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Edinburgh Bike Shops

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Started 14 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
Latest reply from mcairney

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Wilmington's Cow
Member

Have we done this before? What are your impressions of the bike shops in Edinburgh?

For my part:

Edinburgh Bike Co-Op
Looooaaaads of stuff and generally very friendly and enthusiastic staff. But can be a bit hard to get a member of staff when it's busy, and there's no particularly obvious 'queue here to pay' kind of thing that somewhere so busy probably should have (yes, I know they have counters, but they're not always manned and you wind up hanging about like a spare part. There's a fairly hefty mountain biking bias as well.

I have to say I reckon the servicing can be a little patchy. Most of what I've heard is secondhand, but a few years back I put my MTB in as I just didn't have the time. When it came back it felt worse than before and I ended up redoing everything a couple of weeks later.

Velo Ecosse
Not used them much, given the proximity to the Bike Co-Op...

Bike Trax
Such a nice range of bikes, I could spend an hour just window shopping those. Quite a limited range of parts, but usually at decent prices and the staff are friendly and helpful - except on one occasion when I was told that a certain type of brake lever wouldn't work with a certain type of brake, which was completely wrong.

MacDonald Cycles
Always feels very 'yoof' and I tended to avoid the place - very very limited bits and bobs range. Last time I went in, though, I got served by a very nice young chap. Slightly odd that bikes seem to be serviced out in the shop floor.

The Edinburgh Bike Chain
Only used them once, years ago, to install a headset. And a very good job they made of it, and were very very happy to stop and chat about the planned build. Nice shop as well, felt airy and open. I don't really ever have cause to go by (I used to live in Trinity so had a route into town past it), so can't comment on the last few years!

The Bicycle Works
Hit or miss depending on who you get serving you! But, they tend to have those parts that no-one else has (save one place to come) AND (this being the big bonus) they're open relatively late meaning a stop ont he way home from work is possible.

Bike Station
Old parts galore in the refurbished premises - utterly chaotic place, but a joy if you're into your old bikes, or just bringing bikes back to life!

Not been to the Leith Cycle Co. or Eastside Bikes (still up for sale?) or BG Cycles, so can't comment on those.

We've got the whole gamut though. Edinburgh Bike Co-Op is sort of the Asda Walmart of bike shops, down to the locally-sourced organic Bike Station. We're kinda spoilt for choice really.

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"Have we done this before? What are your impressions of the bike shops in Edinburgh?"

There was some general discussion here -

http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=245

Including my words -

My advice has always been -

"Edinburgh is fortunate to have a range of shops. Try a few, ask for advice, choose one you feel comfortable with."

That was written a few years ago, and the choice is now wider/better.

Most people have a 'favourite' shop and (probably) some horror stories. Just be aware that 'offending staff' may have left and shops/people have off days!

Eastside is under new ownership.

Posted 14 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

We've had good experiences with minor repairs at the Bicycle Repair Man in Newington (I hope that's the right name, it's what comes up when you google). Near intersection Newington and Salisbury. Nice range of lights and gloves too.

Posted 14 years ago #
Stepdoh
Member

Always like going into Leith Cycle Co, pretty honest with the repairs, and seem happy to do obvious hard bits (stuck cartridges etc) and let you carry on with the rest of the repair yourself.

Had a gear service done and they basically said my drivetrain was knackered, but got it up to a pretty good standard.

Posted 14 years ago #
miggy_magic
Member

Leith Bicycles - been a few times and they've always been nice and have done a good job when my bike's needed servicing. My first choice.

Bike Works - agree with anth, they're hit and miss. Made a mess of trueing a wheel but it was a young mechanic so didn't want to upset him by making a fuss in front of him. Took it back the next day and they fixed it for free. Other times have been great.

Bike Trax - felt I was being spoken to in a condescending manner and haven't been back. Nice shop though.

velo ecosse - haven't used it for repairs but bought a few bits and bobs. Really nice guys there and I think the hanging baskets outside are a lovely touch.

Edinburgh Bicycle Coop - lovely shop, nice attentive staff, welcoming to all, yet can be a painful experience getting served!

Yes, I think we're lucky to have such a range of quality independent shops in our wee city.

Posted 14 years ago #
Kim
Member

Edinburgh Bike Co-Op

They have loads of stuff, except the thing I went in for, not always the cheapest place, good for browsing around in the sales.

Velo Ecosse

Interesting for an occasional browse, staff can be a wee bit stand offish, mainly aimed at the club cyclist.

Bike Trax

Haven't used them much, but have always been friendly when I have done in.

MacDonald Cycles

Nice if you want a Bianchi or a Raleigh.

The Edinburgh Bike Chain

Is that somewhere north of Princes Street?

The Bicycle Works

If only they would bring back the booking system, it can take weeks to get my bike in for a service because they are always full. Great for the bits you can't get else where. Cheap GatorSkins.

Bike Station

The place to pick up a second hand bargain, or you want to work on your own bike.

Freewheeling

Was very handy when I lived in Gorgie

Bicycle Repair Man

Friendly, but limited range.

