Best bike shop Dublin 2015

agapantas

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a new road bike somewhere in the Dublin area. Where's the best bike shop with enthusiastic workers who actually care about cycling and want to advise on the best options??

Slydice

I found starting threads on boards.ie the most helpful.

First, I'd read a few threads where people were discussing what they were thinking of buying.

I'd compare what they were talking about to what I felt I wanted.

Then I think I made my own thread or maybe just a reply to get an opinion on what I was deciding.

johnk123

You're going to get the same answers as any of the countless other threads on the topic.


Some shops might not have the brands you want etc etc... Is this your first road bike? If you have an idea of what you want, then just pop into a few shops and see where you feel you would like to spend your money.

agapantas

I had searched for previous threads, the most recent one I found was 2013 so I'm looking for an update on people's favourite shops 😊

This is my first road bike. I bought a hybrid last year and was quite disappointed when shopping around at the general level salesmanship in the shops. Most would direct me to a couple of City bikes and when I'd explain further what I wanted would give me another couple of recommendations for the best seller-no real advice on my range of options and why one is better than the other etc.

I've done some research and have a lot of cycling experience but don't know much about the benefits of the specific brands etc-that's why I'm looking for a nice salesperson to help me out with this,
Any specific advice on reputable shops is appreciated!

Beasty

As already mentioned shops only stock certain brands anyway, and any shop is going to try and sell you something they have in stock unless you are quite specific about your requirements.

Obviously some of the bigger shops in the city are quite reliant on passing trade. However shops a little further out typically rely on returning customers for sales of accessories, servicing etc. If they have not built up a decent reputation they are unlikely to survive long, so my suggestion, if it is quality of service you are looking for, is to stay local rather than go out of your way (unless you already have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for).

If you tell us what area you are based in I am sure there are plenty around here who could give you a steer on shops that do offer a good quality of service.

DaithiMC

agapantas wrote: »

I had searched for previous threads, the most recent one I found was 2013 so I'm looking for an update on people's favourite shops 😊

This is my first road bike. I bought a hybrid last year and was quite disappointed when shopping around at the general level salesmanship in the shops. Most would direct me to a couple of City bikes and when I'd explain further what I wanted would give me another couple of recommendations for the best seller-no real advice on my range of options and why one is better than the other etc.

I've done some research and have a lot of cycling experience but don't know much about the benefits of the specific brands etc-that's why I'm looking for a nice salesperson to help me out with this,
Any specific advice on reputable shops is appreciated!

My two cents:

1) There are no real appreciable differences between the brands in a physical sense, the bottom of the range Trek is the same as the bottom of the range Specialized, Boardman, Carrera, Lapierre, etc, and the same for the top of the range. This point has been argued to within an inch of its life on Boards, the reality being beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The upshot - pick a bike brand you like the look of and this will narrow down your search to the shops that stock them.

2) The real differences are in the groupsets and wheels. Take a look at Shimano, SRAM, FSA, and Campagnolo websites to see their ranges from low to high so when you go to the bikeshop you know what you are looking at, e.g., Alu frame + low range group, carbon frame + mid range group, etc. In terms of wheels, the same applies, though there is a much wider selection of suppliers, e.g., check out Mavic, Fulcrum, Campagnolo, Shimano, etc.. and inform yourself.

Saddles are also important but you can take what's on the bike and upgrade later if needed.

Most of the above can be done on the web. I think starting out with the attitude of the sales people is the wrong place. I can mention one shop in which the sales guy is an enthusiastic roadie who would talk the ear off you and you will enjoy the discussion but I have had P*ss poor experience from that shop in terms of back up service.

Hexen

As indicated above, the advantage of buying in a local bike shop is convenience and after-sales service not in the range of models offered. I bought my bike in 360 Cycles in Clontarf (previously Top Bike Shop) as they are close to where I live and I found the service provided and advice given to be excellent.

Naturally, they advised me to buy one of the bikes they stocked - which for me any my commuter needs was probably the best choice.

I'm sure I might have gotten a somewhat better price online (relatively little difference actually) and there would have been a broader range to chose from. However, as I've little expertise, I'd have been more likely to choose an inappropriate bike. It's a trade off. You pay a little more, the range of bikes and accessories is limited relative to what is available online, but you have excellent service, most labour is free (if you've bought the bike there) and, as they're interested in your return custom they're going to try and fix any problems you might have.

onthefringe

im very fond of 2 particular LBS in dublin...both long established and knowledgeable as well as helpful.
ive also been to countless others both in dublin and kildare where i live.

there is a MASSIVE difference in knowledge, availability and service between my very local shops and the ones i travel to

i would certainly not recommend going to your local shop just because
its nearer..

you will be spending big coin and then returning over the years to spend more...
spend where you get the total package

also
ive found that experienced and well ran shops can put their hand to any brand and product you want with time..
dont take what a shop has just because they have it- get what you actually want..
theyll still make their margin...youll get your ideal product and the only difference is you have to wait a little- something lost on the "i want it now" culture we have in this country nowadays.