Recommend me an LBS in London!

lastant

Right, I'm planning on testing a few road bikes tomorrow - want to try a Specialized Secteur but am also tempted with the Bianchi Via Nerone too.

Evans has both of them in stock, but surely there's an independent store somewhere I can go that'll have that little bit more about it's service? I'm based Shepherds Bush way but happy to travel a while if there's a decent place to go (Epic Cycles is a little out the way, unfortunately!).

Any recommendations?

alan_sherman

Some good bike shops in no particular order:

Sigma in Kingston Upon Thames

Prologue in Sheen (so a short ride for you)

De Ver in Streatham / Brixton way

Geoffrey Butler in Croyden

Condor in the City

And many others too.

Clever Pun

alan sherman wrote:

Some good bike shops in no particular order:

Sigma in Kingston Upon Thames

Prologue in Sheen (so a short ride for you)

De Ver in Streatham / Brixton way

Geoffrey Butler in Croydon

Condor in the City

And many others too.

Can certainly recommend these two

il_principe

alan sherman wrote:

Some good bike shops in no particular order:

Sigma in Kingston Upon Thames

Prologue in Sheen (so a short ride for you)

De Ver in Streatham / Brixton way

Geoffrey Butler in Croydon

Condor in the City

And many others too.

And I can recommend Sigma, they stock some serious bike porn and I've always had great service there, although I've heard some complain that they can be a little aloof.

I'd add Pearson in Sutton to the list as well. All these shops (from what I've heard) will make sure you are fitted properly which is, of course, vital.

Christophe3967

Il Principe wrote:

alan sherman wrote:

Some good bike shops in no particular order:

Sigma in Kingston Upon Thames

Prologue in Sheen (so a short ride for you)

De Ver in Streatham / Brixton way

Geoffrey Butler in Croydon

Condor in the City

And many others too.

And I can recommend Sigma, they stock some serious bike porn and I've always had great service there, although I've heard some complain that they can be a little aloof.

I'd add Pearson in Sutton to the list as well. All these shops (from what I've heard) will make sure you are fitted properly which is, of course, vital.

Just don't go downstairs in Sigma unless you're really weird

Mosquito in Islington are good too.

Monkeypump

I haven't any personal experience with them, but a couple of riding buddies highly recommend Geoffrey Butler in Croydon.

markshaw77

A couple of more "joe public" oriented stores, but both have a great range of stock in store and will let you do test rides

On Your Bike at London Bridge is massive and has a good selection of bikes in store, but the service can be a bit hit and miss

Some of the Cycle Surgery stores can also be good if you get the right person - I have had good experience with the Strype St (nr Liverpool St) and Holborn

solsurf

I know you may not want to hear this, but I have recently received much better and more enthusiastic service from Evans staff than the LBS. often the levels of service comes down to the individuals that work there.

However I understand the sentiment of wanting to support the LBS

gaz545

Monkeypump wrote:

I haven't any personal experience with them, but a couple of riding buddies highly recommend Geoffrey Butler in Croydon.

One of the best LBS's in south london!

De Ver as others have mentioned as well which is in the gap between norbury and streatham (Norbury station is much much closer). and they have an amazing amout of stock in there!

biondino

Holdsworth in Putney are small, but super-friendly and competent and they do stock Bianchis (but not Speshes, I don't think) - they have the gorgeous Bianchi Dolomiti in the window.

DonDaddyD

alan sherman wrote:

Some good bike shops in no particular order:

Sigma in Kingston Upon Thames

Prologue in Sheen (so a short ride for you)

De Ver in Streatham / Brixton way

Geoffrey Butler in Croydon

Condor in the City

And many others too.

And:

Luciano Cycles

Cyclopolis and Psubliminal in Balham - Both are friendly and frankly awesome.

lastant

Thanks people. I've given Geoffrey Butler a call and they have the Secteurs in stock in most sizes so going to go and try one tomorrow.

Another bonus with them is that they've got a 20% off offer on all 2010 bikes until 31st January - and 20-50% off all accessories!

DonDaddyD

Why am I only find out about th discount now!

:x

Stevo_666

Cycle Surgery stock Specialized and Bianchi - there's a branch near me on Great Portland Street W1 and they are pretty competent/helpful.

Headhuunter

I also find that at shops like Condor, the service you receive depends on the individual. Some there are very helpful and down to earth, others haven't got a clue.

