Why DO you like your bike shop?

TheBoyBilly

Following on from the thread about not liking your LBS, what is it about your bike shop that keeps you going back? I lost my shop in Shoreham-by-Sea due to the competition from the Internet and a big new Halfords. The bloke was Old School and a diamond but set in his ways (no bad thing really). Certainly knew his stuff. So now I go to the Bike Store in Worthing if I need something Spesh-specific, or QuestAdventure (also in Worthing) for odds n' ends and a chat over a coffee. Nice, knowledgeable people who don't push for a sale.

feel

I like mine because they are dead friendly, helpful and will give you good advice without pressure to buy. ( They are Cyclops, Syston, Leicestershire)

Positron

Because their advise, whether on any aspect of bike'n'bits or even the best Rusholme take-aways is sound. This is worth far, far more than any modest saving I might get over the internet. But they give me 10% off bits for CTC membership anyway.

p.

popette

Positron wrote:

Because their advise, whether on any aspect of bike'n'bits or even the best Rusholme take-aways is sound. This is worth far, far more than any modest saving I might get over the internet. But they give me 10% off bits for CTC membership anyway.

p.

hi Positron,
Do you got to Bike Shak?
I think they're great in there - all really enthusiastic and helpful. They always ask how I'm getting on with training and we have a bit of a chat.
By the way, have you tried East Z East for curry - it's not rusholme but is by the IBIS hotel in the middle of Manchester. It's voted Manchester's best restaurant and it's easy to see why IMO - really, really good curry; enormous naan breads; good service; all set within a really lovely restaurant (I always get the feeling that it's spotlessly clean).
See you on the school run

APIII

I nipped into mine at the weekend to get some longer brake bolts for my new build. They gave them to me for free.
Other than that, it's just the good, honest advice that I appreciate.

Clever Pun

very nice guys,
they sell campag stuff

PostieJohn

TheBoyBilly wrote:

Following on from the thread about not liking your LBS, what is it about your bike shop that keeps you going back? I lost my shop in Shoreham-by-Sea due to the competition from the Internet and a big new Halfords. The bloke was Old School and a diamond but set in his ways (no bad thing really). Certainly knew his stuff. So now I go to the Bike Store in Worthing if I need something Spesh-specific, or QuestAdventure (also in Worthing) for odds n' ends and a chat over a coffee. Nice, knowledgeable people who don't push for a sale.

I have never had any probs with the guy from The Bike Store, when I've popped in.

4kicks

Cos one of the girls who works there is a hottie

DavidBelcher

One bike shop that has well and truly dive-bombed in my esteem as of yesterday - the one I rang to ask if they planned to stock Stronglight CT2 chainrings to fit Campag chainsets. Reply in the negative contained phrases such as "I don't like Campag", "their stuff's too complicated" and ordering said rings in would be "too much trouble". Won't be using them again! Shan't name & shame the shop here and now, but if any Campag users in the North of England want its identity for the purposes of giving it a wide berth, drop me a PM. The odd thing is, said shop has supplied me with Campag kit and compatible tools in the past! :?

David

gumball3000

I "LOVE" (Not in a Homo way) my mechanic!

I actually followed him from his former place of work to Cliff Pratt Cycles in Hull. Anyone that can put up with the level of crap that I throw at him and still treat me like a pro is a hero in my book.

My bikes are always set up perfectly, even though I am a really anal git when it comes to my kit being right.

My cross bike that Paul built the other day was perfect, first time out. Dropping it in tomorrow for the post first weekend tune up...

He also did a spot on job of my new custom Shimano shoes...

The man is a genius. Unfortunately he has a bad arse and the workshop sometimes smells.... Can't win them all!

redvee

Like mine cause it is across the road from my flat but 100 yds down the road. Good bloke in the form of the biker. Another one in Bristol that does the little odds 'n' sods none of the others do. Would a bike shop stock half links? This one took one off a chain for me.

afctumike

I bought my bike from Epic Cycles in Tenbury Wells. A superb set up, very friendly and always time to chat and answer questions from a novice like me. When I was looking to buy a bike, and move up from a basic £150 MTB, Chris Lines at Epic took the effort to answer all my many emails and detailed the choices and options available. Never felt pressured to spend more than I wanted to and, when I decided on the Orbea Elgeta (with solid fork option), it was ordered specially and set up superbly. All that plus they do excellent coffee! I recommend you call in if you're in the area.

