Bike shop opinions

[totem]

Being new to bike buying I am hoping you guys might offer your views on the quality/service of the following Bike shops:

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op (online use only)
London Bicycle Workshop (online and in-store use)
Tredz (online use only)
Freeborn (online use only)
Cycle Surgery Holborn (in-store and online)
Evans Waterloo (in-store and online)

How many use the 6/8 week bike check if offered?

Thanks.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Tredz is the only one I've had dealings with, I found they have a bit of a habit of advertising bikes (at very keen prices) that they don't actually have in stock, so you could order and potentially wait a while. I chose not to order in the end because of that.

Paul's in Norfolk is one to look into, I got my Giant from there after @vickster recommended them. Everything offered exists and is in stock, and you can have your bike within 48 hours from payment. Very good prices too, even on 2016 models, and some massive bargains on 2015 bikes. I believe their after sales customer service is good, but I've not had to use it.

 

[totem]

That would be Paul's Cycles?

 

[CanucksTraveller]

That would be Paul's Cycles?

Yes sir.

 

[User16625]

I used Tredz both online and in store. Had no problems yet.

 

[mjr]

Tredz is the only one I've had dealings with, I found they have a bit of a habit of advertising bikes (at very keen prices) that they don't actually have in stock, so you could order and potentially wait a while. I chose not to order in the end because of that.

I had the same problem with Tredz for other parts. I've not bought from them again.

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op have always been good for me and the main reason I don't call them excellent is their restricted range and continued promotion of some products that I consider unethical and contrary to co-op values.

The others of your list that I've experienced are other branches of Cycle Surgery (Pentonville Road) and Evans (St Pancras, Norwich and online) who seemed competent enough and fairly fast but they're the typical bland bike chain experience.

If you're looking around London, consider Brixton Cycles.

 

[J1888]

Being new to bike buying I am hoping you guys might offer your views on the quality/service of the following Bike shops:

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op (online use only)
London Bicycle Workshop (online and in-store use)
Tredz (online use only)
Freeborn (online use only)
Cycle Surgery Holborn (in-store and online)
Evans Waterloo (in-store and online)

How many use the 6/8 week bike check if offered?

Thanks.

Instore, they were utterly dreadful for a long time - never used them for fixing my bike etc, but just to deal with them when purchasing anything (they're near to where I work) was torture.

A while back they seem to have completely changed staff and are better.

 

[totem]

Anyone every used or have opinions on Swinnerton cycles?

 

[Brains]

Where do you live ?
Where do you work ?

If you are buying an 'off the peg' bike I'd be inclined to buy local and buy small.

By buying local it means you can easily take it back for the inevitable things that go wrong in the first few weeks, you are supporting a local shop and if you have the option of picking a small independent rather than a national chain you will usually get better service.

But ultimately it depends on the bike you want, don't be pressurised into buying a particular manufacturer, as that is what the shop sells, look around the net, find the bike, and then find the shop


Note: You appear to work in central London, so a visit to Condor for some hard core bike porn (with prices to match) may give you ideas or aspirations
https://www.condorcycles.com/pages/our-bikes

 

[vickster]

Being new to bike buying I am hoping you guys might offer your views on the quality/service of the following Bike shops:

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op (online use only)
London Bicycle Workshop (online and in-store use)
Tredz (online use only)
Freeborn (online use only)
Cycle Surgery Holborn (in-store and online)
Evans Waterloo (in-store and online)

How many use the 6/8 week bike check if offered?

Thanks.

Why can you only use Freeborn online, probably an hour journey by train from London. Hardly a hardship when spending a grand on a bike

I'd personally go the LBS route rather than buying online or from CS or Evans

I would always use the 6-8 week check, I'm inept and sometimes it can be a condition of the warranty