Best bicycle shop in Dublin

07Lapierre

magicbastarder wrote: »

one time i opted not to buy the tool was when my bike needed a new BB, dropped it into humphries and it took two of them to get the old one out. so if i'd bought the tool, i'd still have been calling round to them anyway.

Maybe, but you'd have the BB tool to replace the BB yourself next time?

magicbastarder

true, but standard charge of €15 to replace a BB was fair going; i'd a spare press fit one (not compatible with that bike) so they took that and installed an english thread one for me, no parts cost.

Wishbone Ash

cletus wrote: »

.... Surely you just replace parts as they wear out. If the bottom bracket or headset bearing is still working why replace?...

Sure the timing belt/chain in my car is working grand. I'll just wait until it snaps.

magicbastarder

A bb wearing out is not going to do catastrophic damage to the rest of the bike though.

Wishbone Ash

magicbastarder wrote: »

A bb wearing out is not going to do catastrophic damage to the rest of the bike though.

Point taken - bit of an extreme example I suppose but I'd rather replace a part before it wears out rather than be left stranded.

rolling boh

Find cyclezone in blanchardstown very good bought a bike in there and always got looked after .

cletus

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Sure the timing belt/chain in my car is working grand. I'll just wait until it snaps.

Timing belts have specific time/mileage intervals that they need to be changed at. In fact, so does engine oil, spark plugs, and various filters. All of these are listed quite clearly by the manufacturer, and make up part of the yearly service requirements. All part of the reason why I asked my original question.

What doesn't get changed at specified time/mileage intervals is brakes, bearings, bushings (wishbone or otherwise) clutches etc. Instead, these get replaced as and when they wear. I don't think I suggested at any point that you should wait for catastrophic failure of a component. Wear very often is indicated earlier than failure. In point of fact, I recently had the wheel bearing on my car changed as it was showing signs of wear. I did not wait until the bearing collapsed completely inside it's housing, causing the wheel to lock up on the motorway, but rather I noticed the telltale signs of wear, and had the appropriate work done.

As I said already, I see little point in replacing parts that still have life in them, but neither am I advocating for letting your bike fall apart before doing any work on it

magicbastarder

I guess one of the differences between cars and bikes is that it's much easier for someone with just a slight mechanical bent to detect and deal with pending issues. Less so with a car, where the consequences of letting things go can also be much more catastrophic and much more expensive.

cletus

magicbastarder wrote: »

I guess one of the differences between cars and bikes is that it's much easier for someone with just a slight mechanical bent to detect and deal with pending issues. Less so with a car, where the consequences of letting things go can also be much more catastrophic and much more expensive.

I think I've dragged this thread off topic enough

Really, all I wanted to see was whether there is a clearly defined list of items that get 'serviced' from one year to the next on a bike. I service my own car, and so far I've done everything needed on my bike, but done it as they've been needed, not on a schedule.

Thanks for all the responses.

LollipopJimmy

Hurrache wrote: »

I was directed to their existence recently when asking around when I was stuck for something and they were great, same day turnaround it seems for most people, and there's not many places right in the city centre if you're stuck.

I usually do my own stuff too apart from where specialised tools are required like cassette changes.

They've changed quite a bit about the way they work just recently, bikes are taken in, loaded onto a bike trailer and brought to an off site workshop which is kitted out from top to bottom with Park Tools and just around the corner - The owner was going to sell the business but then decided to go fully into it.

AndrewJRenko

I had good experiences with Think Bike, and really good customer services in Joe Dalys. This was a significant factor in my decision to get my new bike from them also.

Having a decent bike shop within walking distance of home or work is important for me. Late opening hours are a big help too.

Effects

magicbastarder wrote: »

A bb wearing out is not going to do catastrophic damage to the rest of the bike though.

Not catastrophic, but my BB is on the way out. Cranks are a bit off/loose as a result, so it's causing wear on my front shifter and chain.
Just haven't had the chance to order a new one and change it out yet.

I bought a tool kit from Rose bikes a few years ago that has most of what you need in it. Cost €50 which is pretty good value.

Recently bought their torque wrench kit for €36.
I find if you buy tools every now and then it's a good way of building up a set.

That said, I'm having trouble convincing my other half that I need to drop €2000 on two wood working tools to build some bookshelves.

Effects

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I use Shaka on Amiens St.

So they are they good these days? I was put off a bit by them in their early days.
A bit specialised, but I'd asked them about changing a set of dropouts on a steel frame.
It was a finicky welding job really, but they didn't really get what I was asking about, but still said they'd be able to do it.
Nice and friendly guys though. Brazilian, aren't they?

Alkers

Used specialized out in Brownsbarn for some servicing recently and was very impressed. The shop is super-impressive too but their stock is obviously expensive, not rip-off but high end.

tdf7187

I have had positive experiences in both Hollingsworths - Templeogue and Kilmacud, Stillorgan Cycles mostly positive, especially in recent years, Thinkbike in Rathmines all experiences very positive, Ferris Wheels in Booterstown positive, Penny Farthing Camden St positive also (though only used them once).

People swear by Joe Daly cycles in Dundrum but the admittedly young assistant I consulted over something or other there was clueless.

tdf7187

mlem123 wrote: »

I'm a low-spec commuter cyclist, so I'll probably be told I'm wrong buttttt I was really happy with all my interactions with Stillorgan Cycles.

I was looking to not pay too much for a second hand bike and wanted to trade in my old banger of a bike! I found a few shops not willing to trade (even without them knowing how bad it's condition was lol). He offered me €20 off the cost of a second hand one (which was very fair - we were also happy to get it out of the shed without having to pay to dump it) as well as putting the basket on the new(er) bike.

I payed about €100 for it but this "second hand" one I got, and it was perfect, looked more like someone got it as a gift or tax saver and then left it in a shed or garage for a couple of years!

