Epic Cycles - Orbeas + Fitting

navier_stokes

Looking at heading down to Epic for a fitting and a look at their Orbea range - anyone had any experience of Epic and/or Orbeas. I have been out of cycling for a number of years so will be starting again from fresh - what is their accessory/clothing range like? Are they flexible with deals - throwing in shoes/pedals/shorts etc?

Slow Downcp

They'll see you right - fitting service is superb, but phone in advance and book session and test rides in case they're busy.

markos1963

No experience of Epic, although they are famous for their service, but have an Orbea Onix(07 model) Pretty happy with the bike, you can still get it as the Veulta Onix, mine is specced with 105 group. Its nice and light, handles well because of its racy geometry but is fairly compliant due to the weave of CF they use. Ultimately I would love an Orca purely on looks alone

twotyred

I bought my Kinesis from Epic and can recommend their knowledge and service highly. Like a previous poster said make sure you phone and let them know you're travelling down. I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Epic for another bike.

Regarding your question about deals. I got the impression they weren't that flexible- but hey I'd rather buy a great bike that fitted me properly than worry about getting a few quid off.

keef66

I went there because they were £100 cheaper than my local Orbea dealer and they had the right size to test ride. (you can buy quite a bit of kit with £100!) Having discussed my cycling with Chris at Epic I instead test rode a Kinesis Racelight TK and ended up buying it. Excellent fitting session, advice with component selection.

bobtbuilder

I bought my Orbea Orca from them last Summer.

Excellent service and a great bike fit & test rides session.

Have to agree with twotyred that they are not very flexible in terms of doing a deal, and this was a little disappointing. All I got was my saddle at cost price rather than retail.

Having said that, it was more important to me to get a top bike and a good set up.

fungus_the_muffin_man

I went there last year with my heart set on a Orbea. I ended up going home with a bike I said to myself I'd never get - a Bianchi. For customer service and the overall experience they are fantastic. It was definitely worth the 5 hour round trip drive. Next bike I get I'll be going straight back to them.

markshaw77

Another +1

I went there in November (400 mile round trip!) to test ride a couple of different specced Orbea Onix - the service was great and it was really nice to find a wide range of bikes available for test ride in my size (depending on the make I am an S or XS)

The fitting (with Ben) was great and after a couple of test rides that didn't feel quite right and a further chat, I ended up testing and buying a Scott CR1 - personal preference rather than anything specific against the Orbeas which are lovely bikes.

There was no pressure on time and despite the next customer arriving for his fitting, the guys did a great job of continuing to tinker with my position at the same time as looking after the other customer - I don't think either of us felt compromised and the willingness to keep going until I was perfectly happy was great.

I was buying via Cyclescheme, so didn't really look for any deals, but they have a wide range of kit available in store and, within reason, are willing to order other stuff in if you want.

I would definately recommend Epic and have yet to hear a bad word about the Orbeas, but they just weren't for me.

ianeverton

I went there a week or two ago to buy my Bianchi, they are very good forfitting and test rides and they had a few models of Ordea at the shop.

If you are going on a weekend and want a fitting you will have to book, they are fully booked for a weekend or two I think, I went on a Monday and it was very quiet.

All in all a great shop and service.

paul64

150 mile trip to Epic last August.
Each way
Filthy rain for 3 hours each way
Test rides in the rain
Cold, miserable, an enthusuast's dedication.

Would not hesitate to repeat it again.

Rode Viner, Bianchi, Look and considered others. Fitting session lives up to reputation. Did not try it on with deals as I had established beforehand this isn't their way, however they price competitvely and often cheaper than others.

In your shoes I would try the Viner Magnifica against the Orbea, not because it's what I bought but because the 2009 paint jobbie is on a special for Onix money, in fact cheaper. Main thing is enjoy, take some chocolate brownies or sandwich and drink with you as you will be plied with coffee but you'll want some energy for the many short rides and hours that will likely pass quickly.

Great advice from Phil and Chris whenever I have phoned since then.

magliaceleste

Superb service. My Viner came from them (yes try one). Lots of good advice without any pressure. Highly recommended.

paul_or

Hi, I've had an Orbea Aqua 105 for about 14 months and love it. A really top notch entry level bike, build quality superb, and having seen this years model yesterday at my LBS, it looks even better! And it stands out in a crowd of treks, cannondales, etc.

If you have time or inclination, I have blogged for about a year about mine, the link is below, hope that's of use. Paul.

hopper1

+1 for the Epic bike fit.
Excellent service and advice.
I went there (420 miles round trip), to by an Orca, but after a chat and fit, I decided to demo three bikes (not an Orbea!), the lumpy surroundings almost killed me after all the demo's, but it was well worth it.
I saw Ben, very good.

marcthehammer

Got my Orbea from epic.Went with an open mind not really knowing which bike to get,I liked the look of a bianchi but went for the orbea onix after a test ride,It just felt right you know.Great service and knowledge not too flexable on the price but it was bout £100 cheaper than most places i looked and you get a free bike fit,which is the best thing to have.