The good bike shop list

DonDaddyD
DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
edited June 2009 in Commuting chat
As regular commuters/cyclists we often find ourselves making an impromptu visit into a bike shop. This could be for an immediate repair to get us home, or simply borrowing a pump, or as many of us do a mere browse at the shinny stuff that leads to the purchase of an upgrade. Many of us have been there and many of us have been in need of advice or help.

Our need for top quality and helpful service from a bike shop goes beyond the purchase of a new bike. We ride our bikes everyday and therefore our bikes need to be maintained, serviced and at the very least looked after. Parts need to be replaced, things tightened and oiled. A good bike store could have regular and loyal customers for decades. Therefore from our bike shops we need a trustworthy knowledgeable person who will give us advice not because they need a sale but because they value our long-term custom.

I’m happy to give my money to a bike shop; all I ask for is good trustworthy customer service at a reasonable price.

I’m going to provide a list of bike stores where I have found their service exemplary. I will list the name of the shop, the area they are located and where I can I will add the shops web-address. Please feel free to contribute to this list.

I’m making my judgment on the quality of service and customer service received, the accuracy of the advice given and most importantly the lasting feeling of ‘would I go back again?’ and 'Would I feel comfortable given them over £1000 for a bike'.
Food Chain number = 4

A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
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Comments

  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    edited February 2009
    The Good bike shop list

    Psubliminal
    Balham, London

    Cyclopolis
    Balham, London

    Halfords
    Balham, London

    McConvey's
    Belfast.

    Strada Cycles
    Bristol.

    Geoffrey Butler Cycles
    Croydon, Surrey

    Sidwell Cycles
    Exeter

    The Bike Shed
    Exeter, Crediton and Barnstaple.

    Herne Hill Cycles
    Herne Hill, London

    Wiggle
    Internet based bike shop

    Cycle Clothing UK
    Internet based bike shop - sells clothing.

    Sigma Sport
    Kingston upon Thames, London

    Condor Cycles
    London
    DeVer Cycles
    Norbury, London

    Certini/Spesh Concept Store
    Saltash

    Pearson
    Sutton, Surrey
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    edited February 2009
    Editted
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • ExeterSimon
    ExeterSimon Posts: 830
    I'm not sure how this helps.

    Is it based on your personal experiences? There will be people out there who have no problems with you bad selections while have experienced bad visits to your good selections.

    If you don't like a bike shop...just don't give them your business. Bad mouthing someone's business online based on YOUR experience doesn't really help, especially during current times.

    If everyone had a bad experience in your bad shops do you seriously think they'd still be in business?
    Whyte 905 (2009)
    Trek 1.5 (2009)
    Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp (2007)
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    edited February 2009
    ExeterSimon wrote:
    I'm not sure how this helps.

    Is it based on your personal experiences? There will be people out there who have no problems with you bad selections while have experienced bad visits to your good selections.

    If you don't like a bike shop...just don't give them your business. Bad mouthing someone's business online based on YOUR experience doesn't really help, especially during current times.

    If everyone had a bad experience in your bad shops do you seriously think they'd still be in business?

    Its not uncommon for people to express their views on the service they've received. For example people judge and critique restaurants. It's those reviews that could end their business, help increase their business and subsequently keeps them competitive.

    But I take your point so I shall change it to list only the bikes shops that have provided a exemplary service.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • ExeterSimon
    ExeterSimon Posts: 830
    But I see your point so I shall change it to list only the bikes shops that have provided a exemplary service.

    Now I'm willing to contribute!

    The Bike Shed - Exeter, Crediton and Barnstaple.
    Certini/Spesh Concept Store - Saltash
    Sidwell Cycles - Exeter

    Excellent customer service, always a great deal to be had, friendly knowledgable staff.

    All round top notch experience each and every time.
    Whyte 905 (2009)
    Trek 1.5 (2009)
    Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp (2007)
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Perhaps controversial but can I add Halfords Balham to the list? Took my old bike in with a wobbly headset on Saturday, the guy checked it out whilst I waited, and worked out that it was missing a shim at the bottom (due to old forks going on new bike to replace fork with integrated shim therefore taking shim with them and leaving old bike with no shim when I put old forks back on...). He opened up a new headset to provide and install the missing part, and then gave me the rest for spares. Price for all of that? £10. When I checked the headset box later I saw that the RRP for the part alone was £25!

    AND I saw Sarah Beeney in there...
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    The Good bike shop list

    DeVer Cycles
    Norbury

    Brixton Cycles
    Brixton

    Herne Hil Cycles
    Herne Hill

    Psubliminal
    Balham

    Cyclopolis
    Balham

    Geoffrey Butler Cycles
    Croydon

    Wiggle
    Internet based bike shop

    Cycle Clothing UK
    Internet based bike shop - sells clothing.

    The Bike Shed
    Exeter, Crediton and Barnstaple.

    Certini/Spesh Concept Store
    Saltash

    Sidwell Cycles
    Exeter

    I'd add:

    Pearson's

    Sigma Sport

    Condor
  • trisomy21
    trisomy21 Posts: 14
    McConvey's in Belfast.

    http://www.mcconveycycles.com/store/
  • Sea_Green_Incorruptible
    Sea_Green_Incorruptible Posts: 431
    Strada Cycles in Bristol.

    http://www.stradacycles.co.uk/
  • ExeterSimon
    ExeterSimon Posts: 830
    AND I saw Sarah Beeney in there...

