Long story short: Cheaper bikes (on some models) but shocking after sales service, also they're far too expensive for repairs. If you find yourself in the area in need of a repair go around the corner to Cycle Republic and get it done cheaper and much quicker. I'm a big fan of paying extra when you have quality customer support and after sales service but I don't think you should pay more and get less. [I don't work for Halfords]
I've purchased 2 bikes from this Cycle Surgery within the past 6 months and also have had bike repairs done in this store too so I know the shop quite well. The individuals working in the here are quite friendly but far too relaxed and just don't really seem to give a shit. I have had numerous occasions where I have been left wandering around the basement by myself while two staff members are upstairs chatting. Also, they never take responsibility for anything, if anything goes wrong it's either another shops fault, their systems, or someone else.
When my original bike was stolen I tried to order the same bike again (3 weeks later from the same shop), simple enough task but Cycle Surgery failed miserably with it. They lost the replacement bike I ordered, not once but twice, due to 'errors in their systems' and problems with their 'Shepard's Bush branch', by the time the 2nd error was realised the bike I was looking for was sold out everywhere and I was unable to get it. Annoying but these thigs happen, however the most annoying thing about this situation is that I never once received an apology for this or any compensation and instead was told by the staff that 'there's nothing they can do' and 'it's not our fault it's the system'. Your system your fault.
I then had a tire on my bike replaced there 6 weeks ago which exploded today while I was cycling it. The tire cost me almost £50 to have put on and I was told I by their staff that I was buying a top of the line one that it "would last". When I brought it back in today I would have expected it to be covered by warranty, as in my view, a 'quality' tire should last longer than 6 weeks, but it wasn't. I understand punctures happen but a blowout is a problem with the tire. I was promised that a manager would call me later in the morning about it, but this never happened. I had to call them back. Top notch customer support strikes again. I didn't even get to speak to a manager just one of the floor staff who told me that the tire was 'probably' damaged when it was last removed and would not be covered, which it bullshit as it was removed using a plastic bespoke tool, purchased from Halfords, and if that tool damaged the tire then it's clearly not worth shite.
Long story short I was expected to pay another £50 to have the tire replaced....again. Brought it around the corner to Halfords and they did it for £35 in 5 mins while I waited. read more