What is the best bike shop in London

trafficdodger · May 2007

I have dealt with a couple of the big chains recently and find the service and the knowledge of the staff to be really awful.

I am fairly new to cycling but alarm bells were ringing in my head when a rep told me there was no real difference between Shimano 105 and Ultegra group sets and that the Cannondale Six13 he was tring to sell me was a Ltd 1 of which only 30/40 were made. It was in fact a Ltd 2 of which 400 were made and carry the... you guessed it.. 105 groupo!. Hmmm. Do we have to be experts in cycling to get whats best for us. Is there ayone we can trust? [:(]

peejay78 · May 2007

i guess there's always condor.

winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv

trafficdodger · May 2007

I am very tempted to go to them. Surely that is not it?!

Totalnewbie · May 2007

I really like Brixton Cycles, they seem to know what they are talking about and are friendly too. And they don't make me feel stupid.

peejay78 · May 2007

london fields, brick lane bikes - both good.

i think a person's perception of a "good bike shop" depends on a weird formula which takes into account how much you know already, divided by how much they know, times how friendly they are, squared with how accomodating they can be.

winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv

JWSurrey · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by peejay78

i guess there's always condor.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Another Condor fan here.
Each person has their speciality. I personally find Ronan really helpful.
It can be manically busy though - victims of their popularity.

A mate bought his fixie from Brixton and rates them too.

Sigma Sport in Kingston-upon-Thames may be a bit far out for you - unless you fit it in to a few circuits of Richmond Park - Beware the London Dynamo chain gangs on Saturday morning!

sylvanus · May 2007

Condor for clothing and components
Cyclefit for new bike, fitting and shoes
Mosquito for alternative (cool frames)
Sigma Sport if you're close to Hampton Wick

overmars · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by trafficdodger

Is there ayone we can trust? [:(]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

One of the bike shops listed here gave me my worse repair job ever. Then they tried the "blind him with science" bit and tried to sell me something else (they weere genuinely confused when I said 'No').
In hindsight they did me a favour because I'll now do my own repairs/upgrades and I'm (slowly!) learning to do more.

It's best to know what you want. Then you can go anywhere.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

IsledeBlanc · May 2007

Condor - great range of clothing and kit. bought a bike from there once, fitting / sizing advice was adequate but not great.
Mosquito - had some complex servicing done here to high-end bling road bike, very pleased. also sent an eBay bargain bike here to be stripped, resprayed and refurbed, they did a fantastic job.

bill poster · May 2007

Maybe Brixton and Condor have more experience, but Brick lane are good and they will beat any price on parts

domtyler · May 2007

If you are in East London then Ciclos Uno is worth checking out in Hainault, they are mainly focussed on TT, Triathlon and/or Road racing kit but seem to be quite accomodating to casual cyclists too.

Edit: Brick Lane bikes are also very good for repairs and fixies, I bought my fixie from here last year.
CycleSurgery are not too bad either, much better than Evans (apart from Evans in Canary Wharf where the standard of assistants is much better (you owe me a pint Patrick!)).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Porridge not Petrol
________
CALIFORNIA MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

giant_man · May 2007

Ciclos Uno are very good. Trevor is a top bloke and Ewan is equally professional. Recommended!

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

giant_man · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by overmars

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by trafficdodger

Is there ayone we can trust? [:(]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

One of the bike shops listed here gave me my worse repair job ever. Then they tried the "blind him with science" bit and tried to sell me something else (they weere genuinely confused when I said 'No').
In hindsight they did me a favour because I'll now do my own repairs/upgrades and I'm (slowly!) learning to do more.

It's best to know what you want. Then you can go anywhere.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"><center></center>
Hey come on - name and shame! [:D]

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.

bill poster · May 2007

Might try Cyclesurgery today in Aldgate(can't get spokes for Zondas easily)

Nilscp · May 2007

Had good experiences with Condor and GB cycles (Croydon though).

xio · May 2007

You had a good experience in Croyon? - that alone is worth noting.

sylvanus · May 2007

Your best experience will always be Cyclefit in Covent Garden - they are outstanding but they'll never be the cheapest list price.

loobster · May 2007

How about On Your Bike in London Bridge?

Check my bands page:

www.myspace.com/arktorusrann

Updates soon.

