I have a bike, i ride my bike a lot, but i know nothing about bikes…read more Keep Pedalling know A LOT about bikes....but they never make me feel like i can't ask ridiculously stupid questions and don't judge me when i suddenly realise my brakes are non existent - yet i've still ridden to the shop. This is why i love Keep Pedalling. They sell quality bikes and bike stuff, they give quality advise, they deliver quality bike services and all with a friendly, welcoming and non judgemental smiles. Which must be really difficult as i really am a fool at times. And how i know i love them. Well whenever i need anything for my bike i go straight there. I don't even look on the interweb to see if i can get it cheaper....because i don't care...i'd rather spend in that shop at whatever the price and help keep those lovely people in business than buy for cheaper online. Hmmmm maybe that's why subconsciously i haven't learned basic bike maintenance......its so i am forced to take my bike to keep pedalling! Maybe i'm just a kind and generous person and not a incompetent fool after all! Keep up the amazing work keep pedalling!!

For someone like myself who has spent a wee bit too much time reading the internet about more…read morearcane types of bikes, Keep Pedalling is an Aladdin's cave! The amount of unique bike and accessories they manage to pack into their modest-sized shop really does put other Manchester bike shops to shame, including the big players. Given space constraints, a bit of selectivity is inevitable. However, at the budget end, if you are looking for a basic ordinary or retro bike from £300, they have some of those. Or a fast commuter bike at £500, again there are some good choices. But it is with high end touring bikes and custom builds that things start to get interesting. A look at the photo album on their website gives some clues - the road sign reads "Rekjavik - 349"; Alaska and a fully-laden tour of the Himalaya are also mentioned. Keep Pedalling claim that such exploits have made them experts in Surly steel bikes, especially custom builds - so prices are given for frame & forks as well as the complete Surly bikes on display. Not cheap, but if you want an industrial-strength steel or aluminium rack and Ortlieb panniers to go with your Surly, they have a wide selection of those on display. Fat bikes is another area they specialise in. Or if you want a bike built around Rohloff hub gears, Keep Pedalling have experience of that sort of custom build. For myself, I was as I usually am in bike shops, looking round the stock, asking questions, a bit of a time-waster! But not quite this time, as did end up buying a Japanese-made Crane bike bell - and even with this little thing, I'm impressed with the engineering. The other clincher in Keep Pedalling's favour could be after-sales service. I've never bought a bike from here, so I can't say for sure. But the downstairs workshop is as big again as the display area, and it is difficult to imagine anything other than a conscientious and personalised service. Thank goodness for Manchester's Northern Quarter! Keep Pedalling, plus neighbours such as Fred Aldous, Soup Kitchen, the tiki bars and so on Keep Manchester Interesting - which can only be a good thing!

RevolveMCR is a bicycle repair shop on wheels. Dave will come to you to repair your bicycle pretty…read moremuch anywhere in the M60 and even as far as Altrincham and Hale in South Manchester. I've used RevolveMCR regularly now for my bike servicing and repairs as he will make his way to your home or work or anywhere in between that works for you. Dave's only request is somewhere undercover on those wet days which I think we can all appreciate. You don't need to supply any repair equipment as he and his team will bring this with them. They do quality work and at extremely decent prices considering the convenience your are purchasing. RevolveMCR has a semi regular pop-up at the university corridor (UMBUG) cycling events and even does free bike assessments and repair recommendations at these events in the lead up to Winter. RevolveMCR is a god send for all bicycle commuters in Manchester and should be on your speed dial after your significant partner and parents.

Ridelow is the perfect place to get a really good range of kitsch, weird and wonderful bikes that…read morefrankly you won't find anywhere else in Manchester. It's awesome inside, with bikes and all kinds of things hanging off the ceiling, and a sofa to have a sit down on if you want. But it also has a line in doing loads of other stuff. Be that watches, gothic jewellery, skater t-shirts, rucksacks and even a desk offering canvas printing services! The limited clothing stock out on view is apparently for display purposes - they have more sizes and if you ask they'll go find the one you need in the storeroom. The staff in here are dead friendly and willing to give you a hand or even just have a chat. I always like it when a shop has that kind of vibe.

Ridelow, as the name suggests, is for the cool kids. If you know your bikes then you'll know that…read morethis store doesn't just stock any old brand. This store stocks the crème de la crème of lowriders, cruisers, bmx's and choppers. Since this is the store where the likes of Kate Moss and the Beckhams come to get their rides, you can imagine that it isn't all that cheap. In fact, you're looking at around £500 for an Amsterdam or from £200 for a chopper, but you won't find anything else like them on the street. You won't want to leave them unattended on the street either, even if you have 3 locks, and for a city dweller like me that poses a huge problem. I guess the people who can afford these bikes also have a private place to store them?

