http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Edinburgh Bike Shops en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:00:55 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-357716 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 20:47:44 +0000 mcairney 357716@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks, all sorted now (Ace Bikes were open). New gear cable required but thankfully front mech is fine. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-357710 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 20:04:48 +0000 SRD 357710@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bike works is open. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-357708 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 17:33:36 +0000 mcairney 357708@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Semi OT but anyone know which bike shops are open during the festive period? My front derailleur has stopped derailing and I suspect it’s just the cable but in case it’s something a bit more serious </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-357698 Fri, 24 Dec 2021 13:45:12 +0000 Frenchy 357698@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Noticed this week that:</p> <p>There's a new shop open on Newington Road - roughly opposite the old Bicycle Repair Man shop. <a href="https://projektride.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">https://projektride.co.uk/</a></p> <p>Criterium Cycles (at Dobbie's) have moved (slightly) - entrance is now directly from the car park, rather than having to go through the main Dobbie's store. Still no bike parking anywhere in sight, though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-317185 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 21:23:51 +0000 LaidBack 317185@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@arellcat - sorry to hear that. 'Good' shops should realise that they have to treat people with respect.<br /> CS floral spanner award sounds good. They do sort BMX bikes from Crags and get on well with varied clientelle. Were c!osed for a late holiday - nice to come back to. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-317181 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 20:19:45 +0000 gembo 317181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was in the cycle service today, saw the flowers but missed the award (clear glass). Well deserved award </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-317180 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 19:43:09 +0000 Arellcat 317180@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>not quite cool enough to actually bother serving</em></p> <p>I've had this at certain motorbike shops. I go to Infinity, in York, and the guy says "Hello, how can I help?" and remembers me from two years previously. I go to one of the shops in Edinburgh and it's "Hello, how can I ignore you?"</p> <p>EBC I like and dislike at the same time. I've known one or two of them for 20 years, but otherwise I'm just another random person who ends up having to either order something in, or goes somewhere else when you Need Stuff Today.</p> <p>The Cycle Service scooped a well deserved award at the Cycling Scotland civic reception last night, for their accessibility and outreach. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-317154 Tue, 05 Nov 2019 16:31:59 +0000 LaidBack 317154@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Not sure if this is latest shop thread but anyway...</em></p> <p>Latest from Argyle Place.</p> <p>The Bicycle Works is now owned and run by three employees of said establishment. </p> <p>Javier Z, Joe T and John H - all with first class skills and found behind a workstand most days.</p> <p>Rest of team will stay the same David, Angus, Euan and others. </p> <p>Previously a partnership between Andrew Davies and John Anderson. As many here will know Andrew retired over a year ago. With the team there things pretty much carried on as before - Andrew drops by from time to time.<br /> John Anderson too has been a central figure in bike sport here. He set up the Tri centre in Newington and ran shop in Peebles (both were sold). Tour O The Borders was also invented by him whilst we shared premises at Marchmont.</p> <p>News has been under wraps for a while (months and longer) but all through now - although everyone here maybe knows already? Good to see the shop there keep its core team and approach. (Yes, booking isn't something they do but who know if that will change)<br /> Next door there will be a cafe (still under construction by Bearded Barrista and associates)</p> <p>Sure many will wish them all the best on the next chapter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-292226 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 12:50:22 +0000 gembo 292226@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is Velow with a W. THe W is for Walter. Now you do not get so many byoung chaps called Walter do you? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-292224 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 12:47:44 +0000 Cyclingmollie 292224@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't know how it is spelled as I asked the owner what the business was called but I think you are right. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-292222 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 12:25:54 +0000 urchaidh 292222@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.velow.cc">Velow</a> with a 'w'? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-292219 Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:42:46 +0000 Cyclingmollie 292219@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>New bike shop opening in Portobello soon. It's called Velo, at Tribe Porty, in the space beside what was the entrance to Earthy. The owner has moved his business there from Leith. He specialises in building up vintage frames of which he seems to have many displayed in the window. He also does servicing etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288819 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:39:04 +0000 ejstubbs 288819@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I find EBC frustratingly inconsistent. I've had great experiences there in the past, and I've also been made to feel "not quite cool enough to actually bother serving" by some staff who seem to have attended the <em>How to Ignore a Customer Without Making it Glaringly Obvious</em> course - aka <em>Yes, Chatting to your Colleagues and/or Pals about your Latest Ride really <u>is</u> More Important than Actually Helping Customers to Buy Stuff</em>.