Best bike shop in Dublin?

SteamTrean

Hi, I have been cycling a hybrid bike for about year now, I have recently moved jobs and my journey has gotten slightly longer. My bike is starting to sound as though it's nearly had it and I want to buy a new one. These guys that zip passed me on the N11 on their road bikes have made my mind up.. I want one!

Where will I go? I would be willing to spend a grand, maybe more for a decent one but can someone tell me where the best place to spend my money is, or should I go 2nd hand?

wowy

If you wanted a very nice 2nd hand racer, and was willing to wait until October (when the racing season is over), you could pick one up then for a reasonable price. Otherwise my recommendation would be Hollingsworth cycles in Kilmacud. I've found it to be a great shop for anything. Joe in there may also be able to help you out with a 2nd hand if you were waiting. Another option would be the bike rack in Cabinteely, they're not bad for buying stuff, but I'd never take my bike back there for a service. It's just my bike always seems to get looked at by the young guys who work part-time and don't seem to be totally competent. Just my experiences.

Titiritero

That question is tricky, as everybody will just tell their own story, and the shop that for me is great, for the next person is just sh*te or the other way around.

In my opinion (personal and subjective as it can be):

-shops in the city centre are usually quite busy. That means that when you need a repair you may need a week or longer to get the bike back

-this is the worst time of the year to buy a bike. Beginning of the summer, everybody wants to ride, so more demand in the bike shops, less capacity for bargaining, longer waiting time to get the model you want, etc. Same goes for second hand, harder to find in this season. If you can wait till September, loads of those people will get rid of their bikes, while shops will start offloading the 2007 models to make room for the newer, flashier, better, lighter, bla, bla, bla models for 2008.

-a 1,000 eur bike is a lot of a bike considering you´ve been only cycling for a year. You can get a very decent bike for half of that (500) and save the rest for other gear or upgrades (or drink! )

Whatever you do, shop around. Check as well if they take your hybrid as a trade-in. Good luck!

Civilian_Target

How about you just buy a good new hybrid? I can keep pace with most lycra riders on my trusty road warrior (or maybe tank is a better description) - it's not light but it does roll well and it's pretty near invincible, which might be more useful for your purposes.

cunnins4

I haven't been impressed with cycleways of late. I bought my hardrock there - but i can't stand going into that shop. If i'm buying a tube/brake pads/something equally as trivial and routine they're all over me like a bad rash. Then when I actually need them there's never anyone to be found. (twice in the last month) Their maintenance dept seems to be well run though, and there's a polish lad (i think he's polish) and he's dead sound and very eager to help. The lads up on the sales floor seem more interested in selling specialized gear than getting what's right for you. That's just my impression, but others may have different views.

Cyclelogical on the otherhand, i used to hate, but last summer i bought a fair few bits and bobs off them and they were very helpful, and always threw in a few energy gels for free if i was getting a few of them with whatever i was buying.

Cyclesuperstore seems to be well run if their website's anything to go by. They have a free loyalty card, just sign up online and you get reduced prices. I'm hoping to splash out on a road bike in about 3 weeks and i'm gonna go out to them and see how it goes.

Dunno about anywhere out near Dundrum, but that's my 2c for what it's worth!:)

ruprect

Civilian_Target wrote:

How about you just buy a good new hybrid? I can keep pace with most lycra riders on my trusty road warrior (or maybe tank is a better description) - it's not light but it does roll well and it's pretty near invincible, which might be more useful for your purposes.

I second that, in fact I can go faster on a hybrid than a road bike since the comfort allows a more even pace, without having to slow, stand up and dodge all the crap you encounter on the N11. The only guys who usually pass me are breaking the law (i.e. not using the mandatory cycle tracks and putting their life in the hands of taximen and homicidal busmen.)

I would buy my bike online to save several 100, go get fitted up here in a shop, and buy some equipment if you feel guilty about doing that.

kmick

First off I am not telling you what my favourite bike shop is. I don't want you all using it. However I have used the following and have no complaints
Rathgar Cycle Shop
Templeogue Cycle Shop
Commuting Solution Rathmines
Cycleways Parnell Street

I would say borrow a road bike and try before you buy. It is not a good bike for short or meduim commutes to work. They are very fast but they are unstable, the cycling position is uncomfortable (you have to constantly look up), it CANNOT handle bumps or potholes, very easy to damage, not suitable for town riding imho (too fast). Watch out is my advice.

