Decathlon Sports Ireland

rolling boh

Did not go up today to see but was wondering are the cycling clothes good quality saw some of the prices and they seem quite low not a pro by any means but would like to know if shorts etc are good for long spins . thanks

magicbastarder

i have some btwin tops and a pair of leggings. they're fine, have not worn the leggings on long spins though so can't confirm long term comfort.
to be fair, i bought them slightly too small so would have generally avoided them for anything but commuting anyway.

saccades

Top end stuff is excellent value for money, the lower ranges are ok (as in I'd rather spend the extra 20-30 to get to the top end).

Tony04

Any of there product range from 500 and up is really good value for money stuff.
Though if your looking to get good value clothing, to be honest you can get equal quality for maybe 5 -10 quid more from galibier.cc online, irish company, couldn't reccomend them enough.

iwillhtfu

Tony04 wrote: »

Though if your looking to get good value clothing, to be honest you can get equal quality for maybe 5 -10 quid more from galibier.cc online, irish company, couldn't reccomend them enough.

Pay in sterling if you do as their conversion rate is at least €5 on jerseys and bibs which adds up if you're getting a few items.

Harrybelafonte

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Pay in sterling if you do as their conversion rate is at least €5 on jerseys and bibs which adds up if you're getting a few items.

Agree, as they're a UK-located company, not ROI, so Sterling works out better.

siochain

Any in the new store yet? Do the have much stock of bikes ?

magicbastarder

yes, a decent number of bikes in stock. i suspect the local bike shops were blessed that decathlon opened near the probable end of what is the bike gold rush.

rolling boh

Would hope people still support their local shops as well nothing against decathlon it's great to have options but one off shops are important I think so I hope they stay around plus you will know the people working in them so you should get good advice that's my experience anyway .

lennymc

given that Decathlon have a shop in Dublin, and employee (i would imagine) quite a lot of people, is buying from them not supporting local shops? \they are supplying jobs and benefits to the local economy after all.

I have btwin stuff, and it is good, long roubaix tights, short bibs, i think the 500 range.

rolling boh

Fair enough about them having a shop and giving jobs to people I suppose I meant that i hope the existing shops are not hit to badly and stay around same as other types of retail not just bike shops it's great to have a place like Decathlon to give a choice to people .

magicbastarder

as mentioned, was up there yesterday and overheard some conversations between staff and customers; as you might expect, the shop staff are generally young, and hired because they're young and probably cheap, not necessarily for their knowledge.
to be fair, it was the first day they were open, and i did twice hear a response, to customer questions, along the lines of 'i'm afraid i don't know that, but can get a staff member who does know the answer to assist', so i didn't hear any actual evidence of a staff member bull****ting an answer.

re buying from local shops, where the profits the shop earns goes, and where the tax is paid, is a massive factor for me in determining whether the shop is 'local'.

KevRossi

Large discount shops like Decathlon, or the big Hypermarkets statistically shut down 7 jobs for every 5 they create. So there will be a net job loss, as well as less taxes going into the Irish economy and less money circulating in the country.

It will especially hit bike shops, probably a couple of Sports Direct and the likes. Some smaller high street sports shops (not many left) will be hit as well and will shut down bit by bit over the next few years.

cletus

KevRossi wrote: »

Large discount shops like Decathlon, or the big Hypermarkets statistically shut down 7 jobs for every 5 they create. So there will be a net job loss, as well as less taxes going into the Irish economy and less money circulating in the country.

It will especially hit bike shops, probably a couple of Sports Direct and the likes. Some smaller high street sports shops (not many left) will be hit as well and will shut down bit by bit over the next few years.

Whatever about the rest of your post, Sports Direct hardly fall into the category of local bike/sports shops.

Mike Ashely has made his fortune buying out reputable but failing brands, then flogging the shït out of their name

lennymc

rolling boh wrote: »

Fair enough about them having a shop and giving jobs to people I suppose I meant that i hope the existing shops are not hit to badly and stay around same as other types of retail not just bike shops it's great to have a place like Decathlon to give a choice to people .

wasnt having a go - just IMHO they employ people, they pay irish taxes, they are much more local than the likes of a wiggle or crc.

Im sure there will be enough room for traditional lbs & decathlon given the popularity of cylcling!

lennymc

KevRossi wrote: »

Large discount shops like Decathlon, or the big Hypermarkets statistically shut down 7 jobs for every 5 they create.

source? (genuinely interested)

Tony04

Cant see it really hitting local bike shops apart from clothing sales.

