CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Decathlon Sports Store

(32 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by oldcyclist1
  • Latest reply from gembo

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  1. oldcyclist1
    Member

    Hi everyone,

    I'm new to this forum so I apologise if I accidentally break any rules.

    I work for a sports retailer called Decathlon and cycling is one of our main sports in the store. We have recently opened at Hermiston Gait and I was wondering if many people in the Edinburgh cycling community had heard of the company before?

    As this is only our second store in Scotland I am trying to increase awareness of who we are and what we offer.

    Please feel free to ask any questions

    http://www.Decathlon.co.uk is the online store

    Regards

    Posted 12 years ago #
  2. wingpig
    Member

    Morning. You have been anticipated.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  3. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I can see it from where I am sitting just now. If I stand up and go to the window, that is.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  4. DaveC
    Member

    Hi oldcyclist1,

    Yes we popped in on 24th November for a look round. I was happy with the range of bikes, though they do appear to be some new make I've not heard of before. The store has a good range of accessories like helmets, etc... It all looked a litle budget though, not that I'm complaining, but I saw only a few brand names I recognised, like Shimano. I'm not sure when we'll be back as we live in Fife but there does appear to be a cross over (or some comonality) bewteen Decathlon, Go Outdoors and other large 'supermarlet' sized outdoor sporting shops around in Scotland.

    One thing I was impressed with was the mature looking staff who (rightly or wrongly) give the impression they won't be the typical teenager who is clueless about the products in the shop they work for...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  5. kaputnik
    Moderator

    In defence of "teenagers", the ones in Velo Ecosse are pretty clued up!

    Posted 12 years ago #
  6. I've been to a couple of the stores in France and was always impressed by seeing basically what Halford here should have been like. It's not a local bike store, it serves a different purpose, and it'll be interesting to see how Decathlon plays against Halfords.

    Wrong side of the city for me to 'pop to' - but planning on dropping in at some point to have a gander.

    DaveC, the brand of the bikes is likely Decathlon's own - like Halfords with Apollo - though from what I've seen in the past the range is more extensive, and better, than the equivalent Apollos.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  7. cb
    Member

    B'Twin seems to be the cycle brand, owned by Decathlon

    I popped in briefly the other day. There did seem to be a pretty good range of stuff, not just cycling of course.

    I wasn't really in for anything; the only thing I saw that I though, "oh, I could do with some of those" was some ski goggles, but they only came in 'junior' size.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  8. Instography
    Member

    Their clothes seem good. My rain jacket - which seemed flimsy and 'emergency' when I got it - has survived daily wear. Similarly, the long-sleeved slightly fleecy cycling jersey I wear and wash very regularly looks good as new.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  9. crowriver
    Member

    I shall have to pop in for a gander when I get the chance. Well, as Anth says, 'pop in' is not correct as I live on the opposite side of the city. However I am curious to see what the store is like.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  10. custard
    Member

    I was in recently
    since you ask,why no cycle parking provision?

    Posted 12 years ago #
  11. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Only cycle racks I've found at Hermiston Gait is B&Q's. Slight irony not lost on me that a development named for the old Scots implying that you walk it should be so car-centric.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  12. cb
    Member

    "so car-centric. "

    Haven't you heard that it's entirely anti-car?

    Posted 12 years ago #
  13. crowriver
    Member

    "Retired banker David Hamilton received the penalty notice..." (my emphasis).

    Bang goes the sympathy vote.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  14. Claggy Cog
    Member

    I have in my experience of car-centric out-of-the-city shopping estates, such as Straiton and Fort Kinnaird found no bike parking. There was none at all at Straiton prior to the new extension where M&S, Next and Boots are, and that has only been in the last two years, not even outside Halfords, which as we know sells bikes and bike accessories, or JD Sports, and about three outside Ikea, and none at FK at all that I could find.

    @crowriver - banker retired at 60, lucky him, I thought the age of retirement for men was 65 and has been for decades...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  15. kaputnik
    Moderator

    @Liz - not if you take "early" retirement! Both my parents retired before 60/65 (teacher / Engineer). So both retired before they are "pensioners". My Dad got a bus pass at 60 I think.

