Quality Bike Shops

Chaz.Harding

Ok, so heres an unusual one for ya!

After the Dave Hinde and 'Bad Bike Shops' threads, I thought I'd try a little positive attitude .

Anyone got any really quality bike shops? Who they go to and get good service, by the guy(s) / girl(s) that work there?

Have to say, Dominic in Generation Sports and Cycles in Tidworth, top guy. Went in today to get a few cycling bits, and got a discount AND some SIS GO bar and gels thrown in as freebies.

Definitely biggin' him up!! 8)

STEFANOS4784

I voted: yes but you have to travel.
However i have a good lbs they just didn't want to speak to me until i turned up with my Kuota, i was going to buy a synapse off the local guy but he was a bit rude and didn't offer a test so, went to e-bay instead since then he's been great with bits for the 'dale. He probably thought i was a time waster but ah well, his loss 8)

Chaz.Harding

Sometimes they can be ars*s about it. Theres a shop close to my home, whos normally pretty rude, and EXPENSIVE. However, I took my Chris King hubs and rims to get built up, and they suddenly were my new best friends... Funny that.

But they are good wheels

glauciaregina9

I often use North West Mountain Bikes in Cheadle, Stockport - excellent technical advice etc, top quality wheel builds etc... not always the cheapest, but worth spending that little bit more for the quality of service. And most bikers would agree, a good relationship with your LBS is worth it's weight in gold...

Ruari

Yes, indeed, there are good bike shops about! My local and favourite one is 53-12, in Colchester. Ed, Liam, Adam and Graham offer sound advice, will never rip you off and will often sell you something LESS expensive (according to your needs, obviously).
They are always willing to help and you're always welcome to come in and just have a chat.

STEFANOS4784

It must be that they have had so many time wasters and blaggers and moaners over the time that their souls are crushed. Wish, now, i rode my C'dale down to ask them about the Synapse rather than just turning up :?

vermooten

Paul Hewitt's in Leyland - uber honest. I met a guy who went in with what was effectively a blanl cheque. Paul asked him what he wanted and sold him a £600 bike. Could have sold him a £5k beauty.

Paul has integrity, and that's why I travel 30 miles to buy stuff from him.

mrushton

In Manchester, Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme. Top staff, always helpful and v.knowledgable.

MK Cycles in Bolton - v.helpful and always make the effort.
cyclefit in london. Not really a bike shop per se but the service they provide and the assistance offered is superb

+1 for P.Hewitt

cakewalk

Birmingham City Cycles. A1.

Tail end Charlie

Rick Green cycles, Handforth near Wilmslow. Family business of bike nut father and son.
+1 Bike Doctor in Rusholme.

APIII

Ruari wrote:

Yes, indeed, there are good bike shops about! My local and favourite one is 53-12, in Colchester. Ed, Liam, Adam and Graham offer sound advice, will never rip you off and will often sell you something LESS expensive (according to your needs, obviously).
They are always willing to help and you're always welcome to come in and just have a chat.

I was visiting my folks in Colchester a while back, and while out for a spin noticed my crank arm coming a bit loose. I'd been to 53-12 once in the past, so remembered where it was. I popped in, explained the problem and the first question was "do you fancy a cup of tea"! so while I had a nice brew and a chat, they fixed my bike (properly torqued and all). I offered to pay of course, but they refused. Quality!
Although I didn't buy anything at the time, it's this sort of service that will see me go back in the future

Red Rock

vermooten wrote:

Paul Hewitt's in Leyland - uber honest. I met a guy who went in with what was effectively a blanl cheque. Paul asked him what he wanted and sold him a £600 bike. Could have sold him a £5k beauty.

Paul has integrity, and that's why I travel 30 miles to buy stuff from him.

I agree with vermooten. Paul and his team don't push you to the most profitable product, they just give you good honest advice weather you're buying a bike or an inner tube.

keef66

Got to mention Epic Cycles. Bit off the beaten track down in Tenbury Wells, but well worth the visit. Very thorough fitting session, perfect setting for test rides, impartial advice and no hard sell. I've ended up with a bike that ticks all my boxes, I've chosen every component, and in 6 months of riding all I've had to do is adjust the cable tension.

It's not often I buy anything I'm 100% happy with, but this was one of those rare retail experiences. Thoroughly recommended.

howiejmidlands

Got to stick my vote in here.
I live in Tamworth, and travel to my not so local bike shop in Barnsley - Racescene.

Totally honest guys and Mikey the Bikey is a brilliant mechanic.

Can not praise them highly enough for the advice, encouragement and honesty.

As most people may know, i am no stick insect climber, and the equipment choices i would make are not the ones i need. Racescene guys put me straight and often its a chepaer option, but that advice is priceless.

ccc

Ruari wrote:

Yes, indeed, there are good bike shops about! My local and favourite one is 53-12, in Colchester. Ed, Liam, Adam and Graham offer sound advice, will never rip you off and will often sell you something LESS expensive (according to your needs, obviously).
They are always willing to help and you're always welcome to come in and just have a chat.