Only really halfords I'd say will be hit.

Bike shops already compete with online and halfords etc.

I think it will hit stores like elverys, sports direct etc.

Although it wont hit stores like lifestyle unless decathlon starts sponsoring football players etc.

Anyway you cant beat your lbs for fixing your bike.

magicbastarder

Tony04 wrote: »

Cant see it really hitting local bike shops apart from clothing sales.

Only really halfords I'd say will be hit.

Bike shops already compete with online and halfords etc.

yep, i reckon halfords will have to worry but do benefit in the sense that they've a wider range of outlets than a single store.
i can't complain too much since i've bought a few things in decathlon over the years (usually while abroad); one of the things decathlon can afford to do is carry a range of stock that many smaller bike shops don't have the room/stock turnover to have on hand. e.g. they've pretty much all the sorts of tyres in stock (bar high end) you could possibly look for.

decathlon is bringing online prices to bricks'n'mortar stores - i think my LBS charges a fiver for an inner tube and they're €2.90 i think in decathlon.
but where LBSes will have to worry is that people might still be happy to drive for half an hour or an hour to get to decathlon to save a fiver on a tyre.

magicbastarder

lennymc wrote: »

they employ people, they pay irish taxes

in 2018, they paid €800k corporation tax on a turnover of €1.1bn.

However, pre-tax profits at the business in 2018 were comparatively low at €6.45m due to the company’s cost of sales of €1.08bn.

The company recorded a post-tax profit of €5.64m in 2018 after paying corporation tax of €802,609.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/french-sports-retailer-decathlon-sees-irish-sales-top-1bn-987886.html

if we take the above at face value, that there's no accountancy magic going on, their profit margin is about 0.6% which would explain why their prices are so low - they're making less than a cent on each euro, and at the volume they're selling, that means they're stretching prices to the wire.

Harrybelafonte

magicbastarder wrote: »

in 2018, they paid €800k corporation tax on a turnover of €1.1bn.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/french-sports-retailer-decathlon-sees-irish-sales-top-1bn-987886.html

if we take the above at face value, that there's no accountancy magic going on, their profit margin is about 0.6% which would explain why their prices are so low - they're making less than a cent on each euro, and at the volume they're selling, that means they're stretching prices to the wire.

Having spent quite awhile working for one of the best known LBS in the country, I can tell you now that this little LBS vs evil corporation is a ****ing myth. LBS are equally adept at fudging accounts and screwing staff. They don’t all do it, but let’s not oversimplify the matter to push one point of contention.

Tony04

magicbastarder wrote: »

decathlon is bringing online prices to bricks'n'mortar stores - i think my LBS charges a fiver for an inner tube and they're €2.90 i think in decathlon.
but where LBSes will have to worry is that people might still be happy to drive for half an hour or an hour to get to decathlon to save a fiver on a tyre.

Not really sure if people would do that, if you want good cheap tyres for the best price order online from Germany.
The only thing I see myself, impulse purchases aside, really getting from decathlon is clothing. Local bike shops sell a fair amount of clothing because people can try it and dont like buying it online, but with decathlon I'd imagine this would stop.
The other thing I reckon you'll see is carrera losing their monopoly on young lads floating around the place.
Every lbs I've went to seems to have a great skill at persuading you to buy highly marked up replacement parts, the greatest being cassette and chains, literally every person I see bringing their bike in for a service is told to replace theirs.
As for high end bikes decathlon have struggled to break into that market hence the van rysel rebrand but theres better options online I.e radon, canyon, rose and vitus

magicbastarder

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Having spent quite awhile working for one of the best known LBS in the country, I can tell you now that this little LBS vs evil corporation is a ****ing myth.

as i said, i was taking their accounts at face value, no assumptions made.

magicbastarder

Tony04 wrote: »

Not really sure if people would do that, if you want good cheap tyres for the best price order online from Germany.

a lot of non-enthusiast cyclists wouldn't do that; my father didn't, he went to his LBS. you're not necessarily going to rush to order something online unless it's something you're happy you're ordering the right version of. for my father the easiest option was to cycle to the shop, point at the tyres and say 'sell me two more of those please'.

decathlon kinda sits between online and LBS - prices and range of the former, accessibility and reassurance of the latter.

Tony04

magicbastarder wrote: »

a lot of non-enthusiast cyclists wouldn't do that; my father didn't, he went to his LBS. you're not necessarily going to rush to order something online unless it's something you're happy you're ordering the right version of. for my father the easiest option was to cycle to the shop, point at the tyres and say 'sell me two more of those please'.

decathlon kinda sits between online and LBS - prices and range of the former, accessibility and reassurance of the latter.

