Do you have a local independent bike shop?

Frank the tank

I have a very good one, Pro Bikes. Scott Gamble is the proprioter and I always endevour to support him and his business.

I'm of the mentality that I will purchase off of him rather than on line because I prefer to deal with people even IF it costs a bit more. Also while his shop is running it's good to be able to pop in and get advice/help from him. It's nice to have a "rattle" over a cuppa as well.

What is your attitude to "the independent" rather than on line or the Evans/Halfords chains type outlets?

Mr_Cellophane

Harris Cowell of Upminster. Run by father and son. So good you can never get booked in :-(

JC.152

we have many in different directions ere in staffordshire brian rourkes bout 15 miles away,swinnertons,bridgetown,parker international,henry burton

pneumatic

I just wonder how "independent" some of the local bike shops actually are. I never walk past a bike shop without having a keek at their produce and I've noticed that a lot of them seem to have exactly the same range of stock. Bontrager/Trek/MET mostly. I was told once by an LBS guy that Specialized, for example, won't sell through small shops, only their approved chains. I wouldn't be surprised if the supply chain is actually fairly rigid.

Are they really able to select the best gear to sell, or are they tied into franchise style selling through their suppliers?

Genuine query; I just don't know.

the ferry

....Mountain High Ferryhill....exactly want you want from a LBS. I think in the current climate this type of shop will do well.

jimycooper

baker street bikes, brighton,,, best bike shop in the world!!!!!!(i don't work there)

ChrisLS

...Bakers Bikes in Bishop's Stortford...the owner has run his shop for probably over 25 years...his knowledge is encyclopeadic...

bagpusscp

Two here in Derby,Mercians and Samways.Both are excellent.

Mettan

Yes - good mechanic there - built up my most recent Road bike for £45 - did an excellent job. Wouldn't neccesarily buy kit from there but for Bike builds/fitting headsets etc etc they're excellent.

biondino

Holdsworth, Lower Richmond Road. They don't have a vast number of bikes in stock but they always have some interesting ones, and a good mix of £300 hybrids and unusual racing steeds.

edhornby

interestingly I can tick all the categories....

I am about to buy a bike from Halfords Manchester Fort (a carerra Fury) so I will tell you what their service is like in a week or so

GBH cycles on Tib Street Manchester - Brilliant ! all about repairs and reusing bikes and has accessories, tools etc at good prices

Heaton Park cycles - my localest, in that it's literally at the end of my road about 50 yards from my front door - run by a guy who's not top on customer service but will suffice port in a storm

Mike Cookson cycles - mtb orientated but a good choice and will probably be a first point of call for clothing and stuff I can't get at GBH. friendly staff

Decathlon - open all hours, very useful for getting bits to keep commuting if you have a midweek mechanical. Cheap...

Evans - usual range, average service, a bit pricy

not been to Harry Hall yet

cakewalk

Birmingham City Cycles. Fantastic.

Lagavulin

Local Edinburgh Bike Co-op have started dealing in Wiliers but I'd still rather go out of my way upto Corbridge and deal with Mark at ActivCycles.
I've endured very indifferent service from EBC (some good, some very good and some utter tosh).

Have promised myself a trip upto M. Steels in Gosforth who are somewhat revered.

Cycleworld in Sunderland are supposed to be quite good. However, if I went in there right now I'd probably walk out with a Cervelo Soloist Team frameset so trying to avoid.

tonyw43

One at home and one at work.

Fachini's in Hartlepool (Home). Specialises mainly in mountain bikes, but can order anything I need for the road bike.

Skinnergate Cycles in Stockton (work), again mainly mountain bikes, but hold the full range of Raleigh road bikes, and have good mechanics.

Cressers

I can recommend City Cycles in Chichester, West Sussex.

graeme_s-2

Coventry Cycle Centre on Far Gosford Street in Coventry for me. It's walking distance from my house, I get excellent service in there and really value their professional advice.

