How about Cycle Republic's bikes and services?

[solepiano]

My friend recommended me to buy bikes in Cycle Republic since it serves professional bikes. But I am not familiar with Cycle Republic. Does anyone who has bought bikes in Cycle Republic? How about the quality of bikes and services there?

 

[mjr]

Cycle Republic are basically smaller Half odds stores. https://www.theguardian.com/busines...iler-specialist-bicycle-shops-uk-cycling-boom

There's one in Norwich. Didn't sell the simple bottle cage I wanted. Not entirely convinced they understood the concept of a handlebar bottle cage. Went to Evans instead. Not tried CR again.

 

[NorthernDave]

A new one opened in Leeds city centre a few weeks ago, with no fanfare at all as far as I can tell.
Not been in yet as it's in a bit of an odd place to get to (it's a former Morrison's Local supermarket) , whereas my local Halfords is right on the (missing bit of) the Cycle Superhighway...

 

[Old jon]

Bought my fixed from there last month, the shop @NorthernDave mentioned. I do not know who assembled the bike, Quella in Cambridge or Cycle Republic. The front brake cable was very badly run, OK a ten minute fix, and the seatpost did not hold the saddle at all well. Cycle Republic replaced that with one that worked. The place seems quite busy and efficient. I cannot comment on the quality or longevity of the bike, I have only ridden it 45 miles or so. Why did I buy from them? They had the only single speed I had seen with mudguard mounts. As an added bit, the frame also has pannier mounts, should I ever need them.

 

[vickster]

My Boardman team CX came from CycleRepublic in Purley, no complaints. 6 week check at more local Halfords. The CR much larger than the bike area at Halfords, it's a big well stocked store, not much different to a decent sized Evans. So is the Twickenham one

 

[jefmcg]

It's Halfords, but cycle orientated. The sell more of the decent bikes that Halfords sell, and less of the crap ones. There is a requirement of employees to learn to ride (if they don't) and you can actually get a test ride, which Halfords don't.

It's quite possible to get a decent bike from there, but there are slightly greater chance that you won't compared to some better bike shops. There are also worse shops.

 

[vickster]

Nowt wrong with CycleRepublic, and you can get a lovely 10% discount too if you're a British Cycling member as well under the Halfords discount scheme

 

[mjr]

Nowt wrong with CycleRepublic, and you can get a lovely 10% discount too if you're a British Cycling member as well under the Halfords discount scheme

But remember that that lovely 10% discount is funded by such dirty moves as not contributing to the Bike Hub community grants fund, unlike good local bike shops

 

[jay clock]

I have been in two branches of CR in London and they seem to have decent products and staff who knew what they were talking about.

 

[Shaun]

I've removed a number of posts (with apologies to those trying to be helpful).

If someone posts a thread here that they have similarly posted on other sites it is not our concern. People are free to canvas opinion from anywhere they like. If you don't wish to reply on the basis you've offered advice to the OP elsewhere, that's fine, but please allow other members to respond if they wish.

Thanks,
Shaun

 

[rivers]

I've never bought a bike at cycle republic, but I've bought smaller bits and had my bike serviced through them. I have no complaints, their staff are professional. And their own brand kit "bike hut" seems well built for a decent price. I have some of their lights and a turbo.

 

[J1888]

Overall fairly good experiences; bought cycling clothes etc from there in the sales and you can pick up some excellent deals, especially with BC discount, got a Sportful Gruppetto Team jersey for £30 for example.

Bought my Boardman Team Carbon from there too; staff were very helpful. BUT...the front derailleur was never right for some reason, they'd fix and then it would revert back to not changing from rear to front cog after about 2 weeks. Took it to a repair shop who fitted a new cable and it's now good as gold, so guessing that it wasn't fitted properly originally.

All in all, I'd say they're a good store - would buy stuff from there before Evans any day of the week.

 

[mythste]

The folks in the Manchester store have always been super helpful. Little things like they didn't have rim tape I desperately needed so one of the mechanics fitted some electrical tape free of charge to get me home! They also seem keen to make sure people know about any big price match differentials before just throwing things through the till.

Top marks.

 

[jay clock]

The folks in the Manchester store have always been super helpful. Little things like they didn't have rim tape I desperately needed so one of the mechanics fitted some electrical tape free of charge to get me home! They also seem keen to make sure people know about any big price match differentials before just throwing things through the till.

Top marks.

slightly worrying not having something that basic....

 

[mythste]

slightly worrying not having something that basic....

It was just out of stock. But I suppose you're right. They did the best they could given the situation and I'm happy with that