Descent bike shop in Taunton?

[toekneep]

We are taking a break on our round Britain cycle tour. We are staying with my sister in Taunton for a week and I could do with changing the chain and rear casette. Can anybody recommend where to go?

Thanks

 

[Wafer]

Can't say I've used any of them enough to really give a decent recommendation but I've gotten on fine with The Bicycle Chain http://www.bicyclechain.co.uk/ they were most helpful when buying my Synapse recently and with a couple of things since.

Otherwise there's Ralph Colman, http://www.ralphcolman.co.uk/, who apparently are really good if you speak to the right people, I usually seem to get the semi knowledgeable assistants though

Oh, Kings Cycles http://www.kingscycles.co.uk/stores/taunton/ were good for my Specialized. Not been in there for a fair while though especially as I decided fairly quickly I wasn't going to pay the Specialized premium for a new bike!

All at at the same end of town, Kings and Ralph Colman are within a couple hundred meters of each other.

 

[Brandane]

Descent bike shop in Taunton?

Try Halfords; they are going downhill rapidly!

 

[toekneep]

Well that was an interesting experience. Thanks for you reponses.
I went to Bicycle Chain first. Explained that we were in the middle of a six month tour and just passing through and that I needed a new chain and rear casette fitting. The assistant showed absolutely not a flicker of interest in our story, looked up his workshop schedule and said we can do it a week on Thursday. Obviously that isn't much use to us as I explained but he wasn't interested. Then went to Ralph Colman's where I had a little bit of difficulty getting their new boy/holiday lad or whatever he was to understand what I wanted but once over that they were great. The mechanic said that really he couldn't do it until Friday but he would do his best to get it ready by Thursday. Can't ask for much more than that so no points to Bicycle Chain and nine out of ten to Ralph Colman.

 

[Wafer]

Glad it's getting sorted, it is so hit and miss depending on who you speak to
Part of the reason I bought a Cannondale Synapse from Bicycle Chain instead of a Whyte Dorset from Ralph Colman was because of the people I spoke to at the time.

 

[Bodhbh]

I've rarely been in a bike shop to have them fix something and they've been able to fit it anytime soon. A couple of exceptions - Halfords have done it - as did the LBS in Watford (Cyclopedia iirc). Sometimes saying you're 'on tour', 'leaving on tour next week', etc., works, sometimes it doesn't. Good you got it sorted - I'd get a chain whip and sort it yourself next time tho, it pays for itself pretty quickly. Did they say how much they're charging?

 

[toekneep]

I have a chain whip at home but don't carry it on tour. Maybe we have been lucky but we have had jobs done 'there and then' at three bike shops on our travels so far so it can be done. In one case at Locks of Sandwich the owner stayed behind in the evening to repair a pannier for us. Exceptional service.

 

[Nigeyy]

Sadly your experience has been why I've become a self taught mechanic on any part of a bicycle over the years. I just didn't want to depend on a. the schedule of a. a bike shop, and b. the questionable knowledge of someone doing the work. Quickly realized I trusted myself far more to do a decent job in the time frame I wanted.

But I know you were in a bind -you could try this in future: http://harriscyclery.net/product/unior-pocket-cassette-cracker-lock-ring-tool-2456.htm or the Pamir Hypercracker (not sure they are made anymore though). I have the Unior with me when I go touring, just in case (more so for if I need to replace broken spokes). Really putting on a cassette and chain (assuming some form of quick link) is trivial and I think one that is achievable on the road. Hopefully you got sorted out! And good luck with the tour, sounds really nice.

Edit: this isn't any good for free wheels though

 

[toekneep]

Well Ivan, the mechanic at Ralph Colman really came up trumps. I had a call this morning at 8:50am to say the job was done and I could collect the bike. They also did us a special deal because we are raising money for charity. Top bloke and top shop. I have raised their score to ten out of ten.

 

[Peteaud]

My nearest town.

Kings - forget, rude and only really do spesh.
Colemans (near the train station, pretty good in fairness to them although it does depend on who you get. Give them a chance tho and they will price match.

Bicycle chain, as per colemans, ive had good service from them most of the time.

If you are anywhere near Exeter check out partridge cycles just for drooling.

 

[AlanTh]

Six Cycles had a good reputation in Taunton.

 

[Globalti]

Why on Earth don't you buy the simple tools and change your own chain and cassette? That way you won't be forced to put your precious bike into the hands of the clowns at the shops and you'll be able to fix breakdowns.

 

[psmiffy]

Why on Earth don't you buy the simple tools and change your own chain and cassette? That way you won't be forced to put your precious bike into the hands of the clowns at the shops and you'll be able to fix breakdowns.

Simples - changing a cassette is generally a once in a long tour thing - if you have to go to a bike shop for a cassette you might just as well let them change it

Im no weight weeny but carrying conventional tools for changing a cassette are a bit much - I carry a hypercracker but have never used it in anger (apart from tightening the cassette once when i managed to back it off when back pedalling when the cassette got bunged up with baler twine)

 

[Big Nick]

Really surprised that any bike shop would turn you down/make you wait for such a quick and easy task

Its a 10 minute job at most and given your predicament you'd think they would just do it straight away for you

Makes me even more likely to carry on doing/learning my own jobs

 

[Globalti]

The bike shops I patronise are quite happy to allow people to borrow tools for quick simple jobs, as long as they don't leave the shop.