Yeh true. Personally I'd see myself buying alot more non cycling related stuff as a non-enthusiast to whatever sport than cycling stuff. Although the sooner bike shops stop ridiculously overcharging on stuff the better.

triggermortis

I always liked Decathlon when I was working abroad, it was good to browse other things that you didn’t know you needed...
It’s now just another option here. You can browse and try stuff and compare prices but I’d say I might be buying more none-cycling gear from the new Dublin shop

onlineweb

Planning to head up today to check it out.

jamesbondings

onlineweb wrote: »

Planning to head up today to check it out.

Let us know what the queues are like, don't fancy queuing with only a few bits to get!

Macy0161

I think there's these type of posts on all "outdoor" sports forums. Reality is they've been online to Ireland for a few years now!

In a cycling context, I would agree more likely halfords to be hit, and probably the aldi and lidl specials less attractive. When in France, I actually thought it was the bikes that were best vfm - lower end that many lbs's don't carry. Perfect for the occasional user imo, compared to the equivalent halfords offering. I was a bit "meh" about the vfm of the cycling clothes - it was more casual/ fitness clothes that I ended up buying (and lots of the great towels!), and camping equipment.

I will carry on supporting my lbs if/ when I'm back in the office (assuming they've survived that far), with servicing, tubes, a few bits and pieces. Actually, a lot of the parts/ servicing is me having a go myself, and then bringing them in for a check/ fix. I can't say I've ever brought cycling clothes in a store, and have never done the try in store buy on-line to them either out of respect.

JMcL

I've bought a lot of gear from Decathlon over the years as we're in France regularly. Off the top of my head, cycling gear would probably make up around 15% of what I've bought. It's more generally stuff like fleeces, rain jackets, shoes etc(for walking). Since the kids have come along, there's been a fair amount of kitting them out as well. I'd agree a lot of the cycling clothes aren't super value, I tend to keep an eye on the "Fin de serie"/end of line racks where you can get some cracking bargains, for example winter bibs coming into the springtime, if it doesn't bother you putting them away for the summer.

Weepsie wrote: »

Their 700 range is excellent. That's their top end stuff. I've some winter gear. Their 500, is decent but not as good.

Confusingly the "700", which used to be "7", has now become "900" (bit of Spinal Tap going on?) It's good quality. They're also pushing "Van Rysel" as a performance oriented clothing line (not just the bikes) over the past year or so.

Harrybelafonte

Queue is still substantial today. But seems to move kinda quickly. I’d say many are browsing. Queue is maybe ten minutes.

My point earlier was that LBS shops do not deserve business purely based on the fact that they are your LBS.

Harrybelafonte

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Queue is still substantial today. But seems to move kinda quickly. I’d say many are browsing. Queue is maybe ten minutes.

My point earlier was that LBS shops do not deserve business purely based on the fact that they are your LBS.

In and out. Place looks like it does a decent range of stuff. Archery section was a bit limited as were a few others. There could be mitigating factors for that. Absolutely no free weights available as per the rest of the country.

Cycling options were ok but place looked a bit like it had been stripped at the weekend. I recommend leaving it a few days in the hopes of a restock before I’d travel and queue. No-one wearing masks either if that’s a concern you may have.

Queuing getting to people. Someone shouted at me as I walked past the queue to leave, annoyed I was “skipping” it. It’s a one-way system. In front door. Out fire escape at rear.

magicbastarder

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

My point earlier was that LBS shops do not deserve business purely based on the fact that they are your LBS.

i'm lucky, i have three to choose from and have a distinct order of preference.
but am obviously wary of a future where the likes of decathlon might put one or all of those out of business, they're all reasonably close to decathlon. there are things i can get done and ask about in the one i usually go to which i very much doubt decathlon will be able to provide, and for that reason i do think they deserve my business; and i'd be worried that what differentiates them would not be to keep them going if a lot of their other business moved.

Harrybelafonte

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'm lucky, i have three to choose from and have a distinct order of preference.
but am obviously wary of a future where the likes of decathlon might put one or all of those out of business, they're all reasonably close to decathlon. there are things i can get done and ask about in the one i usually go to which i very much doubt decathlon will be able to provide, and for that reason i do think they deserve my business; and i'd be worried that what differentiates them would not be to keep them going if a lot of their other business moved.

