Are there bargains to be had in Decathlon, France

Stone Deaf 4evr

Hi all, just a quick question,

heading to france on saturday for a fortnight, Ive seen a lot of people posting about good value to be had in a sports shop there called Decathlon. I've never been, so i'm wondering what the consensus is on the quality / value? I'm after a few particular things (aero bars, new helmet, new shoes) so I just want to check before i go wasting money!

thanks in advance!

fits

Was in it in Spain last week. Poor enough selection in terms of womens cycling clothing anyway (like everywhere else!)

But they had a good range of shoes and helmets and gadgets. Worth checking out anyway.

Vico1612

Hi,

Not a cyclist myself , more into running ... but I do pay my visit to Decathlon every time I go home to visit my family .
The stores are massive and cater for all sports so well worth a visit.
I usually stock up on running clothes / socks , which last for ever.
worth also checking the clearance section ...
Enjoy your trip to France !

kildarecommuter

Have been to Decathlon a few times and I think the range varies depending on size of store, found their bib shorts( gel ones) are good and picked up a few other bits and bobs
The only drawback is that they tend to cater to the local weather conditions in regards to kit!

LeoD

Bought socks, arm warmers, leg warmers and a few pairs of glasses. Also got a heavy duty reflective gillet for night/winter riding.

Glasses: http://www.decathlon.fr/arenberg-cat1-id_8118519.html
Gillet: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-high-visibility-bike-gillet-id_8305613.html

ht9zni1gs28crp

Their cycling shorts are the best out there IMHO, look for the orange padded ones as these are rated for three hours+ in saddle.

Also their version of carbon sole shoes are a bargain.

Decathalon....showing up big named manufactures in the sportsworld for years....

Koobcam

I've been to Decathlon in a few countries and the quality tends to vary. Best one was near Annecy in France and I found it really good for cycling-great shorts and jerseys, and some decent bikes as well. Good place also to pick up one of those 2-second pop-up tents or other outdoor gear

franer1970

99 Decathlons in Spain, says their web site.
Brought back a saddle one time and caused a bit of a stir at airport security - the metal frame looked exactly like a slingshot on the x-ray.

franer1970

Decathlon is in 23 countries worldwide in fact, including 14 stores in the UK - there's one in Belfast.
Coming to the south soon enough I would expect.

ted1

franer1970 wrote: »

Decathlon is in 23 countries worldwide in fact, including 14 stores in the UK - there's one in Belfast.
Coming to the south soon enough I would expect.

they had plans for three, even had a facebook page open for decathlon Ireland, but they never materialised.

horslips

Well worth a visit to the bigger stores for amazing cycling value.

As another poster said, they usually cater for local conditions so you will not get winter gear now. However, I never fail to find enough to fill my arms.

Sign-up for a loyalty card and you will be sent a € voucher every so often, which can be used in the Belfast store too.

If you are near St. Nazaire, there is a great one west of the town just off the dual carriageway towards La Baule. The village is called L'Immaculée about 2 miles from the city centre.

Trip to Decathlon is one of the highlights of the holiday in France.

Stone Deaf 4evr

Thanks lads, defo going to make a visit so. I'll be travelling from roscoff to st jean de months via Nantes so I'll Google the bigger stores on that route

jonny99

Was there last week. Not great value in running shoes at the mo, but value to be got in other gear, particularly compression gear. Deffo worth a visit,enjoy.

DUBLIN_person

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Thanks lads, defo going to make a visit so. I'll be travelling from roscoff to st jean de months via Nantes so I'll Google the bigger stores on that route

There is one in Nantes itself and one in Challans about 20km from st Jean de monts. Was in the one in Challans a couple of weeks ago and picked up 2 sram power link chains 3-7 speed for 1.98 each!

Vico1612

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Thanks lads, defo going to make a visit so. I'll be travelling from roscoff to st jean de months via Nantes so I'll Google the bigger stores on that route

St Herblain is the one of the stores around Nantes
http://www.decathlon.fr/fr/store?store_id=PS_86

ht9zni1gs28crp

The Belfast store delivers to Ireland if this helps anyone...

Vico1612

Elora Stale Okra wrote: »

The Belfast store delivers to Ireland if this helps anyone...

Are you sure ? Last time I checked in 2013, they said they no longer delivered to ROI ...
I used Parcel Motel to get my delivery.

bcmf

There is a decent one just south of Nantes (on the way to St Jeans DeMonts I think ) in a place called La Roche Sur Yon. It's handy enough to get to and is right beside a big shopping area on the main ring road around the town.
As others said it can depend on the store what is on sale. But I always end up with numerous pairs of socks.

RobFowl

As BCMF says great for socks, base layers and other gear although variable. Better for running/hiking/leisure gear.

brownian

Merino from them is surprisingly good.

Jimbloggs

Well worth a look if you're going to be near one. It would be great to have them open the 3 stores here.

CJhaughey

There is a Huge Decathlon in Brest, handy enough if you are leaving from Roscoff. Stuff in there is more suited to Irish conditions than the ones further south.

Stone Deaf 4evr

CJhaughey wrote: »

There is a Huge Decathlon in Brest, handy enough if you are leaving from Roscoff. Stuff in there is more suited to Irish conditions than the ones further south.

any deals on charvet shirts?
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/charvet-shirts-neither-sinister-nor-important-26087963.html

CJhaughey

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

any deals on charvet shirts?
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/charvet-shirts-neither-sinister-nor-important-26087963.html

No, unfortunately Charvet shirts weren't to be found in Decathlon.:)

macbane66

Love decathlon : find it good : I can pick up some decent gear at good prices sometimes : great to discovery other sports also u could end up buying a lot....

Zen0

The nearest Decathlon to Roscoff is on the northern side of Morlaix. Very good way to spend an hour if you are on the way home and have some time. As others have said, the bib shorts are very good, the ones with the orangish pads.

Boscoirl

Picked up some bib shorts a jacket two jerseys and some socks in the store in Rochefort today. Not a massive selection but decent enough. Had some good discounts on winter gear.

There was a gorgeous Btwin carbon bike there for €1300.

Stone Deaf 4evr

Boscoirl wrote: »

Picked up some bib shorts a jacket two jerseys and some socks in the store in Rochefort today. Not a massive selection but decent enough. Had some good discounts on winter gear.

There was a gorgeous Btwin carbon bike there for €1300.

I'm heading there tomorrow, hopefully the carbon bikes aren't two tempting, otherwise the wife's bike may be abandoned here....

clog

Was up in the Belfast store the other day. They have their top level winter bib tights at 60% off . I have a couple of pairs of them and they are very good.

ComputerKing

I love Decathalon myself I mainly buy running gear there but they have a huge range of cycling gear as well it really depends on the size of the store though. Look for the biggest store in the area your staying in and go to there.

Stone Deaf 4evr

Ok, I visited two days ago and am now 300 or so notes lighter. Well worth a visit, particularly if you're into camping