How much Choice at your LBS?

[xybadog]

How many bike brands are available for you to choose from at your LBS's?

My choice is pretty poor. I was very interested in a Merida Matts when buying my recent bike. The Merida site listed one of my LBS as a stockist. I went to visit and all they had were Bianchi (not very tried and tested off-road yet), and Scott (don't like the paintjobs). I asked about the Merida and was told they could order in for me but only if I definitely wanted one??? Couldn't even try or see before buying. Walked past there window tonight and they got one in the window now. Ah well, their loss.

I went to my other LBS (only two in the town) and quite liked one of the Cannondale HT's but was advised against it. Also liked one of the Trek HT's and ws advised the Giant was better, but only slightly, was cheaper by about £20 and Giant make the Trek frames anyway so "might as well go for the Giant" So I took their advice, rightly or wrongly, I'm yet to find out.

Anyway, not much choice in my local area, 2 dealers and 6 brands to choose from (Trek, Scott, Cannondale, Giant, Bianchi and MAYBE Merida).

What about your area?

[sikora]

As far as i know, Bikes Direct Holywell only sell GT bikes that are of commom, high quality bikes.
They do (or did, as my friend got one once) sell Ammaco bikes.

There is however a rather nice Magura bike in the window, as they're a Magura dealer.

[martinw]

Revolution in Bangor are Merida dealers with a good selection.

There are a few more shops with more on offer down this end with Specialised, Marin in West end cycles. Trek, GT, Scott and Marin in Ultimate outdoors in Betws and Merida, Kona and Commencal at Revolution in Bangor.

I was lucky when I got my Scott from a shop in North Yorkshire, they let me take it out on the hills for a spin. I struggled a bit on buying my Full Sus, Couldn't find anywhere to test ride, I could have test ridden one up in Betws Y Coed but they wanted about £50 i think to ride it for the day. You got your money back if you bought it, but I wasn't forking out that much If I wasn't likely to buy it.

I have stopped listening to the advice of some bike shops now, they all put down other manufacturers apart from their own. If I was now in the market for a new bike I would do a lot of in-depth homework on the net at bikes in my price range and whittle it down to the one I liked.

[xybadog]

I forgot, I've got a Halfords here... but they don't count

[taliesyn]

Jul 5, 2008 11:01:02 GMT @martinw said:

Revolution in Bangor are Merida dealers with a good selection.

There are a few more shops with more on offer down this end with Specialised, Marin in West end cycles. Trek, GT, Scott and Marin in Ultimate outdoors in Betws and Merida, Kona and Commencal at Revolution in Bangor.

I was lucky when I got my Scott from a shop in North Yorkshire, they let me take it out on the hills for a spin. I struggled a bit on buying my Full Sus, Couldn't find anywhere to test ride, I could have test ridden one up in Betws Y Coed but they wanted about £50 i think to ride it for the day. You got your money back if you bought it, but I wasn't forking out that much If I wasn't likely to buy it.

I have stopped listening to the advice of some bike shops now, they all put down other manufacturers apart from their own. If I was now in the market for a new bike I would do a lot of in-depth homework on the net at bikes in my price range and whittle it down to the one I liked.

Revolution are Merida, Felt, Kona and Commencal stockists