Best bike shops around the UK for range of stock?

d3matt

All the bike shops near me are very small and a very limited choice of accessories, clothing etc. The largest shop I've visited so far is Evans in Reading.

I drive around the country (well from Southampton-York) for work and often find myself calling up local bike shops on my satnav when I've got an hour or two to spare, but only to find they are a waste of time. For example, I called into one in Windsor last week and asked if they had any handlebar map holders in. I was told "you'll have to go to Millets or a moped shop, as you can't get these for bikes"!

So, could we build up a list of the largest bike shops around the UK that are worth a visit? Just the ones that have a large selection of clothing, accessories etc where you can do some good browsing. I would be happy to divert off my route for some considerable way if I was in the area of must-see-shop. i.e. where are the bike superstores?

I go over to N.Ireland a few times a year too, so Chain Reaction Cycles will be on my list.

DirtMonkee

Online buying is leading the way but your right, cant beat a bit of browsing and impulse buying.

I live in the Northwest and there are a few local shops but I'd have to say that leisure lakes in bury makes a good sunday afternoon visit. I suppose most leisure lakes stores are similar so find nearest one.

I'm from Northern Ireland and yea, cant beat CRC.

beverick

DirtMonkee wrote:

Online buying is leading the way but your right, cant beat a bit of browsing and impulse buying.

I live in the Northwest and there are a few local shops but I'd have to say that leisure lakes in bury makes a good sunday afternoon visit. I suppose most leisure lakes stores are similar so find nearest one.

I'm from Northern Ireland and yea, cant beat CRC.

Leisure Lakes near Nottingham sprang to mind so there may be a pattern beginning to emerge.

Evans usually have a lot of bikes as they are generally just the mainline models there's not much choice when you look closely.

Bob

paulbox

Try PedalOn near Reading, doesn't look much from the outside but they have a huge amount of bikes inside.

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/

andyrm

Zero G Cycle Corp in Bristol is a damn good shout if you're ever down here!! 4 stores:

Downend (multibrand)
Bedminster (multibrand
Specialized Concept Store
Giant Concept Store

www.zerogcyclecorp.com

Loads of stock and brands, really good mechanics and a good bunch of guys too.

aaronmroach

Try stif inbetween harogate and leeds

Thunder1

One of my favourites, CycleSense at Tadcaster, a really nice friendly shop

ps: theres parking around the back

http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/location.php

Stupidboypike

Thunder1 wrote:

One of my favourites, CycleSense at Tadcaster, a really nice friendly shop

ps: theres parking around the back

http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/location.php

Agreed

njee20

PedalOn is one of very few shops I've been really impressed with. IMO most of the 'award winning' shops may look nice but actually hold sod all stock!

Anonymous

The shop in Llandegla is quite small, but has a pretty varied range of clothing, helmets and parts.

My local, revolution in Bangor is only a small shop, but has a great range of clothing for MTBers, and roadies. It has a slightly limited range of bikes due to space, but what they have is worth having a look at.

rrice

Try Bikelab in Poole and Richmond (london). Some lovely stuff in there.