Top Bike shops in Ireland .

I find cyclelogical very helpful anytime i have any problems, they are fixed straight away. The lads are very friendly and helpful.

Three posts in a row boosting Cyclelogical.

top shop on the northside is richies bike shop in swords . On south side joe dalys dundrum and cycle superstore in tallaght . All have have great value for money , good service and excellent repairs .

UCD bike shop, great for repairs!! Cheap service too

I actually work in one of these shops... Let the firestorm begin. I'll speak for myself anyway here. I'm a cycling enthusiast and cyclist first, a sales assistant second when it comes to work (i see a p-45 coing my way!). It's a pity to hear alot of the negativity coming out. And again, I'll speak for myself, I'm sorry that we've ticked you off in any manner or pushed your patience in the past.

I'll address some of the issues from my point of view. So, in future you can come on and gripe to me, however you want to play it, rather than vent on the web, where untill recently the wrench bearers couldnt try and make amends....

Lack of interest? Not in my case, if you enjoy pushing your pedals around, we'll get along. Honestly, I've been cycling since i can remember, I'm in my twenties and i don't drive because i cycle everywhere. It's a passion first and a job second, guess i'm lucky in that respect. And yes, i count myself lucky to work in one of "those" shops a lot of the time. I know a lot of the others in the shop feel that way, all bicycle nuts. Competing athletes, ex athletes, the lot, they work there. If i walked into a shop and expressed no interest in the people working there and only wanted to buy something quickly and walked out, I'd hardly expect the time of day from them. Now i'm not saying you should have a lengthy conversation, but understand that while they're there to serve you, they're still people! Bored out of their minds from re-stocking tubes and getting berated because the factory in italy which has nothing to do with them is out of stock of a certain gillet!

One of the issues there is, if you connect on the same level, you'll get a lot better service. Goes with any shop. I can't tell you how many times a smile, or a "how's it going" has caught me off guard. Good manners on both sides of the counter are detrimental to a good relationship, because let's face it, you grow loyal to certain bike shops, it's not like a self service tesco now is it? And while you're 100% right to expect top notch service, you can't expect the best reaction to a bad attitude. I remember one customer telling me i wasn't a "real cyclist" because i wasn't a roadie. And no, he wasn't joking. Insult and injury when he asked for a staff member who "knew about real bikes" and wanted discounted goods.

I have recurring customers who i look forward to seeing because they brighten up the day by being friendly and nice. The reason they come back is because i've done my damndest to treat them with respect, do right by them and even if i make a mistake make sure that in the end they get what they need! At least i hope that's why they come back! There are some days customers make you feel like the scum on their shoes. Rather than get pissy and refuse to serve them like some do, in my case i try and grin and bear it. It's not always easy, and as can be expected if you're rude and aren't all that understanding, you may not be handed everything on a silver platter. Sometimes if you can't get a part or a straight answer IT'S BECAUSE NEITHER CAN WE. It's not in my nature to lie to people, but sometimes there are thing beyond the bike shop employees control.... Local distro- Euro distro- etc etc etc

In terms of recognition, yes if you are in a shop a lot and they dont recognise you, it's a bit off. But i can tell you this for free, there are some customers I look forward to dealing with when they roll in, or if i spot 'em outside. Not even for the banter, some people are just nice. However, some people...well. you know yourself. I'm not saying that if you aren't getting discount you're a) b) or c). Or if you're getting talked down to that you know nothing about bikes. But if you can build up a relationship with the person youre dealing with, note person, then i'm sure you'll have a much better experience in any shop you go into. If i was looking for a bike, i wouldn't presume that the person dealing with me knew how much i knew about bikes!

Some customers get discount and deals because they've been coming in for years and have built up a rapport. Some get it because they know a staff member. Some get it because they make a bloody good first impression. Sometimes, you may have to point out you've been coming in a lot, not the fairest, but it happens. And in my case i actually like doing deals with people, makes them satisfied and me happy because they are.. blah...

I'm going to leave my reply there, hopefully that adds a little to our side of the scales (the bike shop employees all over)

I understand where youre all coming from, i've been in your shoes. If you have complaints, go into the shop, tell them. Up front, it can be embarrassing, but it is also appreciated, I have had to rethink how i deal with people everyday from my first week in work. Everyday i have to.. But also, remember that we work in a bike shop because we love bikes, and if you can maybe treat us as fellow cyclists too, it'll benefit both of us... I should replace jerry springer...

Square Wheel cycles in Temple Bar too.