    @crowriver - if, forbid, anything should happen to me on the bike, inevitably the Hootsman or Chipwrapper will report "deceased, 29, banker was wearing a helmet". I take it I will not have your sympathy vote either?

    (for the record - I'm not a "banker" by profession, and don't really have anything to do with banking. I so happen to be employed by "a bank" - which the high standard of local journalism is sure to report as "a banker")

    Posted 12 years ago #
  16. crowriver
    Member

    I thought the age of retirement for men was 65 and has been for decades...

    That's the age at which you have to retire, ie. your employer can make you. Also the age at which you are entitled to a state pension. This statutory retirement age will be going up to 67, then 68 I think. Of course, you can choose (or be given incentive to) retire earlier, and claim an occupational pension at that stage, if you have one, which is based on years of service and salary earned rather than minimum NI contributions. By the time I retire I will (probably) be much older than the chap above.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  17. crowriver
    Member

    I'm not a "banker" by profession, and don't really have anything to do with banking. I so happen to be employed by "a bank"

    Standard journalese would be "financial services worker", or maybe "graphic designer"?

    Anyway, our 'banker' pensioner only got a parking fine. No road accidents, injurious or otherwise, were reported. So your headline might be "Fixie riding designer, 29, apoplectic with outrage at being given fixed penalty and a caution for jumping red light/riding on pavement/being incapacitated due to drink while in charge of a bicycle"

    Posted 12 years ago #
  18. crowriver
    Member

    @Liz: about three outside Ikea.

    I can report that, on a recent jaunt on the Globe hybrid from Bonaly to Straiton (whilst No1 son was on a Beaver Scouts activity day), i noted reasonable provision of Sheffield stands at IKEA. Only about 4 bikes locked up including mine, plenty of space to park. It was tricky to get access though due to a crowd of (mostly overweight) folk watching a rather bizarre display of a live (hooded) falcon being paraded by a callow youth under the awnings in front of the store. No idea what that was in aid of! Presumably a temporary event. Anyway bike parking very handy for the entrance to the store, could not be more convenient.

    I will be back to IKEA with the Ute when we get a good dry day, and not too windy...

    Posted 12 years ago #
  19. oldcyclist1
    Member

    Good to see that a few people are aware of the store already.

    The Decathlon cycling brand is Btwin, which despite being one of the biggest Bike brands in the world, is not well known in Scotland as yet. Generally speaking the Btwin frames are allied to branded parts, with the technical quality (compared to price) generally high and backed by a 5yr warranty.
    I would encourage everyone to visit us and try out any of the bikes in store (if you knock someone over try to ensure they are wearing a Decathlon waistcoat!!)

    Re Cycle parking - our land is rented from Tescos. The Store Manager and I are currently trying to get parking areas in place.

    Hopefully see a few of you in the store soon, feel free to ask any questions on here too.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  20. To throw in my tuppence worth, I'm a relative bicycling gear novice, don't feel compelled to buy something because of the branding and think I qualify to comment on the quality of the gear I use, given I cycle practically every day for at least 8 hours.

    I've recently bought a BTwin softshell winter jacket, waterproof overjacket, thermal bib and various other bits and bobs. My overall impression after a month of intensive use is that the quality exceeds expectation and comes highly recommended. The softshell is durable, comfortable, warm and substantially showerproof. Having used it all day on a few occasions in sub zero temperatures it keeps you snug and it is not too snug on the body like some of the more expensive brands if you're not a skinny dude, like myself. It's breathability is not top notch but I can live with that bearing in mind what you're spending. The waterproof overjacket cost £30 and rivals my Montane and Endura equivalents at double the cost.

    I'm considering investing in their entry level road bike at sub £300 as a fair weather option, simply because the gear and quality of the bike build is quite impressive for the price.

    Bike snobs give it a try; you'll be pleasantly surprised. Everyone else, look no further than this place for reasonably priced and technically superior kit for the price.