I think the big difference is in what Decathlon sell. Some said earlier that Halfords would be threatened most and I’d have to agree. The products will seduce a few but I don’t see many on this forum buying from them over bike24 or wiggle etc. I think they’re a greater threat to outdoorsy stores like Regatta and Port West whose customer base is more price driven. Great Outdoors will always be superior and have a loyal enough customer base.

I think we share an LBS, you and I, and the quality of product and service they supply has dropped off considerably. I don’t use them anymore.

Mercian Pro

Up getting the car NCT'd so dropped into Decathlon on the way home. Was there about 10min before opening and there were about 15 ahead of me.
Having bought cycling and hiking bits and pieces before in French branches, I was quite disappointed with stock levels here. Lots of items on the display panels were missing when I went looking or were only available in odd sizes. Ended up spending all of €9 on socks and hiking pole rubber tips! It seemed a good bit busier as I left but I don't think there was a queue outside.

magicbastarder

their stock levels were way down within a few days of opening. just a rush on the place.

jamesbondings

Yea just in the door after a quick trip. Stock levels seriously depleted as expected. But got what I needed. A small life vest for the 3 year old (15 euro) a small wetsuit that was just a little too small and some swimmers that are too small.
Dont fancy going back to replace them but will have to. I was looking for some cycling gear for myself but they literally had shag all!

byrnem31

Went to cycle superstore for a yellow Viz cycling top.
€70 it was. It's very comfortable and I like it but cycling is an expensive hobby. 70 quid for basically a t shirt.

magicbastarder

you can get cycling tops for a lot cheaper than that, tbf.

Hurrache

byrnem31 wrote: »

Went to cycle superstore for a yellow Viz cycling top.
€70 it was. It's very comfortable and I like it but cycling is an expensive hobby. 70 quid for basically a t shirt.

You obviously didn't need one, they saw you coming a mile off.

rolling boh

Expect to pay top prices for anything in cycle superstore it's a good shop no doubt but not too many bargains to be had I only buy in there if I really have to . It's really for people who have no problem paying top end prices for things .

Hurrache

They're not the worse, they can be reasonable for many things, and have decent offers.

byrnem31

Hurrache wrote: »

You obviously didn't need one, they saw you coming a mile off.

I did need it. I cycled out to blessington straight after and the difference wearing it compared to a €3 cotton penny's t shirt with a Viz vest over it that sweats the balls of you was night and day.

Hurrache

It was a joke.

dinneenp

Hurrache wrote: »

It was a joke.

A joke doesn't work if you have to explain it....
(I got it)

magicbastarder

Had to come back as my wife needed to swap the top she got her dad for father's day (decathlon sizing is on the small side) - there's a sign in the bike section saying they're experiencing supply issues and they hope to restock by August.

Eamonnator

byrnem31 wrote: »

I did need it. I cycled out to blessington straight after and the difference wearing it compared to a €3 cotton penny's t shirt with a Viz vest over it that sweats the balls of you was night and day.

unusual placement for them

Chris871

magicbastarder wrote: »

Had to come back as my wife needed to swap the top she got her dad for father's day (decathlon sizing is on the small side) - there's a sign in the bike section saying they're experiencing supply issues and they hope to restock by August.

Cheers for that, save me making the trip over the weekend in that case.

FinnC

Anyone been lately? Have to go to Dublin on Thursday and was going to drop in. Is there still queues to get in?

magicbastarder

if you're going to drop in for cycling gear:

doxy79

Anyone know if its possible to buy from the decathlon.co.uk site and have it shipped to Ireland? Prices can be a good bit cheaper on there. I don't want to go the parcel motel route if at all possible.

new2tri19

Bought 4 inner tubes from decathlon and managed to puncture 3 out of 4 in a week. Got a puncture and swapped one out on side of road and got home it was flat again. Checked tyre and rim and it seems i knicked it getting tyre on. I was probably rougher than I would be at home as it was raining fine. I was watching the footy and decided to repair the tube and install a new another new one. Well I was washed everything down as usual inflated the tyre slightly and as I was getting the last bit of tyre on I needed to apply a bit of force to pull it on I hear the air deflate from tube. Take it out and repatch it as another spare and put another brand new tube in this time I'm using kid gloves and the same thing happens .Now I've probably changed tubes at least 100 times (mainly because I swap tyres around alot when I had one bike) and this has never happenned me. Tyre is perfect , rim is perfect the tubes are cheap but I can see why now they are like paper.
Anyway stuck an old halfords one I had lying about and it was fine you can feel the difference in quality between the tubes.