The Tri Centre

Interesting range of bikes, bike fitting service (recommended if you are buying a new bike), very friendly, will make sure the bike you buy is right for you (can say that about for some shops, one in Brunsfield springs to mind). Will probably buy my next bike there, especially if I win the lottery...

Posted 14 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

Edinburgh Bicycle - generally welcoming in my experience - though it does depend who you get - and I'd agree it's sometimes tricky getting served. I don't know if it's just me but they seem to have less and less stock actually on display these days, which means it takes even longer to buy what I want (sometimes it'll be in the warehouse and a day or two to get it in). Mainly I'll buy only small spares like cables or bar tape now, but it's still my first choice for buying clothes.

BikeTrax - I'm visiting this shop more often these days, actually. A bit 'gritty' compared with the polished sheen of EBC with more bits and pieces on display, and I like the staff. They've been in the biz long enough to know how it works. And they stock Carradice. The low ceiling by the counter gives it an exciting 'underground cavern' feeling which is quite groovy if you like that sort of thing.

The Bicycleworks - Still as cheerfully grimy and offhand as ever in my experience but it's a good shop for componentry and obviously for repairs, and the only shop I think that's open when people aren't busy at work. I tend not to go in much though because I do all my own servicing.

The Bike Chain - Very friendly, on the few times I've been in for advice. I'm not sure I've bought very much from them though.

Alpine Bikes - An odd sort of shop to me, very spacious for not many staff, the light turquoise decor made me feel strangely irritable, and the counter also seemed to be a workbench. But they were friendly when I was last in and were happy to spend time recommending things.

I've only been to velo ecosse once and haven't been to The Bicycle Man, the Leith Cycle Co. or the Eastside place, and it's been years since I visited what became Bain's Bikes in Newhaven.

Posted 14 years ago #
Kirst
Member

I got my bike from the Bike Co-op and had nothing but problems with it for the first few months. I had real problems changing gears, nearly every time I tried the chain would come off, or get stuck between the sprockets and have to be pulled out. I took it back to the shop several times and they kept telling me there was nothing wrong with it - the inference was that I didn't know how to ride it. As a returner to cycling, that wasn't very inspiring. Anyway, one day I was doing their one-day maintenance course, and realised that they'd put brake outers on my gear cables. They were very apologetic and swapped them over without charge, but I'm still annoyed they sent a bike out with a basic error like that, and even more annoyed they kept not believing me when I told them something was wrong.

I find Bicycle Repair Man at Newington are pretty good. Also Freewheeling on slateford Road.

Posted 14 years ago #
recombodna
Member

Yeah my bike coop bike came with the chain too short then at it's 6 week service they put the seat post all the way down so the shortmechanic could test ride it and scratched it all up. Also the bike had a problem with the chain coming off the front chainring and they fixed this by bolting what looks like a bit of dexian shelving to the chain gaurd thingy. Ach ye live and learn but I lose the will to live when I'm in that shop now. Freewheeling on slateford road I found the guy to be rude and patronising and the same with bike trax.Good experiences at bike works and bicycle repair man though. i generally bike station it or shop online for stuff.

Posted 14 years ago #
RJ
Member

Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Op
Lots of stuff, though a surprisingly limited range of brands. Revolution/EBC own brand stuff can be good value. Staff generally friendly and helpful. Can be incredibly busy at weekends. My first bike service there 8 years ago put me off for good to:

Bicycle Works (Argyle Place)
I really like this place and have no complaints about the standard of work they've done for me over the years, including wheel-building. 8 till 8 weekday opening is great. I don't have a problem with the "first come first served" non-booking system: it's very democratic. They carry a small range of accessories and components and they're pretty friendly. Scruffy? It's a repair shop, the work's good and prices keen - who cares?!

Bike Trax
Possibly the most "everyday" range of bikes and kit and for that reason the shop I'd like to like most. I was put off by an offhand moment a couple of years ago, but I get the impression they're a bit more on the ball these days. On the up?

Alpine Bikes
Nearest bike shop to work, but not one I'm particularly keen on. Can't really put my finger on why, though (as Arellcat says) the colour scheme's a bit bleurghh.

The Bike Chain
Much as other comments. Friendly, but not much used due to their location in relation to mine.

Velo Ecosse
Assos kit at Assos prices. Very roadie.

Bicycle Repair Man
Little used by me in spite of being closest to home. I just don't go that way very often, comapred with passing the Bicycle Works twice daily. The "we do not lend tools" sign, though understandable, is a tad offputting.

Posted 14 years ago #
RJ
Member

Sorry - forgot the Bike Station: the only place in town that had a LH (front) friction thumbie when I needed one!!

Posted 14 years ago #
Kim
Member

I forgot Alpine Bikes, I actually bought my current bike from the Aberdeen branch. It did have a problem with changing down to the granny ring until I moved back to Edinburgh and had it serviced at the Bicycle Works (where they changed the shims between the rings). I have picked up some sale bargains in Stockbridge branch, but don't go there often as the are plenty of other bike nearer to hand.

