Evans above, another cycle store

[grace3]

If that store turns over 1.3m from now till it closes in 2016 (April) then I will eat your lycra shorts.

[mlteenie]

The observant cyclist will have noted that in the last 10-15 years Evans have adopted an aggressive policy of setting up near existing independents and trying (and often succeeding) to put them out of business... e.g. Ludgate Circus, Drury Lane, Gray's Inn Rd (didn't work on Condor), etc, etc.

Their shops are selling machines, about as fun as car showrooms. Shop there and you won't have independent shops for long. Well-run independent stores may not be cheaper but you are more likely to build a relationship with their employees and benefit from that service at 5 to 6 when you turn up desperately needing help...

[taper]

I buy my tyres from Evans. That's about it. Hadn't heard that before Mlteenie, but wouldn't surprise me at all. The one next to Condor lasted just over a year from memory, so hopefully Balfe's and yer man in Bellenden can see them off

[Mick Mac]

Suzib Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Such a shame East Dulwich is starting to become

> full of chain stores.

Well bikes need chains after all.

[duncang]

I'll be sticking with Balfe's because of the excellent, professional & friendly service, can't recommend them enough

[JohnL]

We have a load of car garages and as cycling gets more and more popular it might surpass cars :)

There's room for Kwik Fit and Turners

[Vick]

I can't help wondering how long this branch will last. It's massive and in a random location

[cactus]

Live opposite Balfes, but they let us down a while ago when we booked to drop off one of our bikes for a service before work. Partner turned up at 8am with the bike, guy in shop didn't open up and ignored partner and another guy waiting outside for at least 10-15 mins. Gave up, took the bike home and went elsewhere. Happy to have Evans on the doorstep now.

[Ukjoncollins]

As a supporter of good, local businesses I welcome the Evans store. I went in to Balfes to get my gears indexed, had to wait 4 days, they charged me over ?60, didn't address the fact that the cable hadn't been installed properly and the gears went back out of line. Turns out it's incredibly easy to do yourself. Took me a quick Google and 2mins time to sort myself. Fuming at being ripped off by them. Evans staff have been nothing but friendly, helpful, reasonably priced and quick.

[MissMadMoo]

I have to say, i do find Balfie rates for repair extremely expensive.

+1 for doing it yourself! most bike maintenance is pretty straight forward.

[Balfe's Bikes]

Hi all,

Cactus, that sounds terrible I'm sorry we let you down like that. I'm not sure what happened but it shouldn't have. Let me know how I can make it up to you please?

Jon, I've just pm'd you, sorry for your service I hope we can work that out.

MissMadMoo, we are always happy to show people how to do their own jobs. I have to say that our labour rates compared with other shops are actually pretty reasonable. We keep an eye on local charges and never intend to charge too much. If you compare us to the chains we are hands down cheaper. Our parts are charged at rrp and we do not mark up.

I can promise you that our services are some of the most reasonably priced around, just have a look at what we include: (http://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/pages/service_general.html)

I'd like to say that all my staff and myself work really hard to provide a good service, I employ people who know and love bikes and we take feedback like this really seriously. But at the heart our business is a great workshop and the will to always do a job we can be proud of. Sorry to those of you that we have let down.

Richard Balfe.

[Ukjoncollins]

Thanks Richard, I appreciate the message and offer.

[DaveR]

I've always found Balfe's v reliable and competitive on price (which is not the same as cheap btw). I've used various Evans branches over the years and the quality has been generally good, but definitely not cheap. Competition is generally good for the consumer, but I do wonder whether Evans are going to cover their overheads in that shop.

[HelBel65]

I went into Balfe's recently for a new inner tube. Thoroughly nice guy showed me the best way to put it back inside the tyre which will save me time and money in future. Advice was free, inner tube a good price.

[Beulah]

+1 for Balfes

we went in on the off-chance to look at folding bikes and the staff were v helpful friendly and let us try some out.

I have also used Evans' price match system many times in the past - what's particularly good is that you can return online ordered stuff to any Evans store - others like CycleSurgery ask you to return by post.

[JohnL]

Probably a bit of money in the employer cycle buy schemes (cyclescheme.co.uk).

Balfes were listed when I got mine and checking the map Evans are too - and Rat Race Cycles in Nunhead.