Good shops, south east

s1mon

Hi,

Can anyone recommened some good honest shops around south and south east or Surrey and Hampshire. I'm in Surrey and don't mind an hours drive to a good shop. I still can't decide what bike to buy so need to go looking again at the weekend. Went to one at the weekend (a big name) all I could test ride was in the carpark :? , thats no good how can I tell if I like a bike riding around a car park

Thanks

Simon.

Mike59

I can recommend Beyond at Cranleigh. They are primarily MTB, but have a good selection of road bikes. They also know what they're doing

Switchback in Knaphill near Woking

What sort/make of bike are you looking for?

s1mon

Thanks Mike59,

I did look at Beyond's website a while back but couldn't really find anything listed on there bike wise. I shall have a look over there the weekend.

I'm not really looking for any specific make, although I am intersted in Cannondale Synapse, Giant SCR/TCR or anything along the lines of a compact ?

Simon.

PostieJohn

s1mon wrote:

Hi,

Went to one at the weekend (a big name) all I could test ride was in the carpark :? , thats no good how can I tell if I like a bike riding around a car park

Thanks

Simon.

That'll be Evans at Gatwick, then.

s1mon

Yep I'm not the only one then thats only aloud round the carpark :?

I went to another one of there stores and was aloud to ride off round the town, which was much better as I could actually tell if I liked the bike. You don't drive a new car round the forcourt for a test drive do you

Simon.

bilsea159

A car park Wow, when I bought my bike from halfords all I had the privilige of doing was riding round the shop

tomgth

Cycles Dauphin - top of Boxhill just outside Dorking.

http://www.cyclesdauphin.com/cycles_dauphin.htm

Nuggs

Big shout for Ingear in Uckfield. They only sell road bikes (no mucky stuff) and are a seriously helpful and knowledgeable bunch.

http://www.in-gearonline.co.uk

s1mon

Thanks tomgth & Nuggs.

I was going to goto In-gear the other day but they were shut I think, well no answer on the phone but it was over the bank holiday.

Simon.

Bianchi Boy

If you want to go the extra miles I can recommend Primera sport in Bournemouth. It's about a 70 miles round trip for me, but easily the best for road bikes.

Also try Rock'n'Road in Southampton. They have an unusual selection of very high quality machines, very friendly, and an excellent bike fitting service.

saif

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/ , would recommend this shop in Croydon. Very friendly staff and good range of products available.

s1mon

Thanks Bianchi Boy & saif

hopefully got Friday off work so I can get to a few of these shops

Simon.

hodsgod

I went to a shop in Norfolk (fat birds don't fly) I know it is more than an hour, but they were great. They let me take a couple of bikes ourt on the road, I had one for an hour! The service was so good I bought a bike (Bottecchia) there.

PostieJohn

s1mon wrote:

Yep I'm not the only one then thats only aloud round the carpark :?

I went to another one of there stores and was aloud to ride off round the town, which was much better as I could actually tell if I liked the bike. You don't drive a new car round the forcourt for a test drive do you

Simon.

Wifey wanted a Contessa, and as she was circling the carpark, it was obvious her legs couldn't make the full circle.
This didn't stop the member of staff (there to make sure she didn't stray onto the pavement ), saying 'it looks good to me, do you want it'.

Time to leave.

huwy

We use Owen cycles in Petersfield nothing is too much trouble from buying some rollerblades for my daughter to my first roadbike...Owen the owner is a roadie and ex cyclocross champm good luck.

http://www.owenscycles.co.uk/



They only stock Merida & Scott

Mike59

Agree about Owens in Petersfield. Great service.

I bought a Scott Spark from them last year.

daniel_b

Probably too late for you, as I gather your off today trawling bike shops - nice day for it :roll:

I can heartily recommend Banjo Cycles in Newbury - probably less than an hour for you.

Dan

daver1

Sigma Sport (http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/app/web/homepage.aspx) in Hampton Wick (Kingston) are great if you are looking for something high end. They are a triathlon shop but have a better range of bikes and more knowledge than most bike shops.

disco2006

Best around for road must be www.primera-sport.co.uk or if you live closer to London try Condor, cool shop

Clever Pun

saif wrote:

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/ , would recommend this shop in Croydon. Very friendly staff and good range of products available.

seconded, very helpful and knowledgable, good range of pretty bikes & campag gear