If your a bike freak evans is where you spiritually belong. Big into road bikes I can waste up to…read morehalf an hour just gawping at expensive machines in pristine condition, screaming for someone to use them. Inside they have every variety of two wheeled transport from 3,000 grand triathlon bad boys to funky fixed wheels, evans stocks a lot. If they don't have what you want in there either the guys can order it in and sort it out for you usually within the week. Everything even slightly bike related is covered as well including books, DVDs, locks, panniers, parts, pumps, racks, puncture repair kits, multi tools, helmets, on and on it goes.

Evans is big chain of cycle stores, and this is a fair-sized bike shop - about the same size as…read moreHarry Hall although not as big as Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. They stock every type of bike and accessory. In their catalogue, Evans claim to be exclusive stockists for some niche, high-end cycle manufacturers. Plus, they have their own Pinnacle brand bikes which I suggest checking those out, especially if you are on any sort of a budget - compare with the relevant Edinburgh Bicycle 'Revolution' brand model. I personally believe no time spent in a cycle shop is ever wasted, and Evans Cycles is worthy of your time, as is their catalogue. These days, bike kit runs to include such exotics as iPhone bike mounts (to use your phone as a satnav), sat navs, and I've just noticed a little video camera which you can mount to your bars or helmet - this is the Veho Muvi, currently on sale at £69.99. Last month, I bought some fantastic Ergon grips which, at £40 cost more than the bike I had them fitted to is worth! Sounds crazy, but the difference in comfort and handling is out of this world. They are a bit tricky to fit, especially due the need to loosen/refit the brake and gear shifters, and I was glad to have Evans' staff expertly fit them for me while I waited. I've always found the staff here helpful and together...bike enthusiasts! All else being equal, I would still tend to shop at Edinburgh Bicycle as they are huge and also a co-op, or at a smaller independent bike shop. But there is nothing at all wrong with Evans and their staff, and a lot in their favour, such as the clear list of repair and fitting charges writ large on the wall behind the checkout. BTW, I've just noticed another branch of Evans Cycles at Chill Factor, in case that is handier for you.

I've been here a few times now. It was especially useful where I used to live as I'd pass it on…read moremy bike enroute from my daily commute. Soon as you step in you are warmly greeted with a cosy patch of living room to your right filled with arm chairs, books and board games to chill or pass the time while your bike gets attended to. The coffee has always been spot on too with very fair prices attached. As for the bike repairs/assessments themselves they are very knowledgeable and transparent with pricing etc. It is quite busy at the moment with depending on your bike can take a while to get looked at but besides this all the staff are lovely . Highly recommend if you need a bike repair or just a coffee..just ring in advance if you do require your bike to be looked at just in case they are fully booked!

I've used the services from these awesome bunch of bike lovers several times and I cannot rate it…read moreenough. Nothing is too much trouble, they're fantastically knowledgeable and always aim to get the repairs done on the same day. Absolute first class service and my go to in Manchester.

My husband purchased a e bike in 2019, this bike has never worked properly and each time he has…read moretook it to the store, he was fobbed off. Finally it has completely conked out and had to take it to the Trafford centre branch, they have had the bike for over a month now and I still have not got it sorted, The lack of communication is the most frustrating, every time I have phoned they have told me something different, I have tried to phone again this morning and up to now have tried 6 different occasions to get through and each time to be cut off. The lack of customer service is dreadful , I always thought that going to a company that had a good name would always be the way forward. I would NEVER purchase anything from them again

Visited for a cycle computer that will tell me how far i have travelled on my bike when attached to…read moremy turbo trainer. Had to wait 45 minutes to be served because they did not have enough staff working. Then they advised me which to buy and when i got it home it would not work with the turbo trainer as the sensor had to go on the front wheel. Not sure whether i was unlucky with the person who served me... or if they employ people who dont really cycle! Disappointed

I found some boxer briefs on their website that are hard to find in the US. The price was OK and…read moreshipping not ridiculous. So I bought them. Yesterday I got an email from some intermediate outfit wanted me to pay tariff and VAT tax and "facilitation fee" almost as much as the items I purchased. No mention of this on their website at all. I have to decide whether to throw good money after bad. To me, withholding that kind of info is the same as fraud.

I like Sports Direct's Manchester Arndale location, it might not be the prettiest or most modern of…read moreshops inside the shopping centre, but it has a nice selection overall and is much less cluttered than other Sports Direct locations, such as the nearby location on Market Street, elsewhere in the city centre. It is in a good location within the shopping centre, it is basically opposite the escalators and car-park lifts on the lower mall. Most of the staff seem friendly, especially Ste, who is one of the security guards and a fantastic guy. I do prefer the selection of trainers at JD nearby, but the sportswear selection is at least on-par. 4*