London Based Cycle Shoe Shop?

TMR
TMR Posts: 3,986
edited February 2011 in Road buying advice
Is there such a thing? Basically I want to go in, try 2 or 3 pairs on until I find the ones I like, perhaps have a spin on a turbo trainer or something to see how they feel, then buy. Anyone know of such a place?

Comments

  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I would have thought Carl in the Clothing dept at Condor cycles is your man for this, he's always been very accommodating, give him a call and go from there.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    +1
    He has a real knack for sorting out the right shoes and helmets to suit the shape of your feet/ head.
    The only other place I could think of in the centre of town might be Cycle Surgery down near Liverpool Street station (they have two stores down there).
    Peter
  • twoodley
    twoodley Posts: 80
    De Ver Cycles in Streatham High Street had a good selection of shoes last time I went there. They specialise in SIDI shoes, but have others
    Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    Excellent guys - thank you so much!

    I know where Condor are (I used to work across the street). I'll give them a call :)
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Cyclefit on Macklin St. do Mavic/Shimano/Lake, the latter 2 being mouldable to provide a semi custom fit (Cyclefit do that for you I think)
    M.Rushton
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    +1 on Condor. Unlike most bike shops Carl will actually find you something that is the right width.
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    I called Condor today to discuss a visit, left my number, but no-one called back. So, I've made an appointment for Monday at Cycle Fit a few streets away.

    I may pop into Condor afterwards to try and sort out a new helmet.

    Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll let you know how it goes.
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    An update:

    Carl from Condor called on Friday, so I said I'd pop in tonight after I'd been to Cycle Fit. I turned up in time for my shoe fitting, but Cycle Fit didn't have the Lake CX401 in my size, so I left and walked over to Condor.

    As others have posted, Carl is a nice guy. We went through three pairs of shoes from different companies, and I ended up with a pair of Sidi Lazers, in white with red accents :)

    I wanted a helmet as well, and again tried three different brands; Specialized, Giro & Kask. The Giro (Ionos & Atmos) and Specialized (Prevail) felt uncomfortable. They were OK front to back, but weren't snug enough at the sides, and each had an internal bit which sat akwardly on my head causing discomfort. They felt as though they were just sat on my head rather than enveloping and protecting it. When I tried the Kask (K10) it felt perfect, as though it had been custom made for my huge head! Incredibly comfortable, it fits so snuggly - I love it. It looks amazing in white as well, so I bought it.

    And to end my little spending spree, I bought a pair of Speedplay pedals. Just need my new bikes to arrive!

    Thanks for the Condor tip - it's a very nice bike shop. I could spend hours in there :)
  • cornerblock
    cornerblock Posts: 3,228
    Nice buys there. It is a very nice shop, though spending hours in there could be dangerous on the bank balance! You say you are waiting on bikes to arrive! Mind telling what you are waiting on?
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    Cornerblock wrote:
    Nice buys there. It is a very nice shop, though spending hours in there could be dangerous on the bank balance! You say you are waiting on bikes to arrive! Mind telling what you are waiting on?

    Sure,

    A Ribble Winter Trainer and a Trek Madone 6.9 SSL in Leopard Trek colours (still in the order process - Trek UK are very helpful).
  • cornerblock
    cornerblock Posts: 3,228
    The Mad Rapper wrote:
    Cornerblock wrote:
    Nice buys there. It is a very nice shop, though spending hours in there could be dangerous on the bank balance! You say you are waiting on bikes to arrive! Mind telling what you are waiting on?

    Sure,

    A Ribble Winter Trainer and a Trek Madone 6.9 SSL in Leopard Trek colours (still in the order process - Trek UK are very helpful).

    Nice. Not mucking about are you! Forget what I said about danger to the bank account and get back in there! :lol: Hope you enjoy them when they arrive. What is the waiting time on the Madone by the way?
  • TMR
    TMR Posts: 3,986
    Cornerblock wrote:
    Nice. Not mucking about are you! Forget what I said about danger to the bank account and get back in there! :lol: Hope you enjoy them when they arrive. What is the waiting time on the Madone by the way?

    It's 5-6 weeks according to Andy at Trek UK. It's a bit of a convoluted purchase path to be honest. It has to be ordered through Project One as a custom build.

    However, I didn't want to commit to a purchase without a test ride. Unfortunately, Trek don't have any to let me try, so they are sending a Madone 5.9 to my LBS at work (Evans - Canary Wharf), and I'll get to take it out for a day. It should be here this week. Andy has told me that the 5.9 is almost identical to the 6.9 in terms of geo, so that should give me a good idea as to whether I'll like it or not.

    If I do, I'll complete the order. If I don't then I'll consider one of the following:

    Colnago C59 Italia
    Colnago M10
    Sabbath Silk Road Alp
    Cannondale Super Six Hi-Mod
    Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod

    I really like the look of the Madone, so I hope that works out. I suspect my (lack of) flexibility is likely to be the only real issue, and that can be worked on. I won't know what the riding position is like until I get on it of course.

    In the interim, I'm joining High Wycombe CC, so I'll be out with them on my Ribble trying to get lighter and faster. Really looking forward to it ;)
  • cornerblock
    cornerblock Posts: 3,228
    5-6 weeks is not too bad a wait time, so if you really like the Madone that's good. I would not know about the similarities between 5.9 and the 6.9, sure somebody on here could tell you if that's correct. What a nice position to be in, I am :mrgreen: with envy. Personally with the quality of bikes you are considering I would want to test ride them all. Enjoy.

Categories