Wiggle are being Nobs

caramel/foffa?

Mosquito are usually quite good (outside their refusal to allow bikes in). A bit up themselves but they can be helpful.

It's a bike shop in a very dodgy part of London - don't they think their customers might appreciate being able to bring their expensive (or if they bought it in Mosquito very, very expensive) bike inside where they can keep an eye on it?

Cliveo that's what you get for living in Canonbury - treated like a rich idiot.

When I said what I said, I didn't mean every shop in the world is better than every website. Of course web dealers tend to have lots of stock. Of course little bike shops don't. I think it would be ace to get things on order quickly from your LBS. Some do manage it.

At the moment I use Vaidas, London Bike Workshop, Union Cycle Works and BC, as they are all on my regular routes around town, or near home. None are perfect. But they still win, for me.

I think the web shops should really be our last resort. It's a shame that they're so easily able to undercut little local shops.

caramel/foffa?

Dani is always really helpful when I take my bike to his shop for fixing - generally because I've fiddled with something without going on Sheldon first, and messed it up. My next purchase will be a torque tool, I swear.

I have a gripe with Chain Reaction at the moment. They sold me an Aero frame and seatpost to go with said frame. They then didnt include the seatpost clamp.

Their email turnaround time is 2/5 days.

They said theyre checking to see if it was supposed to be included. They dont even sell the damn thing seperately, so basically if they dont have it, then this is waste of money and time.

wen jian dont fiddle with yourself,always let an expert like dani foffa do it for you and be passionate about it

It's a bike shop in a very dodgy part of London - don't they think their customers might appreciate being able to bring their expensive (or if they bought it in Mosquito very, very expensive) bike inside where they can keep an eye on it?

I know it's on Essex Road, but Islington is hardy "a very dodgy part of London".

....I think the web shops should really be our last resort. It's a shame that they're so easily able to undercut little local shops.

But why?

Len's post above got me thinking, and for the most part, other than immediate purchase (if it's a weekend) and being able to try clothes on, there don't seem to be many advantages. Is being able to walk into a shop and actually talk to someone is useful? Sometimes yes. But at least 50% of the time the people don't have a clue.

Mosquito are usually quite good (outside their refusal to allow bikes in). A bit up themselves but they can be helpful.

Mixed feelings about Mosquito. But then there's nothing new about bike snobs.

Mosquito are usually quite good (outside their refusal to allow bikes in). A bit up themselves but they can be helpful.

I've never been in, due to the no bike rule. I never will. They need to think about that.

You're a bike shop FFS, if you ran a bakery would you put a sign in the window saying no fat people? Get over yourselves!

It's a bike shop in a very dodgy part of London

I would also dispute this, although I live at the end of Essex Road so arguably I'm biased.

I also used to live in Harlesden though, so I do feel I'm qualified to make that judgement...

Interesting artical on chainreaction.

http://www.bike-eu.com/news/4747/spanish-dealers-take-stand-against-chainreactioncom.html?nb=bike&editie=01%20februari%202011&link=Spanish%20Dealers%20Take%20Stand%20against%20Chainreaction.com&WT.mc_id=mail_bike_01%20februari%202011

CRC have great customer service though. My favorite is Velosolo, they've always been more than helpful, even correcting me when I ordered the wrong length BB. My only local LBS is BicycleMagic in Whitechaple, which never has anything I need in stock.

www.prologuebikes.com

Best shop in London

Nah they're not. Their selection is too poor.

There is NO best shop in London. To fulfil your bike needs you end up having to go to several shops.

I would say a best shop would be a mix of:

• Brixton
  
• Tokyo Fixed
  
• Condor
  
• Bespoke
  
• BikeFix
  
• Putney Cycles
  
• Cyclefit
  
  

At least.

Have to agree with DK on this, I do like prologue, v helpful but limited range. I also like their sister shop, Giant in Twickenham but even more limited.

Am surprised that VB's list does not include 14 or at a stretch BLB

Was it DHcycles. I bought a saddle and a setpost off them, without issue.

No, I remember now. It was number1bikebits. Looks like they're not on eBay any more. Not surprised.

Nah they're not. Their selection is too poor.

There is NO best shop in London. To fulfil your bike needs you end up having to go to several shops.

I would say a best shop would be a mix of:

• Brixton
  
• Tokyo Fixed
  
• Condor
  
• Bespoke
  
• BikeFix
  
• Putney Cycles
  
• Cyclefit
  
  

At least.

I've never been to Brixton but obviously have heard great things about it and have huge respect for many who work there. I don't know BikeFix.

Other than that, that is an excellent list.

I took my bike to Cyclefit for servicing on Friday. Picked it up Friday evening. Like a new bike and they have even touched up the paint work. Excellence, at a price but excellence none the less.

After speaking to Phil I am now in two minds: Serota or Parlee....

And another thing. I would never consider buying a bike off the internet. Not even a beater or hybrid.

@hugo7 and fox - the litmus test. Would you be happy leaving your bike locked up but unattended on that bit of Essex Road?

I know I wouldn't and I worked and lived around there for a few years. Granted it's not Harlesden, but it isn't nice at all.

I've never been to Brixton but obviously have heard great things about it and have huge respect for many who work there. I don't know BikeFix.

Other than that, that is an excellent list.

I took my bike to Cyclefit for servicing on Friday. Picked it up Friday evening. Like a new bike and they have even touched up the paint work. Excellence, at a price but excellence none the less.

After speaking to Phil I am now in two minds: Serota or Parlee....

And another thing. I would never consider buying a bike off the internet. Not even a beater or hybrid.

Unless I want a bike from one of the big brands I have no choice but to buy from the net. It sucks.

Wiggle have been crap too many times to bother with anymore. Last effort was canceling the order for my winter boots. Didn't bother to tell me or anything (they have all the relevant details), I found out from my credit card statement when I'd been waiting for them for 10 days. Shisters.

I hauled a chaise longue down to Mosquito last summer - hottest day of the year too - and not only would they not let me take it in the shop they said they don't do upholstery. I shall not be going there again.

After speaking to Phil I am now in two minds: Serota or Parlee...

Parlee

@hugo7 and fox - the litmus test. Would you be happy leaving your bike locked up but unattended on that bit of Essex Road?

I know I wouldn't and I worked and lived around there for a few years. Granted it's not Harlesden, but it isn't nice at all.

I bought a flat on Essex Road, just down from Mosquito- it was my local bike shop for a while.

I was mugged opening my front door once, and would routinely pass burning scooters on the pavement as I walked to Islington Green.

We were also told (after we bought the place) that emergency crews hated the area as the local kids would aim lasers (the key fob things) into the eyes of the driver as they gave it the beans with the lights and sirens on.

I would not live there again. Cannonbury however I would, but a) I'd not leave my bike outside Mosquito, and b) I'd want Mosquito to get a lot less annoying before I gave them any money.

In other news- I ordered some shifters and front and rear mechs today.

Before I placed the order I phoned BC to see if they would like the business (£330), but it was actually less than their buy price plus VAT, so they understandably declined.

Fitzrovia formerly the bike shop known as Cavendish!!!

Also Push for anyone who lives north.

I hauled a chaise longue down to Mosquito last summer - hottest day of the year too - and not only would they not let me take it in the shop they said they don't do upholstery. I shall not be going there again.

I can help with this.

Will, if you had hauled it sofa, surely you could haul it home again.