Had my first experience with 53-12 today after reading a few comments online and have to say that they far exceeded my expectations.

They managed to sort a problem that two other bike shops had quoted 2-3 days just to have a look at in 20 minutes. Plus I got a free cuppa while I was waiting. I wasn't talked down to and they actually seemed eager to help and get to the root of the problem.

If you're in the Colchester area (or anywhere nearby) I would easily recommend them over anyone else. I'll definitely be using them exclusively from now on.

FSR_XC

Certini - Saltash, near Plymouth

fossyant

+1 Rick Greens in Handforth, Cheshire.

Also Wills Wheels in Stockport, just off the A6 - top wheel builder, sound advice...

gergusmcbergus

can recommend Marshalls cycles in hertford town center

Anonymous

Victory cycles, Rainham in Kent. Great shop.

robthehungrymonkey

There should be some kind of directory, so those of us that haven't found a good lbs yet can.

(i'm near brighton, if anyone has any suggestions...)

wastelander

howiejmidlands wrote:

Got to stick my vote in here.
I live in Tamworth, and travel to my not so local bike shop in Barnsley - Racescene.

Totally honest guys and Mikey the Bikey is a brilliant mechanic.

Can not praise them highly enough for the advice, encouragement and honesty.

As most people may know, i am no stick insect climber, and the equipment choices i would make are not the ones i need. Racescene guys put me straight and often its a chepaer option, but that advice is priceless.

+1 for RaceScene

Extremely knowledgable staff and always willing to point out what you need not what you want and what they don't know about bikes isn't worth knowing.

They take the time to get to know you as a person, not just treat you as a customer so everyone who goes becomes a friend and I've made a lot of friendships there whilst chatting over a brew and biscuits too.

Well worth the trip if like Howie you live some distance away...but for me it's my LBS which is even better!!!

Anonymous

I'm really lucky!

Royles in Wilmslow - big shop, knowlegeable friendly staff, some lovely bikes and clothing in stock. Do price matches too... Upon my recommendation, several friends / family members have bought bikes from there from entry level to rather more expensive.

Rick Green in Handforth - small shop, knowlegeable and friendly staff, don't carry much stock but easily orders stuff in. Good servicing etc and very good wheelbuilders...

micken

Chevin Cycles, Otley, tops!

djnorman1972

I live in Nottingham and there's plenty o bike shops ,but the problem with the shops that stock the 2-3k bikes just tack the mick when it comes to repairsmin £50 charge then £75+ an hour minimum. when the same job from experience cost me £22.00 ,2 minutes down the road, the cost of a good steed this year has got out of hand ,and having worked in outdoor retail on and of all my life i know the only way this is going to change is if the shops speak out , if not we will be paying another 40% increase next year for the manufacturer to ship new bikes them in from korea next year. its turned into a sport that IS NOT an anybody sport any more . iv decided im to ashamed to introduce clients to the sport any more when my bike has cost more than some of them see in a year when they can have just as much fun with a pair of climbing boots a mat a guide and mor boulddering problems they can do ever in the peak for under £200 and look good. im out of it ,its a disgrace at the moment and i realy hope it changes soon.

vtech1.5

Chelmer Cycles Chelmsford great shop, after sales service is second to none !!
main reason I just bought my first Road bike from them after buying my
Mtb there a while ago

Cannondale,Kona, Yeti, Willier give them a look

Frank the tank

My local bike shop, Pro bikes is a small but very good shop. Anyone around Hucknall would be well advised to use it.

maddog 2

+1 Paul Hewitt

Shortcomings in terms of number of bikes and prices won't worry Ribble, but advice and wheelbuilding is of the highest quality.

CHRISNOIR

mrushton wrote:

In Manchester, Bicycle Doctor in Rusholme. Top staff, always helpful and v.knowledgable.

Bicycle Doctor is a great place - especially for people who clearly know sod all about bike maintainance (i.e. me). They will take the p*ss a bit but it's done with warmth, wit and a smile! The first ride after they've serviced my bike is always an absolute joy and I'm not sure I'd trust anyone else with it!

STEFANOS4784

maddog 2 wrote:

+1 Paul Hewitt

Shortcomings in terms of number of bikes and prices won't worry Ribble, but advice and wheelbuilding is of the highest quality.

Come across any gold on your digging

kingrollo

Halfords
Ribble

nolf

+1 Chevin cycles, although the racing team is crap!

Also recommend

Cardiff- Cyclopedia. Best bike shop in south wales and is a supplier of pretty much everything.

York- Cycleworks. Great guys, Fraz (shop owner) is a legend and a really nice guy. Been incredibly super helpful when I had a complicated and incredibly obscure problem with my headset which he has bent over backwards to help me with. Heartily recommend.