Bike shops in M40 area of Manchester

[Rosalind]

Can anybody help.

I live in the M40 area of North Manchester, and I know there are independant bike shops in the area, but I wondered if anybody on this forum could recommend any in particular.

I am a complete novice when it comes to buying a bike so I want to go somewhere where I will be ripped off.

I have read on here that people are not too impressed with Halfords, so I will keep away from there.

Also, could somebody please explain to me what a Hybrid bike is. The last time I rode a bike a bike was just a bike!

I have read about folding bikes, electric bikes, hybrids, Town and Comfort bikes.

I don't want to use it to go to work. I just want to be able to ride around local parks that have cycle trails. I am not interested in competing in the Tour de France! LOL

Also, the makes of bikes.l I would prefer a British make if possible. Are Raleigh's still a good make and what about Real. I think they are made in Northern Ireland. I did make enquires about where Real bikes are made on its website but the only reply I got was "In teh shed, out the back"! LOL

So thanking you all in advance, any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Rosalind

 

[carpiste]

From my experience you can`t go wrong with Evans cycles at Trafford Park.They can get most cycles in for you to try, if they haven`t already and will sell at lowest price you can find on the web.Trying the bike is a must!
I might be wrong here but if you want it for cycle tracks in parks you won`t need a road bike and if the tracks are tarmac then an mtb will probably be a chore.With that in mind you`ll probably be best off going for a hybrid which will be good on tarmac and gravel tracks as well as roads if you need to use them.
As for make of bike I`d say from using this forum you`ll be best off going for a good name,Scott,Cannondale etc.
A lot will depend on your budget but the staff at Evans,as well as any lbs,will give you good advice on the best bike to buy within your budget.I was amazed when a guy told me not to buy an "Evans own" and to plump for a cheaper Scott! I`m not naming him though,sure Evans wouldn`t be happy

 

[dan_bo]

I grew up in what is now M40 as it goes. Moston cycles will look after you (tell ian dan sent you)- it llok like a cheapo bike shop but if you look closer he's got some quality stuff in there and is great for spares. gerry shields has a better range up in failsworth and are good, well established bike shop. Just don't get taking because YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE. GBH on (just off) Tibb st in town are cool for fixie builds and spares/repairs. Good luck!

 

[Peter88]

gerry shields has a better range up in failsworth and are good, well established bike shop. Just don't get taking because YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE.

Gerry Shields is a great shop went in last weekend for a new bottle cage and spent 2 hrs talking to Chris ( Gerry's son)!!!

 

[stephec]

Surosa have been recommended to me in the past.

 

[Bayerd]

Surosa have been recommended to me in the past.

Who by, the owners?

They know how to charge in there......

 

[Rosalind]

Thanks to evryone for your suggestions. I will certainly look into these shop recommendations.


Oh, in my original post I miss typed and said I want to go to a shop where I WILL be ripped off!!!! I ment of course WON'T be ripped off! LOL

 

[Bayerd]

Thanks to evryone for your suggestions. I will certainly look into these shop recommendations.


Oh, in my original post I miss typed and said I want to go to a shop where I WILL be ripped off!!!! I ment of course WON'T be ripped off! LOL

That'll be why Surosa was mentioned then......

 

[fossyant]

M40.....................what.......M60 likes................... .............doh you lot..............

Surosa in Oldham are by all accounts very good - also run by a couple of rather good cyclists (an understatement).......

Surosa is a specialist, but will get you what you want.


Evans at Trafford Centre are OK - also easy to access............ via a car..........

I bought two bikes (1 and a half really) from them this summer - got my wife a Pinnacle Stratos ladies bike (£500 ish) and a Trek tag along bike for my youngest.

The guy that sold us the bikes was one of the mechanics - I was asking all sorts (I know my bikes) and he did his best, but I could tell he knew his bike bits............ The only issues we had was at the till.............. but this is what you get sometimes.... Sound store, and they are a nice bunch there

 

[Rosalind]

Can I ask a question here about buying a bike from a LBS?

If I haven't ridden a bike for a while, I would need to test ride some before I made a purchase. For obvious reasons I wouldn't be able to do this inside the shop, but do the owners of these small LBS let you go off test riding bikes?

There would have to be some element of trust on their part in that I would come back with the bike and not just ride off into the sunset!!

Thanks.