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/

Having said that Tenbury Wells is about an hour's drive from West Bromwich so I need something a little closer for those little jobs and to pick up some simple bits and pieces. So I've discovered Fred Williams in the centre of British road cycling history - Wolverhampton. Just a twenty minute cycle ride away and the Midland Metro (a tramway) goes close to them and me for when I need to leave the bike with them. Again they are very helpful and quick service. Haven't seen any coffee on the brew though

http://www.fredwilliamscycles.co.uk/FWC/index3.html

So between them I'm sorted.

andyfromletchworth

Not local but i used kendall cycles in castleford the otherday and they were two pretty cool guys.

On a more general note i love local bike shops because they alway have an unfeasibly large number of bikes in a tiny shop.

They have lots of 'stuff' stored behind the counter which may only be available to customers of long standing.

Often they are owned by bike nuts who have filled them with absolute top of the range bikes, which we all know, including them, they will only sell at a massive discount, but they stocked em so they can look longingly at them and stroke occasionally.

Andy

fossyant

I don't really have a need for one these days - my local one closed years ago - was linked to the cycling club, but didn't get a discount.... I'm a good mechanic myself and order stuff off the net usually, but the best LBS near me (12 miles) is Rick Green's in Handforth.... (Cheshire). He builds some fab wheels. Raced with Paul (he runs the shop) for years - well respected place, not massive stock, but can get it - prices were fine - but don't have the time to travel out there (usually did it on the bike anyway).

I don't like these 'flash' stores as it's so impersonal - no way could you bring your pride and joy in store...be it better than the stuff in shop.... and some of them are so overpriced......

dialforclown

Can't beat my local bike shop. Always friendly, willing to give advice, good prices, a big thumbs up for BikeLab in Poole.

synchronicity

Because I'm allowed behind the counter to work out the prices of the stuff I'm buying. Hell, sometimes they even hand me the keys and I help myself to the goodies in the cabinets! Beat that!! LOL... :twisted:

They always respect my opinion. They give me repeated, 10, 20, or sometimes 30% discounts -without asking. But having said that, I'm not exactly a normal customer... I've bought 5 complete bikes there not to mention a LOAD of other spare parts & equipment.

They do joke around a lot though... I've seen a few customers get a bit peeved that they weren't serious enough.

Because they don't charge £40 to install a BB. That's daylight robbery... :roll: They'd probably charge me 40p, if that.

Positron

popette wrote:

Positron wrote:

Because their advise, whether on any aspect of bike'n'bits or even the best Rusholme take-aways is sound. This is worth far, far more than any modest saving I might get over the internet. But they give me 10% off bits for CTC membership anyway.

p.

hi Positron,
Do you got to Bike Shak?
I think they're great in there - all really enthusiastic and helpful. They always ask how I'm getting on with training and we have a bit of a chat.
By the way, have you tried East Z East for curry - it's not rusholme but is by the IBIS hotel in the middle of Manchester. It's voted Manchester's best restaurant and it's easy to see why IMO - really, really good curry; enormous naan breads; good service; all set within a really lovely restaurant (I always get the feeling that it's spotlessly clean).
See you on the school run

Hi p, actually I consider my "local" to be The Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme as it near('ish) to work so ends up being the one I go to for most things. But I do like the Bike Shak - it's just that the last time I was in there I came out with an extra two pink bells (as well as the brake cable I needed) - it must have been the company I had...

(The curries are better in Birmingham......oh dear that could start a debate as bad as the Campag/Shimano one........)

See ya, p.