    In your broken headset??!?!?
    Whyte 905 (2009)
    Trek 1.5 (2009)
    Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp (2007)
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Updated and in Alphabetical order of location.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • cullen_bay
    cullen_bay Posts: 256
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    The Good bike shop list

    Psubliminal
    Balham, London

    Cyclopolis
    Balham, London

    Halfords
    Balham, London

    McConvey's
    Belfast.

    Strada Cycles
    Bristol.

    Geoffrey Butler Cycles
    Croydon, Surrey

    Sidwell Cycles
    Exeter

    The Bike Shed
    Exeter, Crediton and Barnstaple.

    Herne Hill Cycles
    Herne Hill, London

    Wiggle
    Internet based bike shop

    Cycle Clothing UK
    Internet based bike shop - sells clothing.

    Sigma Sport
    Kingston upon Thames, London

    Condor Cycles
    London
    DeVer Cycles
    Norbury, London

    Certini/Spesh Concept Store
    Saltash

    Pearson
    Sutton, Surrey

    il add:

    Squarewheels
    Strathpeffer (scotland)
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Epic Cycles, herefordshire.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Massimo
    Massimo Posts: 318
    Birmingham City Cycles
    Crash 'n Burn, Peel 'n Chew
    FCN: 2
  • hondafanatic
    hondafanatic Posts: 213
    The Edge

    Lancaster - http://www.theedgecycleworks.com/

    Top Chaps
    <insert witty comment here>

    Also, I have calculated my FCN as 12...although I have no idea what that actually means.
  • Christophe3967
    Christophe3967 Posts: 1,200
    In London

    Moquito Bikes - Essex Road
    On Your Bike - Tooley Street
    Cycledelik - mobile repairs and servicing
    Prologue - East Sheen
    Bike1
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35118936@N07/3258551288/
    Bike 2
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35118936@N ... otostream/
    New Bike
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/35118936@N07/3479300346/
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    Milton Keynes -> Shenley Curch End: Chainey's Cycles, under new management since last September, good friendly place, recommended. Due for refurb later this year if all goes to plan apparently.

    Phil Corley's shop at Stacey Bushes is good but this is more the premium end of the market, worth a leer at the cycle p0rn in there though from time to time.

    And I'd have to include Evan's Cycles in the XScape Building - the staff are helpful and know their stock if nothing else, and once gave me a bag of Shimano chain pins so can't be all bad.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    John's Bikes in Bath (best in Bath and Bristol IMHO)
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    Dave's Cycles in Walsall Wood and Bridgtown Cycles in er Bridgtown.

    Also Cannock Halfords is pretty good if you speak to Stuart.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • DancesWithSheep
    DancesWithSheep Posts: 51
    Cyclecare, High Wycombe

    Tidy shop, good service lots of bike pr0n to boot.
    As an internet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or cycling helmets approaches one
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Walton street cycles in oxford, good for brompton stuff. Excellent with hub gears etc. generally very knowledgable.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • matt581
    matt581 Posts: 219
    Zero G in Bedminster , Bristol :)
  • ednino
    ednino Posts: 684
    Climb on Bikes - Hereford
  • Lysander
    Lysander Posts: 349
    AW Cycles in Caversham are a good shop. Just bought a King 3 from them with full Record. Great customer service.
    Sigma Sport on the other hand are dreadful! They simply refuse to honour the warranty on the products they sell.
  • landrew
    landrew Posts: 69
    ednino wrote:
    Climb on Bikes - Hereford
    +1
    Andy
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    edited February 2009
    Lysander wrote:
    Sigma Sport on the other hand are dreadful! They simply refuse to honour the warranty on the products they sell.

    You had a bad experience with them. According to this post by you, they offered you a selection of remedies, including a full refund.

    In this subsequent post you said "I only complained about Sigma until I got what I was owed". It's not clear what you thought you were owed, but it is clear from this post that you thought you'd had it.

    Every post you've made here since then has brought in a reference to how bad you think Sigma Sport is.

    Change the record.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Christophe3967 wrote:
    Prologue - East Sheen

    I ride by every evening. Can't help being distracted for a brief moment. Disc wheel in window. Must. Have. :P
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    cjcp wrote:
    Christophe3967 wrote:
    Prologue - East Sheen

    I ride by every evening. Can't help being distracted for a brief moment. Disc wheel in window. Must. Have. :P
    They're my LBS. Helpful, knowledgeable chaps. I have to remain very focussed when I go in as there is a high volume of bike p0rn...
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    JonGinge wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Christophe3967 wrote:
    Prologue - East Sheen

    I ride by every evening. Can't help being distracted for a brief moment. Disc wheel in window. Must. Have. :P
    They're my LBS. Helpful, knowledgeable chaps. I have to remain very focussed when I go in as there is a high volume of bike p0rn...

    yes nice amount of bike porn there, bicycle on sheen road in richmond is not bad either.

    my LBS i like very much, but very little in way of bike porn, it's mostly a repair shop, friendly lot even bought me a pint in recent memory and is less than 5 mins walk. birdy bikes in hampton.

    i suspect that one persons great bike shop and anothers may differ some what to be honest.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Greg66 wrote:
    Lysander wrote:
    Sigma Sport on the other hand are dreadful! They simply refuse to honour the warranty on the products they sell.

    You had a bad experience with them. According to this post by you, they offered you a selection of remedies, including a full refund.

    In this subsequent post you said "I only complained about Sigma until I got what I was owed". It's not clear what you thought you were owed, but it is clear from this post that you thought you'd had it.

    Every post you've made here since then has brought in a reference to how bad you think Sigma Sport is.

    Change the record.

    +1 IME Sigma are excellent, knowledgeable, good stock & friendly.

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