Good shop to buy a bike (Scotland)

[aberal]

It is not IMO really worth the trip through to Edinburgh

But the Coop also do their own brand bikes, which are worth looking at, depending on the budget. I agree - the first stop should be the Weegie shops, but if he fancies a trip through to Embra the bike shops here are pretty good and worth a day out IMO.

 

[HLaB]

What about the likes of Billy Bisland's in Glasgow, or one of the small shops in the west end, the one at KelvinBridge, or the one just off Byers Road for example? (sorry I can't remember what they are called, but you can find them all if you type 'Glasgow Bike Shops' into Google (its hardly rocket surgery)

Personally, when I get a tourer, I'll probably get it from my local LBS (except for H******S), Magic Cycles in Bowling.

I would buy from a smaller shop than one which has several chains (pardon the pun) around the country and clearly doesn't need my custom. Besides, you don't need to go all the way to Edinburgh to get a bike, I mean, come on!

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!

When I bought my last bike I went all the to Glasgow but I wanted a specific bike at an OK price and Billy Bilsland has a good name, but I'd agree the OP would be better to find something closer to home, even if just for a more convenient after service.

 

[westcoaster]

You live in Inverclyde. Why not pop into your LBS, Aerobikes in West Blackhall St. Greenock. Allan, the owner is a top bloke and he and his assistant Mark could not be more helpful. Tell him what you're looking for and he could build it for you.
Bob

 

[boydj]

Still close to home, there is Dooley's in Paisley. Only a short hop on the train from Inverclyde. Excellent LBS, with a good range of bikes.

 

[jann71]

+1 for Aerobikes, Dooleys, Qbikes in Johnstone, Dales, Evans @ Braehead, Behind Bars, Magic Cycles use all of these shops.

Also Phillips cycles in Gourock who I haven't used but they have nice road bike in the window.

 

[Moby Jones]

Aerobics, I had completely forgotten about them. The 12 months interest free credit payment option maybe a deal breaker though. I would like to try some specific bikes before I buy and I know that some smaller shops do not stock these. I will Def pop into aerobics and see if they can help me out

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[ammwhite]

Aerobics, I had completely forgotten about them. The 12 months interest free credit payment option maybe a deal breaker though. I would like to try some specific bikes before I buy and I know that some smaller shops do not stock these. I will Def pop into aerobics and see if they can help me out

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Hi Moby,

I also live in Inverclyde and have recent experience of buying several road bikes!

Last year I bought my Bianchi road bike from Evans at Braehead, having previously bought a couple of others bikes from them. I was quite happy with the service from them - they let me test ride both the Bianchi and a Fuji for comparison, and I got 10% off the price on the Bianchi. I have generally had a good experience at Evans, altho' some staff are better than others.

In the last couple of weeks we bought new road bikes for my wife and son. My son (10 years old) got a Dawes Espoir 24 from Dales in Glasgow - the main reason for buying from Dales was they had the bike in stock and on sale at a great price. It's the first bike I've bought from Dales, but I was very happy with the service from them.

Finally, my wife bought a Boardman road bike from Halfords at Braehead - this was a bit of an impulse buy as we just went in for a look! However, I have been impressed with the bike so far, and it does appear to be very good value, with a Tiagra/105 mix for £560. The sales person in Halfords was not very knowledgeable, and my wife didn't get a test ride, but has been very happy with her new bike! Also, they had the bike in stock and we got it the same day (compared to Dales, who although they had the bike in stock it took 4 days to get it built up), however, when we got it home th handlebars were loose and I had to tighten up stem.

Edited to add: I also got 12 months interest free credit from Evans on my Bianchi.

cheers,
Andy

 

[Moby Jones]

Hi Moby,

I also live in Inverclyde and have recent experience of buying several road bikes!

Last year I bought my Bianchi road bike from Evans at Braehead, having previously bought a couple of others bikes from them. I was quite happy with the service from them - they let me test ride both the Bianchi and a Fuji for comparison, and I got 10% off the price on the Bianchi. I have generally had a good experience at Evans, altho' some staff are better than others.

In the last couple of weeks we bought new road bikes for my wife and son. My son (10 years old) got a Dawes Espoir 24 from Dales in Glasgow - the main reason for buying from Dales was they had the bike in stock and on sale at a great price. It's the first bike I've bought from Dales, but I was very happy with the service from them.

Finally, my wife bought a Boardman road bike from Halfords at Braehead - this was a bit of an impulse buy as we just went in for a look! However, I have been impressed with the bike so far, and it does appear to be very good value, with a Tiagra/105 mix for £560. The sales person in Halfords was not very knowledgeable, and my wife didn't get a test ride, but has been very happy with her new bike! Also, they had the bike in stock and we got it the same day (compared to Dales, who although they had the bike in stock it took 4 days to get it built up), however, when we got it home th handlebars were loose and I had to tighten up stem.

Edited to add: I also got 12 months interest free credit from Evans on my Bianchi.

cheers,
Andy

Very interesting, maybe i will need to take a trip up to Braehead. I have spoken to Aerobikes and Phillips and neither do the interest free payment, this is a deal breaker for me. Can i ask how much you paid for your bike?

 

[ammwhite]

Very interesting, maybe i will need to take a trip up to Braehead. I have spoken to Aerobikes and Phillips and neither do the interest free payment, this is a deal breaker for me. Can i ask how much you paid for your bike?

My bike is a Bianchi Via Nirone 7 with 105 ... basically the 2010 version of this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-105-compact-2011-road-bike-ec025812

It was £1024.99 in Evans, and I got 10% off that, so £923. Glad I bought it last year, as it looks like the prices have gone up, plus I preferred last years colour scheme!

Actually, I just found last years model still available online for £900:
http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/product/31881/Bianchi_2010_C2C_NIRONE_7_ALU_105_mix_COMP