Posted 14 years ago #
spytfyre
Member

Freewheelin on Slateford Road
Very friendly service
Small store but will happily order anything in obviously
Reasonable prices

Posted 14 years ago #
wee folding bike
Member

Got a Revolution kids bike from the Co-op in September. They didn't have one in stock so I got it in the post later in the week. Everything works OK, hubs a wee bit tight. I have some trouble believing the dispatch note which claimed it had been ridden by the guy who assembled and checked it.

I don't use bike shops for my Brompton parts much since Kinetics took 6 months to replace a hinge so I get it all mail order.

Alistair Gow is always worth a visit.

Posted 14 years ago #
Min
Member

I'm a bit turned off by the bike co-op since it is always very busy. It's kind of like a bike supermarket, it is nice to go in a browse for stuff. I always used Velo Ecosse in preference and found the staff friendly and helpful.

Alpine Bikes-Is handy for bits and pieces if you need anything on a Sunday since it is open then but as other people have said, I am not too keen for some undefinable reason. I don't think it is the wall colour.

The Bike Chain-My favourite. The staff are lovely and I always feel I am taken seriously there which is very important. Plus it is just a nice shop to be in since there is space to move about.

I haven't really used MacDonalds or Bike Trax apart from a browse round.

Posted 14 years ago #
gembo
Member

TheBikeChain is the best Shoppe. It is in North Edinburgh tho and many on this forum appear to get lost beyond Princes Street?

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"many on this forum appear to get lost beyond Princes Street"

many on this forum are too scared to cross Princes Street

Posted 14 years ago #
Kim
Member

It is the tram tracks, some of us can't cross them ;-)

Posted 14 years ago #
Min
Member

"We don't go North of Princes Street after, well - ever."

;-)

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"It is the tram tracks"

Possible - or it could be like taxi drivers and the Thames...

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"We don't go North of Princes Street after, well - ever."

Proves my point!!

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

I know people who stick to the high ground.

They won't go down The Mound.

Posted 14 years ago #
PS
Member

North Side is where it's at. A bit cobbly in places, but then we're approaching Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, so we'll have all the inspiration we need to attack those secteurs.

Posted 14 years ago #
Dave
Member

It's funny, I know how to get to work in Leith, and to the Forth Bridge (by road and path), but other than that my knowledge stops around Queen St. Do we have a "southist" bike phenomenon?

I think I did once ride down to the bike shop by the water of leith, many years ago, but I hate cobbles. Mind you, they're probably not as bad there as the ones in Leith!

Posted 14 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Lived just off Leith Walk from 2003-2007, and loved it, but never cycled when we were there. We basically moved to the South so that we could go back to cycling.

Posted 14 years ago #
chdot
Admin

"We basically moved to the South so that we could go back to cycling"

Of course most (?) of the north/south divide on this thread is joshing. But that is an interesting comment given that north Edinburgh has a much more extensive off-road network than other parts of Edinburgh (I exclude the Canal and railway path to Balerno as they are more linear - though obviously that is attractive in different ways.)

A while ago there was someone on here asking about places to ride. He lived in Dundas Street but didn't know about Rodney Street Tunnel.

Is it about information/awareness or just the feeling that the 'south' is better connected to places outside Edinburgh?

New thread?

Posted 14 years ago #
SRD
Moderator

Sorry. Should've been more specific. I wanted to cycle to work, which would have been up Leith walk and across bridges. After walking this for 5 years, I was pretty fed up with it. We considered moving east and commuting via Holyrood, but in the end found a place that suited elsewhere.

If I'd had a bike when we moved to Edin, I might have cycled more in North, but (for various complicated reasons) I needed to buy a new bike, and just did not feel inspired to do so while living there (despite living in ex-bike shop!).

Posted 14 years ago #
Dave
Member

You made a good choice not to plan on riding through Holyrood. I sometimes do that on my way home if I'm feeling like I haven't been buzzed by enough motorists recently.

It's good for lots of things, but as a cycle route, not so much.

Posted 14 years ago #
PS
Member

There's possibly a psychological element here. If you live north of the City Centre but south of the off-road network and are heading either into town or across to the southside you are faced with an (in most cases) intimidatingly steep hill (usually with traffic lights that can force a hill start) and/or very busy street.

Once you get used to it you can find an appropriate route across town that you are comfortable with; but that requires you to actually start cycling regularly.

That said, I do see quite a number of cyclists on Broughton Street every morning (and certainly more than there used to be). Probably fewer than on the southside because there isn't a university around there.

The off-road network is a great facility but it is not particularly direct for me, unless you're heading to Leith or Murrayfield and points south-west. I assume that it is well used at commuting time, but it's out of sight, so out of mind. The lack of a cross city centre signed/designated cycle route is a crucial gap in Edinburgh's cycle network, which screams out of the Spokes map.

Anyway, that's all getting somewhat off topic. Back on topic, I'll add my vote to The Bike Chain - nice shop, friendly and helpful staff, decent stock, the occasional organised weekend ride. What more do you want from your local bike shop?

Posted 14 years ago #
Kim
Member

Where does the Rodney Street Tunnel go to? I am vaguely aware that Rodney Street is somewhere north of George St, but haven't ventured out to find out where...

Posted 14 years ago #

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