Let's see your local bike boutique.

[Globalti]

Bike boutiques are the new breed of fancy stores for people with money burning a hole in ther pocket and a yen to own something expensive, exclusive and "bespoke". They are the other end of the spectrum from long-established shops like Paul Hewitt Cycles in Leyland, Harry Hall in Manchester, or Ride On in Rawtenstall where I would go for proper advice or service.

Yesterday in Manchester I stumbled across this new one: http://cyclefit.co.uk/cyclefit-manchester "£250 for a laser-guided bike setup, Sir?"

Small, specialist but still with a boutiquey feel, just a stone's throw from Cyclefit in the fashionable Northern Quarter: http://www.keeppedalling.co.uk/

There's this Pinarello store in Deansgate: https://www.thebikerooms.com/

Further afield there's Beacon Bikes in Whalley, in the moneyed Ribble valley: http://www.beaconfell.com/

.....and not forgetting Rapha for designer gear: http://pages.rapha.cc/clubs/manchester

Will anybody on here admit to having bought anything from these shops? I wouldn't but I have to admit to an admiration for their style and the way they add value to their brands.

 

[steveindenmark]

I do not find anything wrong with these shops providing you get excellent service. I would rather pay the extra to get the service, rather than get jerked around by an LBS that dont know what they are doing.

 

[Globalti]

Generally I think long-established small LBSs are run by people who do know their stuff; it's the in-betweenies, the bike superstores, where you are served by employees with little bike or customer service experience, where you are likely to get poor service. As an exception I would say Decathlon's bike staff are usually well trained, helpful and competent.

 

[mustang1]

I enjoy visiting these kinds of stores but have never bought anything from them. I love looking around in their spacious surroundings; see how much space there is between each bike on display as opposed to cramming it all in? Very suitable for fatties like me!

Reminds me of the Lamborghini sales guy part in Bad Boys II ...

 

[vickster]

The coffee in the Rapha store in London is amongst the worse I've ever drunk and extremely pricy. This is quite an achievement as I've been to US lots of times and we all know how delicious American coffee can be . I won't be going back to pay £3 for a thimble full of bitter sludge!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

We've got a new cycle café in the High Street. Lots of single speeds in there, making about 80% of the bikes they sell. Friendly and I like their coffee though I've no idea about their cake - it's hard building up a healthy appetite during the 300 yard walk there. They don't do fittings as far as I know but there are mechanics around. Having borrowed one of their tools a couple of weeks ago, I've promised to take my bike in when something proper needs doing so I'll have a better idea when I do.

A very welcome addition to the high street.

 

[steveindenmark]

The coffee in the Rapha store in London is amongst the worse I've ever drunk and extremely pricy. This is quite an achievement as I've been to US lots of times and we all know how delicious American coffee can be . I won't be going back to pay £3 for a thimble full of bitter sludge!

The hot chocolate at Ribe cycles in Denmark is free. Its Denmarks largest cycle store in Denmarks oldest town. A popular stop off point on the NSCR. Packed with bikes from toddlers bikes to £3000 + time trial bikes. Super service and not too far from me.

 

[vickster]

I don't think Rapha's business model involves giving away anything for free...especially when the MAMILs and tourists will pay through the nose for their stuff

 

[3narf]

I visited Bicicellia? in Birmingham, not once but twice.

Of course I bought something! A cup of tea and a Cadbury's Twirl.

 

[Booyaa]

I visited Bicicellia? in Birmingham, not once but twice.

Of course I bought something! A cup of tea and a Cadbury's Twirl.

Where abouts is that? I may pop in if it is central enough.

 

[3narf]

Yes, it's right in the middle! Just up the hill from Evans.