Question for the MTB Riders

[Allen]

What on-line stores do you use when purchasing parts, tools, clothing and other MTB related products?

Or, if you live around South-West London, what stores do you go to to browse/buy goods relating to MTB?

I would like to get some bits to repair my bike but the only stores I know near me are Evans Cycles in Kingston (haven't actually visited the store, but browsed the web site, wasn't too impressed) and another small shop in Kingston, something like Thames Cycles, can't remember so therefore wanna know what decent online stores there are.

Cheers.

[MantisCSS]

chain reaction cycles

[edavies87]

I can second chain reaction cycles, they're northern ireland based but v.quick, also try waddles cycles or wiggle!

Ed

[chrestomanci]

chain reaction cycles

Second vote for chain reaction, I have also had good experences with Merlin Cycles.

Having said that, I have a good local bike shop, and usualy go there. I value their advice and service, and want to support them rather save the last few £ on parts. Most good bike shops will also give a discount of 10% or so to regular costomers or members of a club.

Of course, if you can't find a decent bike shop localy, (and some are quite bad), then Chain Reaction would be a good choice.

[limpduck]

http://www.extrauk.co.uk/dealers.php (dont mention the bugs, or them jelly beans) should find your local dealer, you can also browse the site and check the new stuff your local dealers can now get.


i have to recomend wiggle

[5lab]

evans is pretty good, otherwise use wiggle or crc. the 2nd hand forums on singletrackworld.co.uk are very good.

[Allen]

Thanks, appreciate the replies guys. I'll be checking all of them out after dinner and can hopefully make some purchases.

[herulach]

wiggle, merlin, leisure lakes, crc (although id be wary about shimano gear from there, as a lot is grey import, or at least was), wollyhatshop and t.s.cycles on ebay depends what you want really. If you can find a good lbs its worth the extra money for the service, not having to wait around for delivery to arrive and general nice atmosphere +free coffee while browsing.

[UKMuFFiN]

Stif good customer service

[herulach]

Stif good customer service

If you like, stif are my localest bike shop (the one i use is about a mile further away) and they are terrible in person, usually wait at the counter at least 5 minutes before the dodgy mbuk yoof comes and serves you, staff have little to no technical knowledge (with a couple of exceptions, although thats true of a lot of places). They actually had the cheek to tell me i was putting my shoes on wrong the other week (shimano winter boots, goretex liner coming off is a known problem), pretty much everyone i ride with thats used them has had a bad experience or three and sworn off them, except one guy, but everytime he goes in he spends about a grand, so hes guaranteed good service.

</rant>

[starbuck]

Wiggle have always been good(and give a discount if you buy over a certain amount of gear a year). Think I'm slightly biased though as before it went mail order, Wiggle used to be my local bike shop back when it was known as butlers cycles.

One thing I like about wiggle the most is that you tend to get reviews on most items(staff and magazine reviews).

Go to bikemagic.com as the site and forums give tips and advice and review other online sites as well.

[monkeyville]

Wiggle always does what i need and usually cheap too

[jagster]

i also recomend chain reaction and also stif, they are both very good cycle retailers and i have bought items off both and have fast postage and good customer service on returns

[fredered]

wiggle have been goood for me, along with my local [ ok 25 miles away] bike shop

[oshta]

Ussaully go to my local shop tbh, certainly for "expesive bits"
- But ive used wiggle before now. Main problem is the decrtions are usally poor, but there returns system is probelm free, i usally return about 1 in 3 items for full refund, just lose the 82p postage...


Daniel

[jamiecockrill]

edinburgh bicycle company have always been pretty good to me, as have evans cycles.