Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => General Chat => Topic started by: Scribble on September 20, 2011
-
I'm hopefully heading down to bikedock to get myself a bike and was reading the reviews on the net and they are shocking , has anyone had any dealings with this lot as it's the only place I can get cycle to work scheme through .
Cheers Andy
-
They're a big company, I see them advertised loads. What sort of stuff have you heard?
-
I got my bike from there. The staff a grand. I did come off my bike as soon as I bought it as the handle bars were not done up tight. As they knew they were in the wrong the gave me some free inner tubes. I would go back thou.
-
I dont think I'd have settled for some inner tubes when you could have been seriously hurt.
-
They're a big company, I see them advertised loads. What sort of stuff have you heard?
I read the google reviews and most seem very harsh but I was thinking they could be from an ex employee who is a bit pissed with them and most of the reviews mention another bike shop that I thought was a bit suspect , I will trust Lenny and go for it as I've no where else I can go
Cheers for replies
-
I had an awful experience in Bikedock last year, i had read the scathing reviews online and thought they can't be that bad, i would never go back.
I went in to get a chain spiltter for my mountain bike but instead they sold me a BMX tool which eventually wrecked the chain and broke the tool, i wheeled the bike over and they agreed to fix the bike in part exchange for the broken tool. They took my bike in the backroom for repair but quickly came back and told me the chain was broke and i didn't know how to use a chain splitter and i had to pay the full amount for the repair or they would keep my bike. This wasn't what was agreed and eventually the manager appeared, shouting and condescending and i was asked to leave the shop or they would phone the police!!
Eventually, through e-mails i was able to point out they had sold me the wrong tool for the job which was why it broke the tool and my chain. I only got the money back for the tool though and had to go to another bike shop to buy another chain. I was never offered an apology for their mistake. Overall my bike was in a worse condition than when i first took it into the shop. Best avoided.
-
I've bought a couple of bits and pieces from Bikedock in the past, but not a bike so can't really comment on their customer service.
Personally, I would highly recommend taking a visit to Real Cycles (http://www.realcycles.com/). Fantastic shop with excellent after sales service and extremely honest. They do provide bikes for cycle to work schemes so it might be worth giving them a call and seeing if they can help. If you speak to the owner Steve and say suspectmonkey sent you he will sort you out :)
-
Cheers speciamyak I take it you left a review on google as I remember the name
Suspect thanks for the offer but I'm having to use bikedock as it's the only place I can use through work but I will keep it in mind as Santa has to buy a new bike :D
-
That is ridiculously bad service. I'd have been raging!
I had an awful experience in Bikedock last year, i had read the scathing reviews online and thought they can't be that bad, i would never go back.
I went in to get a chain spiltter for my mountain bike but instead they sold me a BMX tool which eventually wrecked the chain and broke the tool, i wheeled the bike over and they agreed to fix the bike in part exchange for the broken tool. They took my bike in the backroom for repair but quickly came back and told me the chain was broke and i didn't know how to use a chain splitter and i had to pay the full amount for the repair or they would keep my bike. This wasn't what was agreed and eventually the manager appeared, shouting and condescending and i was asked to leave the shop or they would phone the police!!
Eventually, through e-mails i was able to point out they had sold me the wrong tool for the job which was why it broke the tool and my chain. I only got the money back for the tool though and had to go to another bike shop to buy another chain. I was never offered an apology for their mistake. Overall my bike was in a worse condition than when i first took it into the shop. Best avoided.
-
That is ridiculously bad service. I'd have been raging!
I was livid at the time because of the service and added a review to the many that were online, the managers reply failed to mention that i had sent them numerous emails, and phoned, many of them ignored and complaints don't seem to be taken seriously anyway. We live and learn.
-
I'm a little biased as I now work there, but Chain Reaction Cycles have opened a store on Boucher Rd. Not long open and still finding feet a bit in terms of linking systems with the main operation at Doagh, but should do bike to work and have workshop. Store is big! I've only be in 2 days as I went on hols as soon as it opened :D
Got my current bike in Bike Dock. It's a great bike but the service has never really been welcoming. No advice, no banter, no interest in my bike courier business. A little disappointing, but I do really like the Genesis bikes.
I also know some guys starting http://velocafemagasin.com/ (http://velocafemagasin.com/). Bit more casual and bike culture. They do repairs, custom builds, spare parts etc. Joe builds up cheap 2nd hand bikes to get people on the road all the way up to high end gucci stuff. Just sorted my rear bearings for me and lent me a spare wheel while he fixed it. The dream is to have a city-centre based bike culture mecca where you can watch the Tour, have a coffee, and have your brakes serviced etc. They're good lads.