I posted this on another thread somewhere, but I went to Condor for tyres a while back and spoke to a guy who was incredibly helpful, talked through the pros and cons of GP400 vs Gatorskins etc etc yet another time I went in for a couple of spokes. I wasn't sure of the size so asked a guy there if he could tell me what size I need. I showed him that the broken spokes were on the drive side of the rear wheel. He started to measure the spokes on the non drive side! When I pointed out that spokes were different sizes on each side, he seemed completely lost...

Same goes for the much maligned Halfords. Most of there assistants haven't got a clue how to sell anything except an Appolo full susser, but I have known some of their workshop guys to be very astute. All depends where you go and who you get

DonDaddyD

Headhuunter wrote:

I also find that at shops like Condor, the service you receive depends on the individual. Some there are very helpful and down to earth, others haven't got a clue.

+1 I bolded Condor, because really it should be a tourist attraction. "Come to London see Condor Cycles" They really do, for me, symbolise this whole bike revolution we are supposedly having.

However, during the times I've been I've only been offered help once and even then I had to walk around the store with a product in my hand looking all shifty before the dude asked me. Even when he served me he seemed more interested in serving other people. Perhaps this was because in my work clothes I didn't look like a cyclist and the courier wanting to try shoes that I wanted to buy seemed like a more viable sale. So £120+ later I left happy I bought a few things from there, but not really happy about the service.

I would buy a bike from their though.

I judge a good bike shop on the basis of whether I would or would not buy a bike from them.

Headhuunter

DonDaddyD wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

I also find that at shops like Condor, the service you receive depends on the individual. Some there are very helpful and down to earth, others haven't got a clue.

+1 I bolded Condor, because really it should be a tourist attraction. "Come to London see Condor Cycles" They really do, for me, symbolise this whole bike revolution we are supposedly having.

However, during the times I've been I've only been offered help once and even then I had to walk around the store with a product in my hand looking all shifty before the dude asked me. Even when he served me he seemed more interested in serving other people. Perhaps this was because in my work clothes I didn't look like a cyclist and the courier wanting to try shoes that I wanted to buy seemed like a more viable sale. So £120+ later I left happy I bought a few things from there, but not really happy about the service.

I would buy a bike from their though.

I judge a good bike shop on the basis of whether I would or would not buy a bike from them.

Yeah you're right. They get incredibly busy and only ever seem to have 3 or 4 staff on at a time. I don't often buy stuff there because I just can't be bothered to queue for half an hour. Now that they have newer, larger premises, I think it's about time they invested in a few more staff!

mrc1

DonDaddyD wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Perhaps this was because in my work clothes I didn't look like a cyclist and the courier wanting to try shoes that I wanted to buy seemed like a more viable sale.

Definitely agree with this. If I call into a bike shop on the way in or out of work while wearing cycling gear and leaving a nice bike in the shop I get a completely different level of service compared to going in on my lunch break while in a suit.

Personally I would -1 On yer Bike at London Bridge as the front of house staff seem to know nothing about what they are selling. This ranges from questions about lights to questions about bikes. Personal favourite was going in with my girlfriend when she wanted a bike and having to correct pretty much everything the sales bloke said as it was completely wrong (trying to recommend unsuitable bikes and also recommending a far bigger bike size than she needed).

The best bit is their servicing though. Took the singlespeed in as the freewheel was knackered and the bike needed a bit of general TLC. I asked how much this would cost and they stated the standard price of something like £70 :shock: . I asked what this included and the assistant said it includes lots but the main thing was "adjusting the gears and lubing the gear mechanisms". I asked if they cant do a service that doesnt charge for this, as the bike is a singlespeed and she said "No, its all standard I'm afraid". Total joke.

gaz545

lastant wrote:

Thanks people. I've given Geoffrey Butler a call and they have the Secteurs in stock in most sizes so going to go and try one tomorrow.

Another bonus with them is that they've got a 20% off offer on all 2010 bikes until 31st January - and 20-50% off all accessories!

If your going by car then drive past GB and take the next left, next to the car dealer, there is a car park up there.

DonDaddyD

The London Bridge bike shop, not a fan. Not a fan at all.

I'm not sure about the whole in a suit or not in a suit. I think it depends on the person serving.

It's why I like DeVer so much (best shop ever IMO) and why in some ways I regret not buying my carbon frame from them, though they don't sell Kharma and I wanted a Kharma.

