United Kingdom - Where in South East / Central England to get a bike?

I would like to get involved in some racing and so am seriously considering getting a brand new road bike (my current is an onloan 20 year old Rahleigh :o ) but I am struggling to find a local source which caters specifically for racing bikes. I will be spending in the region of £1200-1400 on a racing geometry bike. This purchase will be as important to me as would be purchasing a car or house; given the cost, importance of correct fit and an expectation that it will be with me atleast 5 years.

I currently live in Cambridge, but am willing to travel to find a specialist cycling shop that can meet these criteria:

- Has excellant customer service, with highly qualified staff who can expertly find a great fitting frame.
- Stocks major brands. Trek, Speacialised, Focus, Felt. I particularly like the Italian brands such as Bianchi, Cervelo and De Rosa.
- Is in London, Canterybury, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Peterborough or Norwich. Or any where in between these areas. You get the idea. ;)

I have not settled on any specific models for my shortlist, though this may change as I research more on the internet, through contacts in my club and friends who ride.

Thank you in advance if any one can help. :)

Sigma Sport in Kingston is where I usually go. I've heard Condor cycles in London are pretty good as well.

I would assume you be able to find something that fits the bill in Norwich or Peterborough.

Thank you Johnny Monkey. While I could type bike shops into yell.com / google and track down some that stock the brands I seek, I would much rather go on personal recommendation for the increased likelihood that I will get to deal with some people who know what they're talking about.

I have just asked a colleague who lives up that way and has a mate who's into cycling (belongs to a club etc...) and his mate recommends Pedal Revolution in Norwich. http://www.pedalrevolution.co.uk/

It should be a bit closer to where you live anyway.

Thank you, I will check them out. :)

I originally bought my MTB from my LBS but after it was stolen, it was replaced by Evans, I also bought my Bianchi road bike from them and get both bikes serviced by them... I find them generally friendly and helpful especially for beginners and intermediates, I suspect they're less good for advanced people

My mum uses cyclesurgery on a regular basis (near her work) and I think the quality of their servicing is slightly better. I can't comment on sales of bikes, I bought a TimBuk2 from them and they were helpful...


Evans stock; Spec, Trek, Bianchi, Cannondale, Pinnacle, LeMond and others...
www.evanscycles.com
Cycle Surgery stock Giant, Wilier, Spec,
www.cyclesurgery.com

Both have a lot of branches, Evans in London and out... check the site

I went into Phil Corleys Cycles in Milton Keynes at the weekend for my MTB and found that they have gone back to their roots and primarily focusing more on road bikes again with (to the untrained eye) they had a fairly good selection. A good bunch of guys.

http://www.philcorleycycles.co.uk/

Paul Hewitt is highly regarded and as well as bikes does build the wheels for the British Racing Team.