Decent bike shops around Kingston ?

[The Walrus]

okgo said:

Had a look in the new Specialized concept shop, first impressions were; it looks nice, its very similar in layout/appearance to the Sigma shop (who own the concept shop I understand?) and that they obviously have every bike the brand makes, as you would expect.

Thought it was an odd choice for a couple of reasons, Evans is next door and probably stock 50-60% of the bikes they do and have been around longer. Its about a ten minute walk from the new Sigma, which is all conquering, why did they want to put another one there?

Or is it just a game, what bike shop can get nearest to the holy grail that is Richmond Park, I reckon opening a shop at the entrance of that would be a freaking goldmine!

Correct sigma run it etc, but to be fair to it have you been in the Evans recently as when I went in after christmas they had very few roads bikes above the £1500 mark, lots of entry level stuff, walked out after having a browse very dissapointed.

[okgo]

Yeh, but that is what I meant, 60% of Specialized stuff is probably less than £2000, and Evans have it all. And if you're going to spend £5k, are you going to go there? probably not, you'll probably go to the new sigma

[The Walrus]

True I did question it when I heard about it but they have the support of a gentlemen who has lots of succesfull experience in retail so you would think they know if there is or is not a market for it ?

As for Evans I see you eventually got some joy out of them on your forks but I felt from my more recent and previous visits they don't care or seem to be interested in selling you a bike, the Spez store did though and do offer discounts and were very helpful when I visited.

[okgo]

Evans are pony, no doubt, but I didn't have a choice. I'm meant to be going in there tonight to get my crown race and mounting bolt back so I can put them on my new eastons, but no doubt something will go wrong.

the mechanic sounded mexican, I asked if he would be there later, he assured me he would, but I don't trust them.

[The Walrus]

okgo said:

Evans are pony, no doubt, but I didn't have a choice. I'm meant to be going in there tonight to get my crown race and mounting bolt back so I can put them on my new eastons, but no doubt something will go wrong.

the mechanic sounded mexican, I asked if he would be there later, he assured me he would, but I don't trust them.

For some reason I was expecting a punch line at the end of that, don't ask me why something about mexi-cant

[The Walrus]

Can anyone comment on either Bikelab or Prologue in richmond and sheen ?

[itsnotarace]

Have dealt with Clive at Bikelab in Dorset before, very helpful and knows his stuff. No direct experience with their London branch though.

[DaiMichael]

The Walrus said:

Can anyone comment on either Bikelab or Prologue in richmond and sheen ?

I can't recommend Prologue in Sheen enough, they are friendly, helpful and the mechanics work in the shop front so you can have a chat, they are also open on Sat/Sun. I have bought a Cube for the wife (they spent a lot of time fitting her for the bike and changed stems etc.. to get it just right and gave a good deal), they helped me cut my forks and setup my headset for next to nothing on my home built bike, I just turned up on the day and the mechanics gave me 30 minutes of their time, awesome, proper old school service. I live in Richmond but go down to Sheen.

Bikelab have only been open a couple of weeks, I popped in last weekend to have a look around, I didn't talk to anyone and I wasn't looking to buy anything but I was a little underwhelmed.

Edited by DaiMichael on Wednesday 2nd February 09:08

[The Walrus]

Thanks for that will pop in and see what they are about, I am looking at the cube agree GTC SL / Race and wanted to see if there is a discernable difference

[okgo]

Be quick!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127...

[The Walrus]

Nice if the bugger was not in Liverpool damn it !! right size as well I think ? 32 inside leg and 6ft dead are my measurements.

Edited by The Walrus on Tuesday 8th February 16:55

[cervelo]

pearsons in sutton or corridori near epsom, both family run and will provide a good honest customer service. not as trendy as sigma but depends what you want.

[The Walrus]

Cheers Cervelo I have heard good things regarding Pearsons and the corridori in Epsom.

[The Walrus]

DaiMichael said:

I can't recommend Prologue in Sheen enough, they are friendly, helpful and the mechanics work in the shop front so you can have a chat, they are also open on Sat/Sun. I have bought a Cube for the wife (they spent a lot of time fitting her for the bike and changed stems etc.. to get it just right and gave a good deal), they helped me cut my forks and setup my headset for next to nothing on my home built bike, I just turned up on the day and the mechanics gave me 30 minutes of their time, awesome, proper old school service. I live in Richmond but go down to Sheen.

Edited by DaiMichael on Wednesday 2nd February 09:08

Would you mind telling me what kind of deal they did, were they negotiable on price or was it stuff they threw in ?

PM me if you prefer

Edited by The Walrus on Wednesday 9th February 10:54