Best LBS in East Anglia

stevie63

Hi,
Can anyone recommend a decent LBS in East Anglia (Pref. Norfolk or Suffolk as don't want to travel to far). I am looking to spend up to £700 on my next road bike and although I am attracted to the Boardmans I don't really want to give my business to them. So does anyone know of someone in the area who is good both for sales and aftercare who possibly also has bikes that fill my remit.

Rezillo

I've been very impressed with Elmys at Ipswich - good balance of cheap and high end stuff and the sales staff don't lose interest if you're after the former. While waiting to pay recently, I overheard a couple of prospective buyers of mid range bikes being given a very balanced sales spiel. And I got a good deal on an Orbea Onix so I was happy

Madgetts at Diss get rated well - I've only got the odd visit to go on myself but they seemed fine to me.

John

Ash_

Fat Birds Don't Fly, in Hunstanton is worth a look.

Their website is kept pretty well updated, so you can get a decent idea of what they've got before heading over there.

http://www.fatbirds.co.uk

markos1963

+1 for Fatbirds, got my bike(Orbea Onix) from there and they looked after me well. Only downside is the distance getting there.

Caligari_uk

Heh - I was just about to start a similar thread.

I live in Norwich, and I've found that it's fairly difficult to actually see and try out bikes that I'm interested in.

I think that the best shop I've found so far is Pedal Revolution (on Bethel Street - close to Chapelfield Gardens). They've got a nice selection of Giant, Trek and Bianchi road bikes - and the staff seem friendly enough (even though they never answer any of my E-mails regarding the new 2010 bikes).

Here's their website: http://www.pedalrevolution.co.uk/

I was hunting around on Google, and there's also a store called 'Street Life' that stocks Specialized bikes, so I may check it out tomorrow if they're open on Sundays.

Erm - that's pretty much it!

Oh - unless you include the Halfords in the main city centre, and a larger Halfords on the outskirts.

taz3611

Thomas Cycle Revolution in Ipswich is very good for sales as well as repairs. Their staff are very knowledgable and friendly. Madgetts in Diss are good too and have some real '80s & 90's iconic stock, as well as new stuff. Also, heard good stuff about City Centre Cycles in Ely.

hopper1

I bought my first budget) road bike from Pedal Revolutions, but I wasn't bowled over by the staff, or the help...
Having unsuccessfully looked all around Norfolk for another dealer, I just drove 218 miles to Epic Cycles to buy my new bike.
I couldn't believe that, when you are considering spending the thick end of £3000 (+), local dealers expect you to buy straight off the shelf, no test rides... :shock:
Epics gave me a full bike fitting, adjusted my chosen test bikes to fit, then let me out on my own... They got the deal I'm just awaiting delivery.
Well worth the drive.

I found the most helpful staff to be at Cycle Republic/Halfords in the City centre, and Boardman bikes are not to be sniffed at. I think if I was to stay local, I'd have bought a Boardman from them.

Caligari_uk

hopper1 wrote:

I bought my first budget) road bike from Pedal Revolutions, but I wasn't bowled over by the help...

I guess they're the best of a (pretty bad) bunch.

I'm sure there MUST be an amazing bike store in or around Norwich that I just haven't seen yet.

/crosses fingers

markos1963

Caligari_uk wrote:

Heh - I was just about to start a similar thread.

I live in Norwich, and I've found that it's fairly difficult to actually see and try out bikes that I'm interested in.

I think that the best shop I've found so far is Pedal Revolution (on Bethel Street - close to Chapelfield Gardens). They've got a nice selection of Giant, Trek and Bianchi road bikes - and the staff seem friendly enough (even though they never answer any of my E-mails regarding the new 2010 bikes).

Here's their website: http://www.pedalrevolution.co.uk/

I was hunting around on Google, and there's also a store called 'Street Life' that stocks Specialized bikes, so I may check it out tomorrow if they're open on Sundays.

Erm - that's pretty much it!

Oh - unless you include the Halfords in the main city centre, and a larger Halfords on the outskirts.

There is Specialised(not the brand)Cycles in Connaught Road(just off Dereham Rd) who are pretty good but small. Velo Cycles in Sprowston Rd are Giant Dealers and offer a reasonably good repair service.

BMX Bear

Streetlife, go in there and see Tim, they're really decent blokes. They'll look after you, not got a huge range of bikes in but they do know what they're talking about, all of the staff ride and race.

Not open Sundays though, they're all out riding or racing!

Stevie63, they do have some 2010 Spesh Allez's in stock.

Caligari_uk

Great - thanks for the tips, guys.

I'll check out all of those stores over the next week or so.

bol

I'm a big fan of Steetlife in Norwich. Really friendly, knowlegable and helpful staff, a good range of bikes (and will build to your spec with your existing kit if you prefer) and you can take a stock bike for a ride round the block if it's dry. I've had four bikes from there now and have found that there is discount to be had for regular customers.

gelbvieh

Lifecycle UK, Bildeston, Suffolk www.lifecycleuk.co.uk. Went in there recently on a trip ovr from NZ and even though just a tire kicker we discuss several bikes and wheelsets pros and cons for ages, offered me a bike to ride too if I wanted a spin.

fto-si

gelbvieh wrote:

Lifecycle UK, Bildeston, Suffolk www.lifecycleuk.co.uk. Went in there recently on a trip ovr from NZ and even though just a tire kicker we discuss several bikes and wheelsets pros and cons for ages, offered me a bike to ride too if I wanted a spin.

Best LBS in Suffolk in my opinion. Very knowledgable and helpfull. It's where my Orca goes and will continue to do so.
Have used Thomas Cycle Revolution and Elmy in the past in my opinion they dont come close to Life Cycle.
My first road bike came from Madgetts in DIss and thats a real Aladins Cave.

Fru T Bunn

+ 2 Madgetts - Good for everything. Stock loads of makes and can get you anything. Loads of parts. Good service. Good advice without a sales pitch. Good maintenace & repairs. Wheel building. Been around for ages and well respected.

+ 1 Thomas Cycle Revolution - Trek & Spec mainly. Good service.

- 1 Elmys - Mix of most things. Poor service. A little better when they were in their old shop. My opinion - my mate swears by them.

joshposh

Streetlife cycles are unbeatable! Amazing service and really great staff!

Gav888

+ 1 Thomas Cycle Revolution - Good service and stock, friendly bunch of people.

- 1 Elmys - Poor service.

- 1 Cycle Warehouse - Poor service.

Not tried any others yet....

stevie63

Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate the help. I will have to get around a few and check out what they have.

Caligari_uk

I just wanted to say thanks for the 'Street Life' tip-off.

They seemed like nice guys and I should hopefully be ordering my new Specialized through them (when I can decide on the model that I'd like).