Anyone know if Bike Shed UK is a good retailer?

[Time Waster]

I am looking at getting my son a specialized Camber helmet. He needs a medium and it has to be black apparently. Looking online for some time I have basically to go to Specialized and pay £60 (excluding delivery) or Bike Shed UK website and pay £30 plus £4.95 delivery. I have never heard of them before so wondered if anyone on here has used them online and has a view on them? Good or bad experience with them? AIUI they come from Devon where they have a few physical shops.

I think I am just being overly cautious but it is when all the other shops (TRedz, Balfes,, Leisure lakes, etc) who sell this helmet for about that price or cheaper but not in his size or in a colour he would wear. Well I wonder how they still have stock in black which is likely the most popular colour and medium size too.

So any knowledge of the retailer Bike Shed UK and opinions on them from people here would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[ianrauk]

I have no experience of them but why dont you give them a call for piece of mind.

 

[All uphill]

Ms AU bought a new bike from them in Exeter in 2021. Our son bought a new bike from them in 2022. I've often been in their store. They seem fine to me.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Is it half price because it’s crash damaged?

 

[Time Waster]

There's a lot of bike shops selling at even less, but they've run out of medium sized black helmets like I want for my son. Specialized helmets are cheap for MIPS even at full price, but with so many selling them for even Jess than the £30 this shop sells them for.

Tredz, leisure lakes, je James, balfe bikes, bike hut, bikeit, sigma, etc. All sell at less then half price. A couple of months ago I could have gone to Tredz or others but not now.

There's more choice of retailer for me as I'm a larger size (XL I think). They don't sell out so quick. I guess these are bought for kids as they're cheap. Most parents (Dad's) or adults will spend more and get the tactic 4 or ambush 2 I guess or similar from other brands.

I do wonder why specialized do helmets that score the highest rating at Virginia Tech but often cost almost half the price of other brands with the same ratings?

I think Specialized do helmets well! The camber 2 gets best budget MIPS mountain bike helmet ratings in reviews from what I've seen. That's why we're getting one for our son. Fully expect it'll need replacing due to damage before it needs replacing due to age!

Of course based on looks I know he would prefer a Fox helmet or perhaps Scott!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Just make sure it’s not old stock. Helmets are meant to be binned after 3 years even if they haven’t been damaged by dropping etc.

 

[Drago]

Indeed. Check the born on date.