I've gone to DeVer in a suit, in my cycle clothes, in casual clothes when I was 25 and as a 17yr old (amongst all the other times). They have treated me one way everytime I've walked in and I gotta say I love it. Always willing to accomodate financial means with actual desire. I won't go into the deals they've offered me but they've been eye wateringly run to the bank good.

I also like the communty feel, they know their customers names and are often just having conversations with regulars on a proper friendly basis. One of the best shops in London IMO.

mrc1

DonDaddyD wrote:

The London Bridge bike shop, not a fan. Not a fan at all.

I'm not sure about the whole in a suit or not in a suit. I think it depends on the person serving.

It's why I like DeVer so much (best shop ever IMO) and why in some ways I regret not buying my carbon frame from them, though they don't sell Kharma and I wanted a Kharma.

I've gone to DeVer in a suit, in my cycle clothes, in casual clothes when I was 25 and as a 17yr old (amongst all the other times). They have treated me one way everytime I've walked in and I gotta say I love it. Always willing to accomodate financial means with actual desire. I won't go into the deals they've offered me but they've been eye wateringly run to the bank good.

I also like the communty feel, they know their customers names and are often just having conversations with regulars on a proper friendly basis. One of the best shops in London IMO.

And apparently they offer good commission

DonDaddyD

Good service is its own advertisment.

Having grown up in Norbury where DeVer are based I like the influence and reputation they have in the area.

Everyone knows team DeVer.

Damien_KW

I bought a bike from De Ver last year - service I got when picking up a £2000+ bike was shaky to say the least! Left waiting around for ages, bike not set up properly, etc etc. But the generally the guys in there seem alright. The place would probably run smoother if Maurice didn't disappear off to Tenerife or wherever for half the year!

But that seems to be par for the course in bike shops. One day you could get great service and advice in Condor, then next day no service at all...

Sewinman

Damien_KW wrote:

I bought a bike from De Ver last year - service I got when picking up a £2000+ bike was shaky to say the least! Left waiting around for ages, bike not set up properly, etc etc. But the generally the guys in there seem alright. The place would probably run smoother if Maurice didn't disappear off to Tenerife or wherever for half the year!

But that seems to be par for the course in bike shops. One day you could get great service and advice in Condor, then next day no service at all...

+1 Can be a bit shambolic. They also sold my mate a bike on C2W that they did not actually have and could not get hold of....eventually they managed to find one but was stressful. Maurice's wife is very friendly.

Roastie

For everyday stuff I enjoy Apex in Clapham. Great bunch of guys and always very helpful.

il_principe

mrc1 wrote:

Personally I would -1 On yer Bike at London Bridge as the front of house staff seem to know nothing about what they are selling. This ranges from questions about lights to questions about bikes. Personal favourite was going in with my girlfriend when she wanted a bike and having to correct pretty much everything the sales bloke said as it was completely wrong (trying to recommend unsuitable bikes and also recommending a far bigger bike size than she needed).

The best bit is their servicing though. Took the singlespeed in as the freewheel was knackered and the bike needed a bit of general TLC. I asked how much this would cost and they stated the standard price of something like £70 :shock: . I asked what this included and the assistant said it includes lots but the main thing was "adjusting the gears and lubing the gear mechanisms". I asked if they cant do a service that doesnt charge for this, as the bike is a singlespeed and she said "No, its all standard I'm afraid". Total joke.

Another -1 for me, I work close to there and they completely ripped off one of my (rather naïve) colleagues, charged him a fortune for a service and claimed to have done things like (adjust his brakes and for new pads), they'd done nothing of the sort of course. Staff are pretty hopeless and they don't seem to stock much stuff, didn't even have pedal spanners when I went in.

DonDaddyD

For bike services of any nature I always go to Cyclopolis in Balham.

Open 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday, even if you are coming home late from work these guys are open and ready to work.

They'll also do most jobs and have your bike ready next day.

mrc1

From a north London perspective I can recommend these guys:

http://www.bikeandrun.co.uk/

Always been really helpful with me and have recently moved into much bigger premises.

Headhuunter

North London? Where's that then?

mrc1

Headhuunter wrote:

North London? Where's that then?

It's where the rich and the heavily mortgaged live dharrrrling.

cjcp

mrc1 wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

North London? Where's that then?

It's where the rich and the heavily mortgaged live dharrrrling.

It's where the Commentating Classes live.

Oh yeah, try On Your Bike by London Bridge. Not sure what's in stock there, but they're friendly and it's a big shop. And it's *always* worth looking round big bike shops.