-
but I do really like the Genesis bikes.
I believe Real Cycles are selling Genesis bikes now as well. Nice looking range! (http://www.realcycles.com/brands/genesis_2011.php) Not that I work for Real Cycles or anything, they've just been really helpful in the past and I think small, independent dealers should be celebrated in a world of supersized, customer-ignorant retail chains.
I've used CRC in the past and they are very good also, both through their website and their shop in Doagh. Haven't been in the new Boucher store yet, but hope to pop in and get a chat with you some day soon Craig :)
-
I'll be there Saturday's and most Thurs / Fri evenings :)
-
Seeing as you guys know what your talking about what mountain bike would your recommend for around the £500 to £600 , it's for commuting to work mostly road and a bit of a dirt track , was looking at the ridgeback as I've heard of them but there is also a make forme which I know nothing about . All suggestions and advice welcome , please as I ain't a clue really :-\
Andy
-
Seeing as you guys know what your talking about what mountain bike would your recommend for around the £500 to £600 , it's for commuting to work mostly road and a bit of a dirt track , was looking at the ridgeback as I've heard of them but there is also a make forme which I know nothing about . All suggestions and advice welcome , please as I ain't a clue really :-\
Andy
If I had £500-600 I'd be looking to get the best for my money and aiming for Shimano Deore components (front/rear dérailleur etc.) and RockShox front forks such as the RockShox Tora. Looking at the Bikedock range then something like the Saracen Zen 1 (http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=13337&category_id=89) would fit the bill and it has hydraulic disc brakes fitted as well. The Marin Northside Trail (http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=10208&category_id=89#fulldesc) also looks okay and Marin get a good name, although the components aren't as good as the Saracen and it has mechanical discs. The similarly priced Ridgeback MX6 doesn't look as well specced as either the Saracen either, although it does have hydraulics. I haven't heard of Forme before and I wouldn't be fussed on the Element as it has cheap and nasty RST forks and lower end Shimano components.
If you stretched the budget you could get a Genesis Core 10 (http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=11497&category_id=89) which has decent forks and hydraulic brakes, and if you could really stretch the budget to a Genesis Core 20 (http://www.bikedock.com/home?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-bd.tpl&product_id=11809&category_id=89) you would be doing very well.
Bikes are a bit like walking boots though - you really need to go and have a sit on them, pedal about outside the shop etc. as they all use different tube lengths and angles. Just because it looks great on paper and ticks all the right boxes component wise doesn't mean it will ride well. One other thing I'd stress is to avoid any full suspension bikes in the £500-600 price bracket. They will be rubbish and aren't going to be efficient at all for commuting with. Finally, I know you make a saving with Cycle to Work but bear in mind the Genesis Core 20 is £170 cheaper from Real Cycles, the Core 10 is £100 cheaper, the Ridgeback MX6 is £95 cheaper and the Saracen Zen 1 is £115 cheaper. At the very least I would be looking Bikedock to price match as most of those bikes are 2011 and the 2012 range are on the way if not already out. They should all be at reduced prices by now. Hope that helps a bit :)
-
Cheers Jon your an absolute star , I will be doing a bit more research tonight when I get home , as for asking for discount the wifey will be coming with me and she is a demon at haggling I sometimes go hide in the corner until I'm needed . The suspension I'm only looking a hardtail as I won't be doing anything to extreme bar the occasional wheelie when no One is looking .
Cheers again ;)
-
I would recommend Real cycles as i recently bought a saracen mantra trail, they gave good advice and friendly service
-
I'd listen to those guys Scribble - I know precious little about mountain bikes at present. We probably have some Vitus and Sunn bikes in that price range. Plenty of price reductions for end of range as the guys say: let your wife haggle away like she's in Marrakech :D
-
Just back from bikedock and the service was great , no pressure on buying any extras and left me on my own to beg with wifey what one she was going to pay for ;D they had no genesis core 10 so I had to go for the core 20 ::)and I was able to bring it home there and then after they gave it the once over ,
cheers for replies Andy
-
Health to enjoy! 8)
-
Health to enjoy! 8)
Your the second person to say that to me today , no idea why but I like :) cheers again
-
Should you have any need to go back to them talk to Julie one of the bikedock belles and a good friend...!! tho dont say i sent ya as she will likely have some wise crack.......lol :P
-
Just a little update, I just got my bike back after it's free 3 month service and its like new again. so glad I got my bike from Bikedock