I bought a second hand one for 300 and ended it up selling it for 150 about three months later. You have been warned.

Alternative:: Buy a light frame hybrid or pure mountain bike. Buy very strong light wheels and slicks. Some disc brakes. A lightweight fork, saddle and handlebars and you are just as quick around town. You wont keep up with a road bike on a flat, pothole free, fast piece of road. But so what - I have been cycling for 10 years and no matter how fast you are there is always someone faster.

ruprect wrote:

The only guys who usually pass me are breaking the law (i.e. not using the mandatory cycle tracks and putting their life in the hands of taxi men and homicidal busmen.)

I doubt not using the cycle lane is against the law. The road is for all road users.

patrickolee

There's a bike shop on the Crumlin Road, just past the texaco station, which I find very good/helpful. Commuting solutions in Rathmines used to be good...

BeerNut

kmick wrote:

I doubt not using the cycle lane is against the law. The road is for all road users.

"A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided." (RotR p.159)
You may leave it if it has a broken white line and you are changing direction or avoiding a vehicle.

BeardyGit

Speak with David in Joe Daly's cycles in Dundrum. He won't try to sell you something you don't need or won't use. He will try to sell you a bike that fully meets your needs, is within your budget, fits you correctly and that can be fully serviced and maintained there if you wish. They've a good selection of bikes and can order many more to suit if theres something there that takes your fancy.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time going to Hollingsworths in Kilmacud. I've had good experience with Hollingsworth in Templeogue a few years back, but every time I waste my time going to the shop in Kilmacud, I end up angry about the apalling service and often shocking prices. That's person experience, but that's what you're asking for I guess.

Now, if it were me, I'd call in to see Cliff in Cycleogical and speak with him about a Kona cyclo cross bike with a set of 23's. Nice and tough, great quality frame and forks, fast rolling and in your price range too.....

RainyDay

SteamTrean wrote:

My bike is starting to sound as though it's nearly had it and I want to buy a new one.

Just a suggestion - would you think about spending €100 on a good service instead of buying a new bike?

SteamTrean wrote:

These guys that zip passed me on the N11 on their road bikes have made my mind up.. I want one!

How much of the zipping past is due to the cyclist, rather than the bike itself.

Mr. Presentable

Cycle Inn in Tallaght is a cyclists bike shop run by cyclists and owned by a cyclist. It specialises in mountain bikes but supplies all sorts, even those weird full sized folding ones with only one front fork!

Money Shot

Before buying any new bike now, I'd take a good look at evans cycles online - they do have some great deals, and you could save a few hundred quid even taking into account shipping costs and exchange rates.
They should be having their summer sale soon - which is usually very good. Bikes come requiring minimum set up - maybe seatpost and front wheel to be put back on.

I bought a race bike there a few years ago, paying 1,200 euros - it cost 1,800 euros in cycleways. I wanted a particular bike, but didn't like the wheels - asked cycleways would they swap them out, and I'd pay the difference. They wouldn't do it, so bought it online, and the wheels I wanted, still had plenty of change and a spare set of wheels.
P.S they still tried to persuade me into getting a specialized, or specialized frame and building from there. Those guys love their specialized (they are great bikes though)

www.evanscycles.com

Collumbo

Dundrum has one of the finest shops in Dublin - Joe Daly Cycles. It is a family run business and you'll get top-class customer service in there. The elderly man in there used to look after Stephen Roche when he was a young little pup :-) The new shop is in the round grey building about 50 metres from the LUAS bridge heading towards Miltown. They stock Trek, Raleigh and a few other brands. If it's just for commuting, I reckon a super fast Hybrid might be a bit more comfortable. The road bikes are grand, but remember that they're not as comfortable, and may not be able to take proper mudguards or a carrier if you like to use them for commuting...

