CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News

Another new shop!

(142 posts)

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  1. Coxy
    Member

    Another Bike Smith for me to avoid!

    Posted 8 years ago #
  2. condor2378
    Member

    "Another Bike Smith for me to avoid!"

    Story time?

    Posted 8 years ago #
  3. LaidBack
    Member

    Is the new Bike Smith in Causewayside open? Been asked to check for new Spokes map directory...

    Posted 7 years ago #
  4. gembo
    Member

    Yes sum, been open about a month?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  5. LaidBack
    Member

    Ta. Can't find details on web.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  6. gembo
    Member

    Yes, best I can get is a map with the pin on the location by typing bike smith causewayside

    All the action is at the west end shop and website

    Posted 7 years ago #
  7. chdot
    Admin

    Rumour has it that Bike Smith is about to open a 3rd shop.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  8. Nelly
    Member

    "Rumour has it that Bike Smith is about to open a 3rd shop"

    How on earth are they financing it? Causewayside seems empty half the time.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  9. chdot
    Admin

    I wondered something similar...

    Posted 7 years ago #
  10. cb
    Member

    "about to open a 3rd shop."

    'Cyclists stay awesome' sticker in the window or am I way off?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    " 'Cyclists stay awesome' sticker in the window or am I way off?"

    Just checked.

    Yes, that's the shop.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  12. chdot
    Admin

  13. gembo
    Member

    Cycle republic = halfords

    Posted 7 years ago #
  14. chdot
    Admin

    "Cycle republic = halfords"

    Ownership yes, but is operating as a seperate - bicycle only - (expanding) retail chain, with 'proper' individual shops.

    But they've tried before -

    "

    Halfords closed its eight Bikehut and Cycle Republic stores in 2009 at a cost of £1.2m as it said they did not deliver sufficient returns on their investment.

    "

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/06/halfords-revive-cycle-republic-retailer-specialist-bicycle-shops-uk-cycling-boom

    Posted 7 years ago #
  15. jules878
    Member

    I cycled to Halfords at Seafield Road last week and asked if I could take a specific bike out for a wee spin.

    Reply

    "No. Health and Safety reasons. All Halford stores have busy car parks."

    But they were willing to unlock it so I could sit on it in the store. Thanks muchly. Not.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  16. wingpig
    Member

    "All Halford stores have busy car parks."

    Could they designate a member of staff deemed capable of crossing roads to accompany you to the shared-use path on the other side of the road, the Restalrig Path or even just to the playing fields round the back?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  17. Frenchy
    Member

    Could they designate a member of staff deemed capable of crossing roads to accompany you to the shared-use path on the other side of the road, the Restalrig Path or even just to the playing fields round the back?

    Are you serious? That'd take at least 5 minutes (approximate wage cost of at least 60p). And then if the customer actually buys something, the staff member would have to spend even longer ringing them up, and trying to convince them to buy some accessories too!

    Posted 7 years ago #
  18. jules878
    Member

    All good points.

    I was slightly stunned by reply to my question so failed to make any of these points myself. I had clearly managed to cycle there safely (unless I'd put on cycle lid and gloves specially to visit shop!) so they obviously don't worry about H&S issues for cycling customers!

    I'd even brought photo ID with me requested elsewhere.

    Sort of seemed like they were busy and not very interested. Wondered if this is really a Halfords wide policy, or whether specific to Seafield, or just lazy staff.

    I got to sit on bike in the store, but didn't really feel enough space to even pedal round in a circle.

    I've not managed to locate Boardman Women's bikes on sale elsewhere in Edinburgh. I fancied a wee trial. If anyone else knows where I can try one out please let me know.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  19. davidsonsdave
    Member

    I was told something similar in the Halfords out in Hermiston Gait. Needless to say, I didn't take them up on their kind offer and took my business elsewhere.

    I was in that store on another occasion and the chap they had let sit on the bike simply cycled out of the door never to return.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  20. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Wondered if this is really a Halfords wide policy

    Maybe they keep bikes on display for display, and so don't want people getting them all dirty? "Oh, you want to buy this very bike? Tell you what, we'll order one from stock, and it'll be just like this one."

    I've test ridden a few bikes in my time (albeit not at Halfords). I once had to provide a deposit.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  21. amir
    Member

    Does Decathlon allow testrides outside? They seem to inside - a bit dangerous!

    Spa Cycles are excellent in this regard. They have test bikes available in several sizes and will let you go out for a reasonably long ride.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  22. Ed1
    Member

    If cycle shops offered a bike fit service would it matter if test rode outside. In Decathlon in the morning could cycle up to a normal speed to test but what is the bike shop etiquette to constantly ring bell when test cycling

    Posted 7 years ago #
  23. gembo
    Member

    Decathlon has a constant stream of kids on scooters whizzing around and around

    Posted 7 years ago #
  24. Morningsider
    Member

    Ah, the new shop is in "the shop unit of doom" - never seen anything there last more than a year or two. Not that I want to put them on a downer - best of luck and all that.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  25. SRD
    Moderator

    @morningsider -enlighten me?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  26. chdot
    Admin

    "enlighten me" I think he is referring to item before Halfords and the length of life of businesses in that particular shop.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  27. SRD
    Moderator

    Well, yes, but I clicked all the links and couldn't see where the new shop is opening. Doubtless i'm missing something obvious, but is there a reason for not specifying?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  28. Morningsider
    Member

    SRD - Happy to specify, it's the former Acuremedy/Potatolicious/Calzeat (that's only the last 5 years) shop towards the bottom of Morningside Road.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  29. gembo
    Member

    The blighted spot phenomenon is of some interest in a general way. The corner of Hamilton Place at the stock bridge has been a cafe Nero for a few years now but before that it was a sort howie's branch but as an upmarket canteen style which was always busy but blighted. Before that it was many things including a pakora bar. There is another pakora bar up next to Henderson's veg caff if you like pakora.

    In similar unverifiable voodoo phenomena the Welsh footballer Aaron Ramsey kills a celebrity every time he scores a goal for arsenal. At least with this one people accept that celebrities die when Aaron fails to score too.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  30. chdot
    Admin

    Posted 7 years ago #

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