PS. dilli is excellent.

popette

Positron wrote:

popette wrote:

Positron wrote:

Because their advise, whether on any aspect of bike'n'bits or even the best Rusholme take-aways is sound. This is worth far, far more than any modest saving I might get over the internet. But they give me 10% off bits for CTC membership anyway.

p.

hi Positron,
Do you got to Bike Shak?
I think they're great in there - all really enthusiastic and helpful. They always ask how I'm getting on with training and we have a bit of a chat.
By the way, have you tried East Z East for curry - it's not rusholme but is by the IBIS hotel in the middle of Manchester. It's voted Manchester's best restaurant and it's easy to see why IMO - really, really good curry; enormous naan breads; good service; all set within a really lovely restaurant (I always get the feeling that it's spotlessly clean).
See you on the school run

Hi p, actually I consider my "local" to be The Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme as it near('ish) to work so ends up being the one I go to for most things. But I do like the Bike Shak - it's just that the last time I was in there I came out with an extra two pink bells (as well as the brake cable I needed) - it must have been the company I had...

(The curries are better in Birmingham......oh dear that could start a debate as bad as the Campag/Shimano one........)

See ya, p.

PS. dilli is excellent.

I went to uni in Birmingham but didn't like curry at the time! What a flippin waste that was. Everytime I went out for curry, people suggested I tried Chicken Tikka Massala, which is why I got nowhere as I still don't like it.
Have a good weekend

Mog Uk

fossyant wrote:

Rick Green's in Handforth.... (Cheshire). He builds some fab wheels. Raced with Paul (he runs the shop) for years - well respected place, not massive stock, but can get it - prices were fine -

Yes, good blokes Rick & Paul.
Paul is also a very good wheelbuilder. I bought my 07 Rockhopper from him complete with some handbuilt Mavic rims, they've been totally bullet proof. I don't go in there as much as I should really.... :oops:

popette

I used to live in handforth and didn't even realise there was a bike shop. I wasn't cycling then so wasn't really looking out for a shop though. If only I'd noticed the shop and gone and bought a bike 10 years ago.

david2

I don't like mine - any of them! I have tried and tried to support local bike shops but have eventually given up just in the last few weeks.

They never seem to have what I want or anything new and interesting to see. Because they haven't got what I want they always try and sell me an alternative that I don't want. Sometimes they'll, reluctantly, offer to get what I want in for me, but it will take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks.

What's the point, I can get anything off the web, usually in a couple of days, if its not exactly what I want I send it back.

awalis

Cycle Revolution in Ipswich.

Excellent service and customer support.
I bought a specialized tricross from them and had several problems with it that could not be fixed.
They were very good in organising a replacement from specialized and sorting out an upgrade to a Roubaix.
Darren is the boss of a helpful and honest team.

Sean.

allen

Doe s anyone have any prefered shops around halifax/brighouse ?

DavidBelcher

allen wrote:

Doe s anyone have any prefered shops around halifax/brighouse ?

When I worked in Halifax a couple of years back, I always found Pedalsport on King Cross Road to be really helpful, especially when it came to workshop stuff.

David

jough

"two pretty cool guys"

I also use the two pretty cool guys at Kendal cycles alot and find them most pleasing.

nick hanson

(The curries are better in Birmingham......oh dear that could start a debate as bad as the Campag/Shimano one........)

See ya, p.

PS. dilli is excellent.[/quote]
My brother lives in the Midlands (near Wolverhampton) & the curries are superb,& that's saying something when I live within an half hours drive of bradistan!

graemecook

S. Wilson Cycles in Stirling Is my local bike shop and I'm really impressed by all the staff.
Nice guys, don't rip me off, know their stuff inside out, don't try to sell me things that i don't need, take the mick when i'm asking a stupid question,

The owner got me to bring my bike in during the week because he thought i didn't have it set up just right. When I took it in he spent half an hour talking to me about the fine points of seat height and handlebar height, about how I'd set up the brakes etc. I offerred to pay him but he wouldn't take anything. It's riding alot better since his tweaking with it.

Can't recommend the place enough

jibi

Because the son of the (once) great Bill Nickson runs it, and he's a mate, both of them.

You know what I mean, don't yiou???

george