CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 16years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
As discussed on another thread & twitter, south edinburgh really 'needs' a bike shop + cafe. preferably a relaxed sort of place. somewhere within easy walk of LBB, TBW & EBC. Pop-up anyone?
(Ben Miller was mentioning friends who have bought the New Leaf in Argyle place to run as a co-op. maybe there's traction there)
Maybe Laidback should install an Espresso machine!
Laid Back already positioned next to a friendly cafe.
Perhaps they should knock through?
"Perhaps they should knock through?"
Shame about the stair in-between...
This topic is currently getting more discussion on Twitter (you know who you are).
I've been to a few - think it all started with http://www.mud-dock.co.uk
Some are two fairly equal businesses others are bike (often mostly repair) businesses with a bit of catering others more or less cafes with a bicycle theme.
It's hard to say what (if anything) would work in Edinburgh.
Would you go to your favourite cafe more if it was a bike shop?
Would you go to your favourite bike shop more if it was a cafe?
"Would you go to your favourite bike shop more if it was a cafe?" Yup.
Cafe wanting cycling customers -
http://www.okcbicyclist.com/2012/07/12/cafe-evoke-showing-tour-de-france-daily
No, my favourite cafe is a cafe not a bike shop.
My favourite coffee stop is a canal boat (Zazou for those that don't know it already) and the owner has his bike parked outside or on the roof.
My favourite bike shop occaisionally makes me a cup of tea.
'Go more'? No.
'Enjoy more'? Yes.
I think I'd get into trouble if I spent any more time in my LBS. In fact I already AM in trouble for the amount of time I spend there..
Wasn't necessarily thinking that I ought to spend more time there, but that it might be nice to have a relaxed environment in which to browse.
Actually after that thread yesterday, I stopped off at a largish but local bike shop on the way home. I wanted to take back a lock I had bought which had stopped working, and also buy a small pump which would work on both valve types for taking on trips.
My experience was perhaps the worst I'd had for some time. I felt stupid the whole time.
Got there wet and dripping, which wasn't a good start. Showed bloke at counter my lock, and he opened it in 2 seconds flat. Claimed 'there is a special trick' and that there was nothing wrong with it.
We'd used it happily for several weeks until suddenly neither of us was able to open it again. Luckily it was not locked onto anything at the time. Doubtless I should just buy better quality stuff.
Then found the pump I wanted and had to wander around the store from till to till.
Why do I always feel short and insignificant in there? Like I need to make a quick decision and scurry out?
Why do I shop there rather than in shops where I feel welcomed and valued as a customer?
Why do I always feel short and insignificant in there?
Judging by description of till layout, I know the shop you mean and I come away from it with exactly the same feeling each time. It's nothing personal, it's just a rather confused layout and youngish staff could do with a bit more customer service training. I avoid the place unless I've tried elsewhere and they don't have what I need.
I don't like that shop either but it is okay for an occasional browse to see what they have. I have never been treated rudely or patronizingly by staff but a more obvious purchasing area would improve it no end.
Are we on the BBC, or am I allowed to say I think this is the Edinburgh Bike Co-Op?
Yep, tis nothing personal, I get made to feel short too (which is some feat - I find I almost start trying to show too much that I know what I'm talking about). The till layout is frankly bizarre - I tend to head round to the one at the clothes bit which has a very defined counter, and usually someone sitting behind it.
I'm sure there's a reason behind the haphazard till positions, but it's lost on me.
Funniest (ish, these things are all relative) moment was going in one day and buying something for the MTB, and some brake blocks for the commuter, and the chaps saying "You do realise these are for different types of bike?" and me being able to respond, "Yes, I know, I've got a few more than one..."
That shop is often too busy for quick service.
I hate to be treated patronizingly but then I am perhaps quilty of being a touch rude to shop staff that try to force their attentions on me (especially in shops like Comet/Currys/PC World). For me the ideal staff should keep quiet unless spoken (very victorian) but be immediately available when required.
Amir - NEVER go into the Body Shop in Princes Street. All of the staff follow you round the whole time. It is incredibly invasive and annoying. I have stopped going in. For some reason it is only there and not other branches.
So what we're looking for is a shop keeper to appear, as if by magic. :D
Was there ever a Mr Benn episode where he became a cyclist?
"I tend to head round to the one at the clothes bit which has a very defined counter, and usually someone sitting behind it."
Tried that one after trying the other two near the locks and pumps, only to be taken back to one in the middle of clothes, which I'd never noticed before.
Glad it's not just me :)
Was there ever a Mr Benn episode where he became a cyclist?
Surely he was a cyclist and just arrived at the shop by Brompton, why else would he be dressed in that fashion at the beginning.
There were surprisngly few Mr Benn episodes so unlikely we was a cyclist.
Can't say I've ever had till issues in the Bike Co-op, and I've always been treated fairly well; perhaps it helps to be a bit clueless.
"Funniest (ish, these things are all relative) moment"
Similarish experience when I bought an 18" innertube and it was pointed out to me, but I thought that was actually quite helpful of them.
@kaputnik "youngish staff could do with a bit more customer service training" - agreed - it can be variable, but I have usually had decent service there.
Took back a jacket 6 months ago, and the assistant manager was a bit mimpy about it - he disappeared, and the chap at the clothes counter did a swap immediately.
Wierd.
Must admit I really like EBC - they are a bit expensive sometimes but they have god sales on occasion and also generally actually have a wide range of stuff to try on. I've also taken many many things back (up to 5 months 26 days later!) with a complaint and had it replaced. I would say I've been treated better in there than in a few other shops where sometimes staff can be rather stand offish and rude.
Still I think that one bad experience is certainly one too many!
The tri-centre in Newington has a coffee stand in it now.... might be worth checking out. They also sponsor the cyclocross series so I'm planning on getting to know them a bit more! Get some tips.
@Min, the reason they follow you around in the Body Shop is because of the very high number of teenagers/schoolkids who shoplift on a regular basis. If you go when schools are not on a break or have not finished for the day they leave you alone, I find.
I just love patronising shop staff, best of all is telling them that they are being patronising and that you are not stupid, I find that works, and their attitude invariably changes. I also particularly like being able to tell them what component it is I want and totally befuddling them because they have very little idea of what I am talking about.
I remember on one occasion taking some boots back to a shop because the sole was coming adrift from the upper after a couple of weeks wear to be told by the member of staff that I had worn them outside...really, well I never so that's what you do with footwear and the purpose you buy it for. Well, yes...duh! Yes, and guess what they are boots and are purchased for wearing in particularly inclement weather, which might include rain...the temptation was really great to say no s**t Sherlock!
The nearest I've had to an unpleasant experience is in Freewheelin' when Nick told me to get out before I'd even said anything.
Is there actually a "bike" cafe in Edinburgh?
All brilliant in EBC recently. Council ties me to EBC for bike to work but all staff really elpful.
Stockbridge had Rapha/PY end of spectrum bike cafe
Nick pulls the get out routine regularly. I take it as a joke and would just laugh and continue into the shop
I did, but what I really wish I'd done was flee in such a hurry I could plausibly not have heard his retraction, and then ask another CCE bod to pick up my intendeds.
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