Nuggs

I'm a fan of Southdown Bikes in Storrington.

nick hanson

Kendell cycles,in Castleford.Gaz owns the shop now,& worked there since school.
Top wheelbuilder & a good range of bikes & bits.

pedylan

nick hanson wrote:

Kendell cycles,in Castleford.Gaz owns the shop now,& worked there since school.
Top wheelbuilder & a good range of bikes & bits.

Another vote for Gary at Kendell Cysles in Casleford.

The Evans at the nearby Xscape did me a big favour when it opened - I asked about Campag rear mechs and they directed me to Kendell's, which I didn't know about.

Since then bought bike kit, had repairs, upgrades and clothing. Top man and great business.

Ruari

53-12 in Colchester gets my vote of confidence. The owner, Ed, has vast knowledge and patience with all matters and is always happy to arrange or organise kit, training etc. Paying a little more for sound advice and waiting a little longer for something you've discussed (to make sure it's what you really need) is far more satisfying than just having people sell you something you don't really need or want.

Kenjaja1

The Bike Shop, North Harrow.

As with all the best bike shops it is owned and run by people who ride, know about bikes and care about their customers. Big enough to carry a reasonable range of bikes & gear but small enough to be friendly. If you want something they don't have they will order and get it pretty quickly. If there is something they are unable to supply or do they will tell you.

careful

pneumatic said:

I was told once by an LBS guy that Specialized, for example, won't sell through small shops,

I don't think that can be right, my LBS is definately not part of a chain but he sells Specialised.

geoffnelder

What I like about the Bike Factory in Chester is their range and the fact that the staff are keen riders themselves. My original Dawes Super Galaxy came from their preceding shop 15 years ago and is still on their database even though the shop and office have reincarnated.

Dave Millars in Chester is much smaller but good for same day repairs and more city central for odd things.

Geoff

unclemalc

Fred Williams' in Wolverhampton.
Know what they are talking about, good mechanics, good for 'discount' for regulars and stock what they think is/are good.
As good with a family off the street as they are with serious racers.

geordiefreerider

jimycooper wrote:

baker street bikes, brighton,,, best bike shop in the world!!!!!!(i don't work there)

- yeah i used to live in eastbourne and used these guys a fe times - really friendly staff good service.

dave0992

browning and daughter on the london road in southend on sea, especialy if you are after an orbea

Dave Loasby

Barron cycles @ sturton by stow not far from lincoln. proper old school shop and ex frame builder/refinisher. (now run by Steve Barron)

Also luck enough to live close to Dave Kennedy for all rare and unusual kit.

beverick

Depends what you call local. The ones I tend to rely on are, in and around Leeds:
Drakes (Harehills Lane);
Woodrups (Kirkstall Road);
The Bike-Shop (Crossgates Road);
Cyclesense (Tadcaster).

However, the one I use the most for bits and bats as, ironically it tends to be the most convenient, is Stows in Slough.

Bob

eternal_headwind

No, not in my town. There is a halfords which is staffed by people whose knowledge varies enormously. I was once standing in a queue behind a man with a broken spoke. The Halfords staff member looked at it and declared a new wheel was needed...

There is a really good one near my work though. Cyclopedia on Crws road, Cardiff are great.

JesseD

Eternal_headwind wrote:

No, not in my town. There is a halfords which is staffed by people whose knowledge varies enormously. I was once standing in a queue behind a man with a broken spoke. The Halfords staff member looked at it and declared a new wheel was needed...

There is a really good one near my work though. Cyclopedia on Crws road, Cardiff are great.

Another vote for Cyclopedia, the first shop they opened was opposite my flat on Dalton Street in Cathays. When they moved to Crwys Road they used to stock all sorts of exotica, last time I went in though they looked as if they had started to just cater for the masses and only stocked Giant, then again it's what pays the bills. I must admit their knowledge is great though and they all ride!

Living in Bristol there is 1 I would recommend. it's Strada Cycles in Southville, owned and run by Mike, they stock all exotica, such as Look, Colnago, Pinarello, Cervelo, Kuota, FastForward, Zipp, Corima the list goes on, they also do their own range of fixed wheel bikes too! they are very knowledgable and make a great post ride cup of tea.

nicktheluddite

Bristol Bike Workshop on Colston Street & Bike on Queens Road.