😆 sorry for this, but now it's bugging me,I'm talking about 10-11 years ago. The Edge is on Northgate St facing the Indian and newsagents (?)correct? The shop I'm thinking (dreaming) about is further down Delamere St facing the bus station (bus park area not the building) and definately not on the corner. The corner shop was the wine place, no? HELP!!!

Profile ammended. 🙂
All the shops have good and bad things going for them. Everything has. But it's good to know what certain places failings are to improve. I am/have been affiliated with all of the shops mentioned here so kind of a silly question but you've all been honest which is great. 69 cycles is the new shop in Chester. Small ish. But the owner is a top guy and one of my friends works there part time now. So he's got good stock and great knowledge.

Dont under-estimate the young lad in 69 though. He's spot on.

E.

The Edge to me always has staff in it that seem a little dis-interested.

Bike Factory & Specialized Concept store are both full of nice gear, bought a road bike form the Bike Factory.

Never been to the one in Wrexham.

Demon Tweaks is ok, is bound to have excellent mail order and parts stockage.

Don't forget Twelve50 in Frodsham, not that far from Chester and a proper good shop, had a bike form there too, nice range of gear.

Cheshire Oaks Cycles too, loads of bikes, not sure on the parts front though.

Saw Andy looking at the old KB premises in Gresford a few weeks back. Onwards and upwards?

That's a fair sized unit. How old are Google street view images as they have a sold sign on it!

don simon - Member

Northgate st and Delamere st, is the junction of both roads.

sorry for this, but now it's bugging me,I'm talking about 10-11 years ago. The Edge is on Northgate St facing the Indian and newsagents (?)correct? The shop I'm thinking (dreaming) about is further down Delamere St facing the bus station (bus park area not the building) and definately not on the corner. The corner shop was the wine place, no? HELP!!!

Posted 1 hour ago # Report-Post

The only other shop that sold bikes was action bikes who went bust opposite the old social services hq on northgate st,by the odeon cinema now closed as well,the wine shop and tthe edge chapel have now been destroyed for a new travelodge and mini tesco.

Just remembered it was claude crimes, they used to be in bridge st, and moved.

sorry for this, but now it's bugging me,I'm talking about 10-11 years ago. The Edge is on Northgate St facing the Indian and newsagents (?)correct? The shop I'm thinking (dreaming) about is further down Delamere St facing the bus station...

You're quite right. There was a lower-end Raleigh-type shop there. Right, now who remembers the 'Other Bike Factory' near Francs?

It's been empty for most of this year so streetview is from before then. I suspect from just after the asset disposal company moved in.

Alf's will be moving there. Just after Christmas no doubt. MASHHOOVVEEE!!! Set up, It'll be awesome.

Don Simon, wasnt it davies bros cycles a bit further down Delamere Street and the shop that was the edge and majestic used to be claud crimes and also sold prams. A good few years ago now.

The old KB premesis at gresford where due to knocked down for housing.

To sum up The Edge was in the old chapel sharing with Majestic wines,now knocked down, further down was Claude Crimes where Davis Bros cycles, who bought out Claude Crimes,(now knocked down as well) who had previously been in Bridge St, Davis Bros also had a shop in Cuppin St near Jessops, they then sold up and moved to Boughton,and opened the Bike Factory,and the Specialized concept store.

Then there was Action bikes in Northgate st,now gone.

The old KB premesis at gresford where due to knocked down for housing.

Lets hope it will have decent heating then 😀

Excellent location though,and a huge car park.

Wasn't going to say anything about the KB premises as I wasn't sure if one was allowed to talk about it yet but it seems the cat is out of the bag now. The problem is that Alf's already accounts for a fair chunk of my disposable income and the KB premises are only about 2-3 miles from my home. Oh dear!

Common knowledge from what i've seen anyway.

Lets hope it will have decent heating then

stever - Member

sorry for this, but now it's bugging me,I'm talking about 10-11 years ago. The Edge is on Northgate St facing the Indian and newsagents (?)correct? The shop I'm thinking (dreaming) about is further down Delamere St facing the bus station...

You're quite right. There was a lower-end Raleigh-type shop there. Right, now who remembers the 'Other Bike Factory' near Francs?

Thanks, I thought I was going more insane.
The Other Bike Factory was next to or very close the Francs, correct. If I remember with painted black window fraes and the door setback off the street. But this, of course, could be imagination.

Looks like Alf Jones is following me! Presently down the road from my old school and now a couple of hundred metres from our old house (Narrow Lane), how long before they come to Madrid???
The new site should be incredible as it used to be an M.A.N depot (or something for wagons). Great for a warehouse and internet based sales.

Claude Crimes I remember, mainly for prams.

Has it been mentioned, but wasn't there another bike shop in Frodsham St?

69Cycles in Hoole is very good - always seem to have the parts I want, unlike the other shops around and clearly knowledgable (friendly too). Plus they seem to stock just about every Hope product/part you could imagine.