Clip me in · May 2007

Condor's probably the best in town.
But locally I highly recommend 2 wheels good in Crouch End and Stoke Newington. Jon and Dean are both excellent, knowledgable without being patronising, friendly. Great shop all round

http://www.twowheelsgood.co.uk/

Wearing lycra will not make you go faster.

trafficdodger · May 2007

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I have loads of leads and there should be no excuse for my hard earned cash being mispent! [:D]

peejay78 · May 2007

mosquito are especially good if you want a load of attitude from an asymettrically-mulleted, bitter, cooler-than-thou, pergoretti-owning bikeserf.

oily sailor · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by peejay78

mosquito are especially good if you want a load of attitude from an asymettrically-mulleted, bitter, cooler-than-thou, pergoretti-owning bikeserf.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

B*llocks, Mosquito are tremendous. How come you're intimidated?

northpole · May 2007

Condor get my vote from experience. They have the bike business sussed on many levels - as others have already stated. Cyclefit certainly have an appeal for their comprehensive bike fitting service and that range of lovely bikes they keep - unfortunately outside my price range.

Marcus in Cycle Surgery near Liverpool Street station has excellent road bike knowledge.

Peter

peejay78 · May 2007

not intimidated - just could do without the attitude - the amount of which depends on what you look like and what bike you have. they sold me a nice water bottle once.

it's the cycling equivalent of an esoteric record shop. which can be a good or a bad thing.

winter: http://tinyurl.com/2xkbbs
summer: http://tinyurl.com/2hsagv

tenbar · May 2007

Does anyone remember Paulo Garbini Cycles? I think it was in Brewer Street in the centre of London, near Picadilly. I bought a bike there (Raleigh Clubman) back in 1983 and joined their cycling club (Soho Cycling Club). Paulo ran the shop. He was an Italian ex racing cyclist who really new his stuff and when he joined you on the club rides the riding tips he passed down were priceless. I moved back uo North in 1986 and never kept in touch. Does anyone know if the club's still going or not?

Cathryn · May 2007

I bought my bike a couple of years ago at Chamberlaines in Kentish Town. I don't know enough about bikes to know if technical advice was spot on, but their service was excellent and if I was still in London, I'd go back!

dave35 · May 2007

Ciclos Uno- well worth the trip.Not the biggest shop in the world but you'll get all the advice/help you'll need, and i'm not just saying that 'cos i race for them.
Beware though they are closed on wednesdays and by appointment only on monday.

alan_sherman · May 2007

Depends where you are and what you want doesn't it?

I'm south west and Sigma in kingston have a great stock of kit - I tired on loads of shoes there and bought some northwaves.

Sutton which is more directly South has Pearson's which is a good place for road cyclists, family run and the guys still race. I bought a bike from them and was pleased with the service offered.

Recently I went to GB cycles in Croyden to look at and get an idea of size for Planet X Stealth - very handy that these guys are Planet X dealers. I'll buy it from there as I thought they seemed pretty alright guys - took time to try me on a couple of sizes on a turbo.

I live in Putney and Holdsworth would get any repairs I needed doing. Wandsworth Evans is handy as they are open late if you need spares (so that is 'good' for that purpose).

So it seems I spread my spending power around a bit depending on what I am after.

Cyclist, public transport passenger, pedestrian, driver, motorcyclist.
I get on OK with myself, so why can't we all get on with each other?

zimzum42 · May 2007

Go to the shop on All Saint's road in Notting Hill.

Seriously old-skool, and they know their stuff too!

[:D] www.addiscombe.org [8D] [8D] www.darhotwire.com [8D] [8D] www.muzikmedia.com [:D]
My Bikes My Commute

somekindofwizard · May 2007

Apex cycles in Clapham have always been very good whenever i have had need for some expert advice.

overmars · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by giant man

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by overmars

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by trafficdodger

Is there ayone we can trust? [:(]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

One of the bike shops listed here gave me my worse repair job ever. Then they tried the "blind him with science" bit and tried to sell me something else (they weere genuinely confused when I said 'No').
In hindsight they did me a favour because I'll now do my own repairs/upgrades and I'm (slowly!) learning to do more.

It's best to know what you want. Then you can go anywhere.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"><center></center>
Hey come on - name and shame! [:D]

SIZE IS EVERYTHING! or at least that's what my LBS tells me.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Brixton cycles.

________________________
The obstacle is the path

What is the best bike shop in London

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