RainyDay

Collumbo wrote:

The elderly man in there used to look after Stephen Roche when he was a young little pup :-) The new shop is in the round grey building about 50 metres from the LUAS bridge heading towards Miltown.

Pity they don't look after the cyclists of Dundrum by fixing the cycle lane outside the new building that was ripped up by their builders!

copacetic

Money Shot wrote:

Before buying any new bike now, I'd take a good look at evans cycles online - they do have some great deals, and you could save a few hundred quid even taking into account shipping costs and exchange rates.
They should be having their summer sale soon - which is usually very good. Bikes come requiring minimum set up - maybe seatpost and front wheel to be put back on.

I bought a race bike there a few years ago, paying 1,200 euros - it cost 1,800 euros in cycleways. I wanted a particular bike, but didn't like the wheels - asked cycleways would they swap them out, and I'd pay the difference. They wouldn't do it, so bought it online, and the wheels I wanted, still had plenty of change and a spare set of wheels.
P.S they still tried to persuade me into getting a specialized, or specialized frame and building from there. Those guys love their specialized (they are great bikes though)

www.evanscycles.com

just a note that evans are famed in the UK for being incredibly unreliable and having terrible customer service. check out the 100s of threads about them on the cyclingplus forums..

as for the best bike shop? well worst bike shop is much better than the best non-bike shop..

cunnins4

I know i said it already in this thread, but Cycle Logical on the quays once again yesterday were great. I spent 150 quid in there, and the guy didn't once try pushing a more expensive product on me. He actually saved me a few bob on shoes and pedals. My first set of spds and he was very helpful and friendly.

Dunno anything about evans. I've ordered a few tools from chainreactioncycles.com and they were quick and the website was up to date the whole time.

Just ordered 1200quids worth of road bike from wiggle. Hopefully that'll go well...........

Winstanleyscycles.co.uk don't seem to keep their site up to date as they let me down with another bike i wanted to buy this week, and that's how i ended up getting the one from wiggle. Although they're quick to reply to emails and friendly on the phone.

Still don't like cycleways though....

Civilian_Target

BeerNut wrote:

"A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided." (RotR p.159)
You may leave it if it has a broken white line and you are changing direction or avoiding a vehicle.

TBH, there are bits of p159 of the Rules of the Road that can kiss my ass. I'm not comprimising my own personal safety to satisfy some pointless and unenforcable law, especially since doing so does not comprimise the personal safety of others.

Money Shot

copacetic wrote:

just a note that evans are famed in the UK for being incredibly unreliable and having terrible customer service. check out the 100s of threads about them on the cyclingplus forums..

as for the best bike shop? well worst bike shop is much better than the best non-bike shop..

Not in my experience, and I've never heard anything about them being noted for being unreliable in the uk - got any links ? I've both two bikes there and placed numerous other orders for various cloths, tyres, parts, miscl etc etc. without any problems what so ever, and I always saved money on what it would have cost buying in a shop in this country.

I find the choice, cost and service of shops in Dublin to be pretty poor tbh. They need to book up their ideas if they want to compete with online sales.

digitalage

Personally I would'nt get a road bike for commuting. I used to have one and after getting the specialized crossroads hybrid bike about 2 years ago I would'nt change back. I had 2 bad crashes on the bike were I came off the worse and the bike was fine, testiment to the build quality of the bike. I service it once a year and I can easily keep up with the lycra heads on the quays. The cycling postion took a bit getting used too coming from a road bike, this bike is virtaully maintance free compared to a road bike, try hitting a free pot holes on a road bike and you'll forking out every few months for a new wheels. I would buy the bike online, I have used wiggle.co.uk in the past and find them very good.

copacetic

Money Shot wrote:

Not in my experience, and I've never heard anything about them being noted for being unreliable in the uk - got any links ? I've both two bikes there and placed numerous other orders for various cloths, tyres, parts, miscl etc etc. without any problems what so ever, and I always saved money on what it would have cost buying in a shop in this country.

I find the choice, cost and service of shops in Dublin to be pretty poor tbh. They need to book up their ideas if they want to compete with online sales.

as i said, check the cycling plus forums, you have to look in the archive i think though as like IBB here, there were so many threads I think they banned discussion of them.