    Posted 12 years ago #
  21. jdanielp
    Member

    Shortly after joining the canal towpath on my commute home last night, an abrupt clanking noise from the bike made me aware that something was very wrong. I stopped under Gogar Station Road Bridge to investigate and found a large nail embedded in the Marathon Plus to the rear. There was too much nail protruding to continue cycling (the clanking noise must have been the nail scraping against the mudguard) so I wrestled it out (which took some effort) and was unsurprised to find that the tube immediately deflated. The last time this had happened was near the Bridge 8 Hub on the way into work back in Autumn 2018 - on that occasion I could continue cycling since little of the nail was protruding and when I did remove it at work, the tube somehow stayed inflated. I replaced the tyre shortly after that.

    I considered my options: pushing the bike back to work and then either attempting to fix it there or locking up and catching a bus back into town, or continuing onwards, possibly via a tram or a taxi. I consulted the WhatsApp group and was reminded that there is the outdoor store Decathlon at Hermiston Gait, which I had never been in, so decided to push the bike there and see if they could help or at least find some light and warmth in which I could attempt to fix it myself...

    When I arrived at Decathlon and explained my situation, the store assistant radioed for a member of the bike team to come and see me. I was told that unfortunately the bike mechanic was on a break but that I could start trying to fix the issue myself, which I did. I managed to remove the back wheel quite easily but proceeded to have more difficultly unseating the Marathon Plus. The security guard watched with pity for a while and then came over to offer some advice and practical help and had the tyre off in no time! The mechanic appeared to see how I was getting on, despite being on their break, and invited me to use the workshop in the meantime.

    I soon had the punctured tube out, my spare tube in and the tyre back on (with some more advice/help from the security guard!) and inflated it, only for it to deflate almost immediately - either a bad tube or, more likely, that it was twisted/pinched when I was rushing to put the tyre back on given that there hadn't been any debris remaining inside the tyre. At this point the mechanic returned and had the tyre back off, a new tube in, the tyre back on and inflated successfully in no time, and then proceeded to put the wheel back on my bike, attach the hub gear changer and, for good measure, adjust the rear brake caliper which was apparently rubbing a bit (I hadn't noticed).

    I was extremely appreciative of the help, asked how much it would be but was told that there was no charge! I tried to protest, but failed...

    I'm afraid that I had previously considered Decathlon to offer a similar level of support as Halfords in terms of bikes (despite never having visited) although following the knowledgeable and friendly help from both the security guard and the actual bike staff, the brand has risen considerably in my expectations and I now feel reassured that if this happens again, help is at hand. I am also painfully aware that my own skills with Marathon Plus tyres are severly lacking - I have had them off and on in the comfort of my home but did poorly when tested!

    Posted 4 years ago #
  22. dessert rat
    Member

    @jdanielp - that may win the award for the oldest resurrected thread.

    I guess there may be others, but unless its a genuine continuation of a thread they don't count. Please have 5 internet points.

    Good on Decathlon. I was there at the weekend, good baselayers.

    Posted 4 years ago #
  23. crowriver
    Member

    That's a cheery tale to warm the cockles on a breezy blustery day.

    Decathlon just went up in my estimation too - along with human race overall (well the cycling bits of it anyway).

    Posted 4 years ago #
  24. gembo
    Member

    Gatorskins sometimes cheaper in decathlon too, not always

    Posted 4 years ago #
  25. Greenroofer
    Member

    I like Decathlon. Their stuff is good value: cheap or expensive you get what you pay for and then some. I love the merino jersey I got for £50, and am devastated to find they are completely sold out (so presumably I'm not the only person who recognises a good deal when they see one).
    https://road.cc/content/review/268101-triban-long-sleeved-merino-wool-bike-touring-jersey

    Posted 4 years ago #
  26. gembo
    Member

    @greenroofer, nice jersey. Sustrans really hassling me to go see you at RBS in a couple of weeks. 6.30pm I have booked my tix

    Posted 4 years ago #
  27. jdanielp
    Member

    @Iain McR thanks.

    @crowriver indeed!

    @gembo I have also been invited but have not booked yet...

    Posted 4 years ago #
  28. Greenroofer
    Member

    @gembo I look forward to seeing you.You'll have to sit through a presentation from me that features pictures of bicycles.

    Posted 4 years ago #
  29. gembo
    Member

    @greenroofer, any drink?

    Posted 4 years ago #
  30. Greenroofer
    Member

    Only non alcoholic. The food looks good though: Sustrans are using the RBS caterers, who usually lay on a good shad

    Posted 4 years ago #

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