I use them more for repairs and maintenance but would second this. For a place that looks down-at-heel judging by the exterior they are pretty good. Don't judge by appearances I guess.

Seth Brundle

Effects wrote: »

That said, I'm having trouble convincing my other half that I need to drop €2000 on two wood working tools to build some bookshelves.

Well, to be honest it looks like she's not a keeper!

magicbastarder

Effects wrote: »

That said, I'm having trouble convincing my other half that I need to drop €2000 on two wood working tools to build some bookshelves.

must be nice pieces of kit at that price; planer/thicknesser and jointing machine maybe?

Effects

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Well, to be honest it looks like she's not a keeper!

With a baby on the way, she asked me this morning where I was going to keep my bikes. I'm not allowed keep them inside once the baby goes into the bike room. I told her the cargo bike won't fit in the house anyway so I don't mind leaving that outside when it arrives.

Reznorek

Bee Cycles guys are cool, always helpfull but I moved from Dolphins Barn to Drumcondra recently and could use some advice which decent and reliable repair shop should I use near my place (Hollybank Road).

Utter Consternation

Do bike shops service ebikes that they did not sell? My needs a bit of a tune up, in the mechanical sense, that is.

Weepsie

Reznorek wrote: »

Bee Cycles guys are cool, always helpfull but I moved from Dolphins Barn to Drumcondra recently and could use some advice which decent and reliable repair shop should I use near my place (Hollybank Road).

Bike Institute used to be decent. Long time since I used them..on Dorset street so not a million miles away. I'd probably be going to Humphries from there though but it's further away.

magicbastarder

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Do bike shops service ebikes that they did not sell? My needs a bit of a tune up, in the mechanical sense, that is.

I would suggest that it's one of those cases of 'if they don't, find a new bike shop'. I've never been turned away from a shop because they didn't sell me the bike in the first place.

I want to get a full on service, I was thinking of the Spokesman who seems to be well regarded.

Anyone here got any experience with him?

tonytiger81

Had a look at Shaka's website. Are you taking the pi$$? https://shaka.ie/product/vintage-mustard-yellow-road-bike/

Weepsie

Aegir wrote: »

I want to get a full on service, I was thinking of the Spokesman who seems to be well regarded.

Anyone here got any experience with him?

Cathals his name. I've always found him to be reasonable and fair. Used to be outside my place of work but moved since.

He's another one who is of cycling stock. His dad was involved in broadcasting the Ras for a few years

CramCycle

Everyone's experience will be coloured by that one person they met on the day. I dislike Hollingsworth immensely, even though from riders in my club, they have a great mechanic and the older one seems sound but one in Templeogue was awful to me one day, and the one in Stillorgan tried to rip me off after I had paid for a helmet online. It was never delivered. Young lad said they had an issue and only 50% of orders were going through so they were just waiting for people to complain. Then they didn't have the helmet but lied to me and said they would give me a more expensive one for the same price (it was a cheaper one and I needed one urgently for the young lad), just poor form IMO because I was dressed in work clothes and was driving that day.

I like ThinkBike but haven't used it in years, John the owner was always dead sound and the long term mechanics were excellent, but they have had complaints but I haven't had those issues, but I haven't been there in years.

Joe Daly the same, the audax mechanic is excellent, they always have a few young lads in on work experiences and while they know little they are always trained enough to ask the mechanic or the manager. Always friendly and hugely supportive of a local club, the epitome of what you want in a local business.

I'll always remember Freemans selling me a bike for €90 with two tyres and a lock worth €90 as they had gotten it as a trade in, but they fully serviced it and it ran like a dream.

The guy in Ranelagh always came across as a cantankerous fella, so I don't go near it.

Haven't went to Harrys since it reopened but liked the team there, always laughed at their advertised price and their actual price eg a tube would say €16 and I though I need it but won't be back, then it was €9 at the till which was grand. Staff were always nice to me and everyone in work sings their praises. Cliff also has a great rep as a mechanic in there now.

CSS have improved immensely in recent years, first time I went in there the shop assistant went on a rant about the adverts section of boards, and how we were all **** stealing their business. This was particularly funny because the far younger lad working there, who didn't hear him, I would later meet in a car park to sell stuff too. He wasn't there the next time I went back, they done an excellent job plugging/retapping a crankarm, something no one else would touch. Bought a calliper there recently,slightly more than it was worth but then they fitted it, adjusted it and also gave me a headset spacer for free when they seen me putting it on outside. Something I would have expected to pay €20 or more anywhere else. Others have had negative experiences but in recent times, they have been really positive, the shop assistants are all on the ball, the manager has upped his game and the mechanics are on the ball, other peoples experience have varied but that is mine.

Haven't used Bee Cycles but I met the owner, really nice guy and many in my club will only go to him since first visiting him as they wouldn't trust others to do as good a service.

cgc5483

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Do bike shops service ebikes that they did not sell? My needs a bit of a tune up, in the mechanical sense, that is.

This guys appear to: https://www.facebook.com/ChronoCycleCentre/

Haven't used them but they seem to build a lot of bikes using kits.

LollipopJimmy

tonytiger81 wrote: »

Had a look at Shaka's website. Are you taking the pi$$? https://shaka.ie/product/vintage-mustard-yellow-road-bike/

That seems like a really old pic - prior to the current owner (The outside has been changed) There are a few anomalies on the website though.


Edit: Just sent that link to him and he replied with a facepalm and asked if I knew anybody who would help him redo the website

podge018

I've been using Dublin2Bike for repairs as it's so close to my job, they're good but kinda expensive I think. Looking to buy a bike now and wondering if they are good value or not. I'd be choosing from this range.

https://dublin2bike.ie/commuter-bikes/