mustang1

There's the usual Evans and Cycle Surgery. I also know of Condor Cycles in Holborn (met Monty the other day ) - any other bike shops (and rough location) ?

Treefox

Condor is fairly legendary.

There's a place down in Brixton that's also legendary, if it's still there. But I haven't the faintest recollection what it's called.

Orbital57

The best Evans I've been to is the one on Spittalfields Market, for Cycle Surgery then Holborn is great, I also use Condor (since I ride one) and now that I'm in Clapham and trying out Duathlon I also go to SBR (Swim Bike Run) in Fulham, it may be a Tri shop but the staff are great and the shops large so has good bike stock.

I can think of 2 bike shops in Brixton, predictably Brixton Bikes and I believe Surly are based down there. Never been to either but London's couriers certainly love Surly enough...

Gematkinson

brick lane bikes

mustang1

Aaah Brixton. I can just imagine riding home my brand new Specialized Tarmac S-Works SL2 thru there. It'd probably be the most expensive thing on the road.

(Note: I have no such bike, just a dream).

markhr

+1 on Condor

https://www.condorcycles.com/store.html - quite possibly the best bike shop in london
https://www.condorcycles.com/history.html - since 1948




https://www.brixtoncycles.co.uk/news.html - a very good reputation

https://www.bikefix.co.uk/ - a good alternative if you know exactly what you want and don't mind ordering in




in my experience do not go anywhere near evans cycles (unless it's to try stuff on before buying at a real bike shop)

robjs

Geoffrey Butler Cycles (GBCycles) in Croydon is worth a look too.

ekimeno

Condor is probably the best in London - if not the nest bike shop I've been into. Edwardes is another good one in Camberwell. In north London there's also Shorter Rochford (Finchley and Potter's Bar).

+1 on avoiding Evans - really shoddy whichever one I've walked into. Also avoid Action Bikes

nescafe

sigma. good for tri stuff too. also, if you don't mind online, parker international, GB cycles and wiggle are those i used to (not based there anymore) order from regularly, no probs at all

the jackel

In central London you are best off with Condor although there lack of customer service is legendary. Otherwise South West London has Sigma Sport, who are very good, and a couple of other good shops around Sheen/Putney area ( Prologue is one name if I remeber correctly). If you are wanting to speak with knowledgable bike people you are noramlly best avoiding Evans in my experinece.

markhr

Care to explain, while I am a Condor fanboy, the only times I've heard of poor service is when they're busiest (lunchtimes and saturdays) and people have to wait to be served?

Generally they seem to be understaffed but the staff are the most knowledgeable, friendly and helpful I've come across in any of the London shops (evans, cycle surgery, action, onyourbike, cyclefit, bikefix, etc).

the jackel

I don't doubt that they know there stuff nor do I argue that they are probably the best in central London, as I suggested above. I have been to the shop several times, at different times of the day and week, and have never really had a good experience with them. They have never actively come and try to help me, if I ask for help it has seemed as if it is a real big effort and from memory these events have occured when the shop is very quiet and the staff are talking amongest themselves. My money is now spent at a shop that bends over backwards to be helpful, even when busy they still acknowledge you and even get guys from the workshop to help.

I am pretty certain that if you read some other bike forums you will get similar stories. I am sure they are good but I have just never experienced it nor have other cycling friends of mine.

markhr

fair enough - well thanks for the reply - I'll try and remember to mention that to either Grant or Greg when I go in there. No promises as I'm just another customer but they've always been open to suggestons.

You could try e-mail Greg/Grant with your observations and any complaints.

edit: for reference, what is the bike shop you go to?

the jackel

For what it's worth I shop at Sigma. No doubt there are some who echo my Condor thoughts when it comes to Sigma, you may well be one of them. I think good experiences with any LBS is helped when they know your face. I have to admit my first impressions with Sigma were not that great however it turns out that was just one member of staff who I believe no longer works there. I always get a "hello, how you doing, anything we can help you with" when I go in and if I have problems they get things sorted asap. They just seem geared up to help which is of course in their interest but it helps make you feel like a valued customer.

It is of course all subject. There are many people who think Evans or Bikehut/Halfords do a good job. They may well do but I'm just not one of them and I would rather care for my bike myself than give it to them.

ekimeno

When Condors get really busy their counter staff can understandably get a little off - especially if there's a cue five or six or more deep and there's only two of them at the tills - it does get a bit mad in there quite often. I'm not complaining, though - they always seem to have exactly what I need in stock.

The times I've gone in there when they're not too busy they've always had plenty of time for me. I also find their over the phone service excellent. They always ring back if I ask them to and always courteous.

That said, I have heard from one or two other cyclists I know say that they have had bad experiences with Condor. Guess I'm just lucky. Either that or I don't smell bad

acorn_user

Witcomb have some very nices bikes worth looking at