London Bike Shop Poll, Appreciate your views

Guys, would like your input on this...

Do you think the range of bike shops in London currently reflects your needs and wants, im referring generally both to local bike shops & chains such as evans and cycle surgery as well as more specifically as a fixed rider, i.e Brick Lane Bikes, Fourteen, Condor etc...

Ive added a poll on this thread to assist with statistics but would appreciate your comments etc.

My perspective is, that there isn't one shop that caters for all my needs, i find myself going from bike shop to bike shop when looking for a part often having to revert to Wiggle or the likes to avoid compromising on the part i wanted.

While i want to be out riding my bike, i think shops, especially those specific to fixed should be little hubs, a way to indulge in your hobby, speak to like minded people, hang out, see what the latest happenings are and maybe pic up a part or accesory when required or as a treat.

The most pertinent example of this is LCB surf shop at the top of brick lane on bethnal green road.
http://www.lcbsurfstore.com/shop/default.aspx

Anyway, look forward to your opinions.
Cheers.

Tricky, my choice is between 1 and 2, i.e. "yes I'm content, even though I sometimes have to go to several". I don't often have to buy a load of stuff at once so I'm quite happy to ride around a few different shops when I need to, it's fun.

But I don't know any polish bike shops ;)

Having one bike shop to cater for everything would be the equivalent of a giant Sainsbury's. The beauty of the small independent retailers is that they cater for (not solely) specific niches. If you're trying to pick up some vintage piece drop by TdV (and grab a coffee whilst you're there). Want some technical apparel? Try Condor. Snazzy saddle? 14. etc etc. We are lucky to have a good selection of bike shops in London. Think of the Proles with nought but a Halfords for retail indulgence.

But I don't know any polish bike shops ;)

Classic thread title typo.

Well, it has long been recognised that the range of the dominant distributors (e.g., Madison, Chicken) of bike stuff into the UK has been quite limited, and this range is reflected in the bike shops. It's not really their fault--not everybody can set up a small specialist import business like Tokyo Fixed Gear or Tour de Ville. My expectation is that these small businesses will become larger and take their place next to the big importers. This is driven by (a) the growth in cycling in the UK, and (b) the growing diversity in cycling in the UK. The big companies can't necessarily deal with niche pursuits very well, e.g. they'll do an OTP fixed range, but not custom/recherché parts etc. We'll see. At present, I quite often don't find things I want, or I don't like what is on offer in the category of the thing that I want.

appreciate your input guys, and apologies for my awful but humerous typo.
keep em coming

I will pass 2 days in London next week-end... What are the places to go in terms of bike shops?

you're not from pignonfixe are you?

What are you after? A bike? what sort of bike? Mountain bike / bmx / fixie / roadie?

If you're after a fixie, what sort? A neon / fluo monstrosity, something expensive and sort-of japanese, something old-school?

whatever you do, don't buy anything off Gumtree or from brick lane market, it's probably nicked, and bad karma will kill you.