This review is based on a purchase through the ride to work scheme, and Evan is the Chain my company chose to be with, but if you could chose any place yourself I'd have still come here due to the location, parking, and sheer choice on offer. They have bikes from very modestly priced / cheap right the way up to £7K bikes you could give Wiggo a run for his money with (if you had the fitness of course).
Sorting out the ride to work scheme was very simple and quick, just fill out the form on their web page and the rest is done by your company. Few days later you get an email saying go and get your bike!
While I waited for my certificate I made enquiries and researched and visited for advice. When I'd chosen a few options I called them and the person I dealt with on the phone, Scott, was super helpful about the choices I called to discuss. He put my order on the system in advance and even had a bike built just for me to test ride to help me decide which I wanted between a road or a hybrid bike. So Scott's service was excellent.
Upon gong to the store to test ride Scott was on a day off unfortunately. The girl who served me was pleasant and polite but gave a distinct impression she didn't know too much about bikes and was mainly there for service, I appreciate you can't have everyone as an expert. I selected several extras including shoes, bottle cage and bottle, socks and a pump and then some pedals. Unfortunately I was mis advised on the pedals by another member of staff when I was told I could reduce the height of the pins in specialised bennies pedals. This wasn't true. You can raise or remove them but not lower them than the already high height the pins are set.
Before you think noob, yes I know they're mtb pedals but I went for a hybrid bike (Sirius carbon disc) and wanted some large flat grippy pedals, however after one ride these nearly destroyed the bottom of the shoes I bought. I did mention this to them on a return visit and they were happy to exchange them so again, good service there however I decided to keep the pedals and remove all but the 3 pins at the front on each side to stop forward slippage and this works great for me.
On this same visit after collecting my bike and riding it for a bit, I quickly found I needed some padded pants for my overly fat backside. This was a daunting prospect as I'm a heavy guy (100kg as opposed to average cyclist 75kg), which is always a bit embarrassing in a shop of stick thin cyclists. The gentleman who served me was super helpful and put me at ease rather quickly, he gave me several bib shorts to try and then a few normal shorts etc. I was expecting the response of "they don't really go up to your size" so was nice to see they stock for those who aren't already athletic and are starting cycling to help get fitter. I was all set to have to use the website fat lad at the back, so it was good to see a store catering for wider shapes which the high street certainly doesn't.
All in all I like this store - it's a great location, free parking, bike choice is vast, prices are good and staff are friendly and helpful. I can't really give 5 stars as they didn't do anything exceptional or above and beyond, but gave an overall solid experience which would make me return and recommend the branch to others.
(I did also visit the store at the national cycle centre before I started the ride to work scheme route, and again, the sales guy was really helpful in assisting me to determine what size bike I needed so a pleasant experience here also. The chill factor store is larger so there is more choice there but the service was on par at each branch). read more
