United Kingdom - Where to buy MOUNTAIN BIKES (hardtail) in London?

Hi all,

After about three years of saving, I'm ready to buy my first hardtail and get into the world of MTB :) Problem is, most of the (good) cycle shops in London are road-bike oriented, makes sense I suppose.

I would like a decent store that will let me take bikes out for test rides, will provide a decent level of after-sales service, and is cheap! ;) I'm trying to avoid chain stores like Evans. So far, I've got Brixton Cycles and am visiting them tomorrow, but it would be good to visit some other stores and see what they have to offer also.

I am really tempted by the Focus bikes series on Wiggle for their outstanding value, but know that I would be cheating myself if I got a bike based on specs only and didn't test it out.

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't bother with online sales for bikes as fitting would become a problem. Better off with Evans, At least you know the bike fits you!!!

I bought my scale 35 from Evans in notts, a shorter stem and riser bar, the bike fits perfectly. And the service was excellent, I'm such a fussy b#####d, I was in their an hour and half before I decided on a bike!

if you dont mind coming out of london for about 30 miles i would give cyclecare in high wycombe a try i have known simon the owner for a good few years all the staff are bikers and arnt led by profit they give good honest opinions

Plenty of shops in London-- even that one man business just off the high street in any town. No need to go to a big shop unless you are set on a Focus. If you are-- Find a focus dealer.

Have to agree about Evans but they do carry the range of bikes that will suit you- and they do have competitive prices on a lot of their bikes. Just find the right salesman in the shop.

Geoff Butler cycles in Croydon had a shop called Cycles Unlimited. Geoff butler was road bikes and Cycles Unlimited the mountain bikes. He sold cycles Unlimited and it is now under another name but still open- still MTB orientated and still in business. No idea of the address but perhaps Geoff Butler can inform you.

The staff are still there and they are helpfull but Croydon does seem to have a lot of "Good" cycles shops in the area.

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/

Hi pm63,

I'm a londoner too :) not really into MTB but know a shop which specialises in it, theres a branch of Evans in Waterloo, which specialises specifically in MTBs.. The shop a few blocks away for roadies.
Here's the link if ya interested:

http://www.evanscycles.com/stores/Waterloo-Road

your best bet is to go into a shop and say your wanting to buy and get sized-up on a bike and then take those measurements back home with you to find a bike online your size :-)