</p> <p>At the weekend I popped in to the Bruntsfield shop to pick up an item I'd ordered through their web site. It took a fair while to find a free member of staff to start with, which was a little peeving, but what annoyed me more was that, when I did get to speak to the guy on the "back" desk (the one by the riding gear &amp; shoes) another couple hijacked him as he was setting off to find my order. They occupied him long enough for him to forget the name the order was under, so he had to come back and ask me again. It was entirely unclear to me why those two other people were apparently accorded priority over me. That was annoying.</p> <p>Then I was asked to pay the full amount of the order, despite having entered my credit card details when I placed the order online in order, so the web site gave me to understand, to pay a deposit on the item. I queried this, and was assured that "the manager here often doesn't bother to take the deposit, but if you do find that you've been charged twice then come back and we'll sort it out". I suggested that this was more than a little confusing for customers, but the attitude seemed to be "that's the way it's done". Which wasn't helpful. Either they want a deposit or they don't - and asking customers to help them sort out their inability to follow their own procedures is a bit much IMO.</p> <p>Another thing that concerns me is that, if the manager has discretion whether or not to take the deposit, that suggests that he has access to the credit card details I submitted to the web site, which is emphatically <u>not</u> what I expect to be the case when paying online.</p> <p>As I say, I have had good experiences with EBC, but they do seem to have a remarkable propensity to be <em>just</em> inconsistent and disorganised enough to be frustrating to deal with at times.</p> <p>Stop press: I have just now received an invoice from EBC for the item I picked up on Saturday. For one thing, the invoice does not add up - the total is less than the cost of the item. Worse, at the top of the invoice it says "Once your package ships we'll send an email with a link to track your order". Er...I've already got it! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288814 Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:54:24 +0000 DaveC 288814@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strong>Edinburgh Bike Coop.</strong></p> <p>I needed a longer fork Crown Hex bolt for my Dawes as the B&amp;M dymano light bracket pushes the length required over the std 45mm bolt.<br /> I called them up and was told to pop down, as they have a drawer full of stuff.<br /> Yep they had a few similar to my requirement and <strong>gave me 3 bolts of various sizes free!</strong> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288328 Fri, 03 Aug 2018 19:41:23 +0000 gembo 288328@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Met him at apple pie. He has JOCKY on the crossbar. This was way back </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288294 Fri, 03 Aug 2018 09:57:12 +0000 Cyclingmollie 288294@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Exellent. The guy who sold me the book said he'd met Jocky Allan when he and his wife had been shopping for a chain guard. EBC said they weren't made any more. Jocky asked what colour they wanted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288253 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 17:22:02 +0000 chdot 288253@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>he was involved in starting the SCU (Scottish Cyclists’ Union), ESCA (the East of Scotland Cycling Association), the White Heather cycling club (which later became the Edinburgh Road Club) </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="http://www.veloveritas.co.uk/2008/07/18/jocky-allan/" rel="nofollow">http://www.veloveritas.co.uk/2008/07/18/jocky-allan/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288250 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 17:13:33 +0000 chdot 288250@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“The Jock being Jocky Allan who had the bike shop in Leith Walk.“</p> <p>One of life’s characters!</p> <p>In the past past he had a shop in LW, then Jane Street for many years and back to LW when it was demolished.</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/1_edin/1_edinburgh_history_-_recollections_cycling.htm#4_phil_wilson" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/1_edin/1_edinburgh_history_-_recollections_cycling.htm#4_phil_wilson</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-288248 Thu, 02 Aug 2018 17:00:48 +0000 Cyclingmollie 288248@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I picked up a cycling book at the Out of the Blue Flea Market in Dalmeny Street at the weekend. It has an Edinburgh bike shop connection. The dedication reads: </p> <p>"To Jock, to whom the sport owes a great debt! Phil Liggett".</p> <p>The Jock being Jocky Allan who had the bike shop in Leith Walk.</p> <p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/26Z8zNG"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/41996996160_d68fa67024.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="https://flic.kr/p/29EFUU5"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1776/43757360852_ede607083b.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285646 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 14:12:16 +0000 gembo 285646@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@frenchy, yes I am aware of your metrics as I am about to enter your third phase. Which is not so cheerful really. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285642 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 13:09:30 +0000 Frenchy 285642@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I will merely point out that life expectancy in Edinburgh is ~78 years (81 for women, 76 for men, with significant discrepancies between affluent and non-affluent areas.</p> <p>Anyone over 26 are therefore in the "middle" third of their life.</p> <p>This has been your daily does of depressing statistics! For tomorrow's dose, keep an eye on the Climate Change thread! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285634 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 11:43:23 +0000 Roibeard 285634@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Frenchy - surely 35+ is way too young, 45+ might be better and for cyclists, perhaps adjusted further!</p> <p>Robert (middle-aged only by certain definitions...) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285623 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 09:05:21 +0000 gembo 285623@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>&gt;35</p> <p>Childhood 0-15</p> <p>Young Person 16-17</p> <p>Young Adult 18-30..?</p> <p>Adult 31+</p> <p>Pensioner 65</p> <p>Death 78?</p> <p>Probably say 40 is middle age. Though accept 50 is the new forty.</p> <p>Whatever, I know when I tick a box on a survey now, I have to quote Elvis and go Way Down </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285620 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 08:30:28 +0000 Frenchy 285620@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I suggest cyclists should reject the definitions that say 35+.</em></p> <p>In favour of ones which say &lt;35? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285617 Sat, 23 Jun 2018 07:40:26 +0000 Roibeard 285617@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt - social scientist have such strange definitions of middle aged. I suggest cyclists should reject the definitions that say 35+.</p> <p>Remember the research that suggests a body age at least 10 years less than chronological!</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=5#post-285593 Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:32:00 +0000 I were right about that saddle 285593@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Try some Middle Ages Lady axecraft and head for the Bike Station? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=4#post-285588 Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:19:45 +0000 unhurt 285588@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>NotEdinburgh but Alpine Bikes in Perth demonstrating exactly how to make a customer feel unwelcome and then unnecessary. Approached a (literally) spotty youth in the shop floor and explained there should be a couple of helmets put aside for me to try - Alpine Bikes in Stockbridge didn't have them in my size yesterday &amp; since I was going north they called up for me.</p> <p>— Oh. Uh. Is it this one? (pointing at a too small helmet)<br /> — No... A medium. Like I said. It should be in the back, along with a medium in the men's version.<br /> - uh, what colour is the men's?<br /> — I don't know. It will be with the other one, with a note with my name.<br /> *youth exits reluctantly backstage*<br /> I wait. I wait some more. I look at some socks. And then, a couple of metres away I spy the youth. He is wheeling a bike. He is putting the bike on a stand and starting to adjust the handlebars. A colleague is doing something to the back wheel.<br /> The colleague spots me lurking and asks if he can help me.<br /> - er. I was talking to your colleague and he was going to get me a couple of helmets from in back?<br /> The spotty youth looks at me with disgruntlement and says<br /> - uh. Oh yeah.. .<br /> He slopes of unenthusiastically and returns almost at once with one helmet. He cannot find the other. He then stands over it and watches silently as I try it for fit, adjust the straps, decide it will do. And then he... Tries to take it away from me? Possibly to ring up at once, but without any verbal communication to ascertain if I do actually want to buy it. </p> <p>Basically this had all the hallmarks of Middle Aged Lady Invisibility Syndrome. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=4#post-194205 Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:09:46 +0000 BaseCut 194205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Very positive experience with Bike Craft this week. Speedy turnaround on a broken bottom bracket, allowing me to get home on the bike rather than the bus. I was impressed with the £10 labour cost which included ungumming my gears. I'll be back. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=4#post-165206 Tue, 16 Sep 2014 09:32:07 +0000 algo 165206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have in general had good experiences in EBC, but there is one staff member who patronisingly assumed his technical knowledge greatly outweighed mine… I had gone in to measure something on a similar new frame after I had an accident on my bike. He was very wrong in everything he said but treated me like a fool - the boss came over and confirmed what I had said at which point he shrugged his shoulders and rudely went to self-aggrandise elsewhere. I think in general the staff there are very good, and I wonder if the bad service is by the same one person... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=517&page=4#post-165199 Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:41:28 +0000 SRD 165199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was at the bike coop a few weeks ago looking for bike for my daughter too. Somewhat frustrating on various levels. But the denouement topped it all. Guy on till was trying hard to convince me to bring my bike in for a service - I said 'I don't come here for services anymore". He wanted to know why. More discussion. All while ringing up my purchase - a bottle cage and a replacement light. I thought something was a bit odd, but I was focussing on being polite. Only when we'd cycled off did i twig that he'd rung the light through twice giving me a total of over £20 rather than £10.</p> <p>(I should say, he was trying very hard to provide good service and redeem their reputation; this was just a mistake because he was distracted - but he started the discussion, not me) </p>