Originally Posted by Rowan

Mark Bowden at Appleby's is great. He's training up for a tilt at the world masters in October. Always ask for him if you need help. Tell him I sent you. Ray's OK is you get him on a good day. And oddly, despite his brusque demeanour in the shop, he always acknowledges others on the bike.

Chris at Ken Self's is OK; I think he was Ray's head wrench before going out on his own, but I've found him on occasion to be equally unhelpful as you portray Ray. And his range is limited. And he still tries to flog off year-old bikes at new prices.

Oh well, horses for courses.