New bike shop - central london

Anonymous
Anonymous Posts: 79,667
edited March 2016 in Commuting chat
Not seen it before but I think there is a new bike shop - CycleRepublic just behind Leadenhall Market in the City.

I think this is the 'bike' only brand of Halfords?

Sells the middle and top end Boardmans up to the £8K elite SLR with super record 11, Pinarellos up to the £6K F8 with ultegra mechanical and also stock some nice looking cinellis and Bassos. The new bike smell is lovely.

Seems well stocked and well laid out. Except for the one thing I wanted. I think there may be a sale on as well.

Comments

  • wandsworth
    wandsworth Posts: 354
    Yes, it's Halfords. One has also just opened at the roundabout end of Wandsworth bridge. Didn't seem to have the higher-end bikes when I went in there but it was a few weeks ago, just after they'd opened, so maybe they do now.
    Shut up, knees!

    Various Boardmans, a Focus, a Cannondale and an ancient Trek.
  • ex-pat scot
    ex-pat scot Posts: 939
    Yeah I spotted it last week. Lots of high end stuff.

    Halfords trialled the "Cyclerepublic" dedicated high end bike store concept about 5 years ago, in a few places including York and Norwich.
    They lasted about a year before being closed down. If I recall, they didn't yield sufficient gross margin. Frankly, they missed the entire road bike explosion - couldn't' have timed it worse!

    I presume this new store is a resurrection / new pilot of the concept again.
    Commute: Langster -Singlecross - Brompton S2-LX

    Road: 95 Trek 5500 -Look 695 Aerolight eTap - Boardman TTe eTap

    Offroad: Pace RC200 - Dawes Kickback 2 tandem - Tricross - Boardman CXR9.8 - Ridley x-fire
  • whatleytom
    whatleytom Posts: 547
    There's been one open about a year up near where Tottenham Court Road meets Euston Road.

    Always seemed ok when I went in to get the odd bit.
    Blog on first season road racing http://www.twhatley.com/
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    I visited the one off Regent St before xmas (was actually on my way to CycleSurgery but they were giving out vouchers on the street so went in for the value)

    Handy if you just need some stuff (tubes, gels, chain, a multi etc). Same clueless staff as in H@lfords though. Sample dialog from my visit:

    "My brother has one of those" (pointing to track bike on sale)
    "You should always replace the cassette as well if your chain is worn out" (despite customer saying cassette and chain were replaced together last time)
    "Your gears need re-indexing" (despite customer telling him chain kept coming off when in small cog, clearly indicating either bent derailleur or limit screw adjustment needed)

    I give the place about a year - the rent must be astronomical off Regent St, and they're competing with Evans - who are just as sh1te but more established
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/article/20160114-membership-static-Halfords-Cycle-Republic---discounts-for-members-0?utm_source=British%20Cycling&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6640217_Member%20News%2014%20January%202016&utm_content=Halfords%20Cycle%20Republic&dm_i=BM6,3YBMH,2LN0UX,E9HGF,1
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Went in there today to get some bar tape and cable ferrules and it turns out one of the guys there used to be the manager at my local Evans.

    Interestingly they have a loyalty card where you provide your email address and in return:

    £20 voucher for every £100 spent
    50% of a service once per annum (gives the full service of £80 down to £40).
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    Would you have your bike serviced at halfords or Evans even of it was free?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    coriordan wrote:
    50% of a service once per annum (gives the full service of £80 down to £40).
    Half a service then? :)

    Is it worth paying even £40 for someone to adjust the brakes, index the gears & squirt a bit of oil on the chain? Always struck me as a colossal waste of money paying for a bike service. There are much better things to waste money on surely.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    If they're gonna strip, rebuild, recable and re-grease and clean then 40 quid is worth it for my time. (I'll provide the cables)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,052
    CiB wrote:
    coriordan wrote:
    50% of a service once per annum (gives the full service of £80 down to £40).
    Half a service then? :)

    Is it worth paying even £40 for someone to adjust the brakes, index the gears & squirt a bit of oil on the chain? Always struck me as a colossal waste of money paying for a bike service. There are much better things to waste money on surely.

    beer?
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    coriordan wrote:
    Went in there today to get some bar tape and cable ferrules and it turns out one of the guys there used to be the manager at my local Evans.

    Interestingly they have a loyalty card where you provide your email address and in return:

    £20 voucher for every £100 spent
    50% of a service once per annum (gives the full service of £80 down to £40).
    the director of the cycle republic brand within the halfords group is ex-evans. they have been trying to bring in a load of the evans staff
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,799
    Anyone had experience with getting servicing etc with this lot?
    _
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    I know of someone who had quite a nasty 'off' post a service by these guys, where adjustments to a mudgard made it go into his front wheel, he's a very easy going so took it no further. i'm still happy with a load of you tube videos, a maintenance book and a decent knowledgeable LBS when I need something specific doing.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    Noticed that one of these is soon to open in Purley, near my gaff, if any of you are heading down that way. Looks like it will be a pretty big store.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk

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