Tend to find it hit or miss in the Bike Factory with the staff knowledge for MTB stuff.

how long before they come to Madrid??

Alfredo Jones? Has a certain ring to it. 😆

Dave Miller cycles the shop in Frodsham st,

Hola. Alfredo Jones, ***** speaking. Lol. Loving it.

I own some apartments overlooking the canal behind the edge, near harkers. So I often pop into the edge, it's always well stocked and they seem to be able to get test rides really easily organised.

I don't like the specialized shop at all, it's too clinical. The staff member I spoke to abbriviated everything rockhoppers were RH's hard rock's HR's and then he had his eppie and sworks. I don't think he had ever actually ridden a bike.

Looked at 69 bikes yesterday, the staff are great but the range of bikes seemed limited. I understand he's still building stock up and phasing out the 2010 ranges. His laptop hooked upto a big tv seemed nifty for showing you photos on... And his dad?? Had a really cool vintage jaguar.

Anyone remember the bike shop on garden lane, he only sold old old bikes he'd repaired and had great cycling stories. He was a man you would love to share a pint with.

The shop in frodsham street were rude to my girlfriend

Anyone remember the bike shop on garden lane, he only sold old old bikes he'd repaired and had great cycling stories. He was a man you would love to share a pint with.

That must be a while ago because I lived on Garden Lane for a few years and in the area for a few more and the only "bike" shop in Garden Lane was Roy's Bargain Shop! First port of call between Blacon and the pub!!! Often had bikes for sale there...

The bike shop on Garden lane was near the canal bridge end, and dont let us forget the shop in Hoole, with the really happy chap in it, now an off licence.

I didn't even know there was one there!

Coming down garden lane from the city centre the bike shop was past the river queen on the same side of the road. The guy used to wear a blue boiler suit and small round glasses, he was often standing in the doorway with a spanner in his hand, i bet the premises hadn't changed in years. Just like that chippy if you follow garden lane down past telfords towards sealand road.

The chippy on sealand road is the best, always fresh chips not refrys, and just opposite is a bmx track and an off road cycle path all tarmac to connahs quay,part of the national cycle network, links in with route 5.

Also the canal is a cycle path now, use the tow path, to Ellesmer port, to visit Cheshire oaks cycles,at cheshire oaks by the lexus garage, nice people in the bike shop, and its huuuuuuuuge, or route 5 and 56 go off the canal, follow the numerous signs.

Just like that chippy if you follow garden lane down past telfords towards sealand road.

Garden Lane doesn't go past Telfords!!

The chippy on Sealand Rd was good. Catflees46 are you talking about the chippy that was off Sealand Rd on a little back street? Good chip IIRC.

I'm a little late registering my views on this thread. However, here goes...

The Bike Factory/Specialized Concept Store: Excellent product range, if a little similar to The Edge (possibly a fault of the distributor rather than either bike shop). Great customer service, they've done a lot of work for me over the years. Perhaps, if I was being mean, I could say that their service is a bit on the expensive side. Although still cheaper than The Edge!

Alf Jones: Never been.

Dave Miller: Nice chap, limited product range, never really used for anything serious.

69 Cycles: Exactly what Chester needed! Since I discovered that they'd opened, I've had a frame built from scratch, Hope goodies fitted to another bike, forks serviced, etc. etc. etc. I honestly cannot fault any part of their service. Many of the members in the club I'm in have started usin 69's, most of whom are based/working/living between Warrington and Manchester. Nick (the owner) is brimming with knowledge and can't do enough for you or your bike. In my opinion they/he thoroughly deserve the Singletrack award for Best Bike Shop.
My vote has been cast in the poll, and I wish 69 Cycles all the best in taking the top spot!

That's my experience anyway. Hope it helps!

[i](Any evidence of your accusations ? edited until you do Mod)[/i]

[i](Moderator) Thread seems to be started by someone who works at Alf Jones and as such seems to be a kind of advertisement .[/i]

(Moderator) Thread seems to be started by someone who works at Alf Jones and as such seems to be a kind of advertisement .

I thought the thread was started by someone who worked in Chester.

When it started yes they (the poster) were in Chester. From all I have heard off a whole pile of locals (haven't visited it myself yet but tend to do most work myself) 69 Cycles has really stepped up the game in Chester by a large amount.

Admanmatt - bearded fellow

(Moderator) Thread seems to be started by someone who works at Alf Jones and as such seems to be a kind of advertisement .

Ellis Blackman come on down 😉

EDIT Sorry Russ got embroiled in other stuff 1/2 way through posting

(Moderator) Thread seems to be started by someone who works at Alf Jones and as such seems to be a kind of advertisement .

I say! The word WORKS is a bit strong.... 😆

YO!
Not an advertisement, just wanted to know peoples views. From having experience of all the shops talked about minus 69cycles i wanted to see everyone else's views. I'm not going to badmouth any shop as they all have plus' and minus'.
I've also learned loads from all and all are good so if i were advertising any shop/s then delete away.