Their green signposts-bikes strapped to the lamposts on Curry Mile alerted me to the existence of…read moreThe Bicycle Doctor, which is located on one of the larger side roads off Wilmslow Road. While Neil M. makes an obvious and valid point about the larger stock of Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op, I don't feel that is necessarily a deal-breaker against buying a bike from The Bicycle Doctor which is still quite sizeable. Plus, I get the feeling that the stock offered by The Bicycle Doctor is quite savvy in its own way, with some unique products which may be hard to find elsewhere in Manchester. For example, an electric bike by Trek at £1,700 and a rainbow of cute pastel-coloured Brompton folding bikes both suggest that people are spending serious money here - in fact I don't think EBC stock electric bikes at all. I parted with cash for an interestingly versatile 100% merino wool 'buff', which can be to protect and the cold and UV also, plus a neat pair of cycling sunglasses which several people have asked me where I bought them from. I am in the market for cycle panniers, and I will definitely consider buying them from the good Bicycle Doctor, especially since they stock the high-end Ortlieb roll-top waterproof designs and even had four or so different colours in stock. On the repairs front, their website states that all their mechanics are Cytech-certified which sounds good enough to me! Lastly, The Bicycle Doctor allocates a significant corner of their precious floorspace to a rack of cycling leaflets detailing local routes, mass rides, and cycle-friendly tourism further afield - an authentic touch which typifies this Workers' Co-op which has been 'Serving the Cycling Community for over 25 years'. Thanks, Doc - you left me feeling good, and good to go!

It's worth going out of your way to go to a good bike shop, bf says, and he's had two bikes from…read morehere and many services and upgrades/alterations (180,000 mi on one of the bikes) and highly recommends. It's a coop where the staff are passionate, knowledgeable and cater to all customer types. In stock are great brands such as Surly and Brompton. They won't try to force you to buy something off the shelf, they will help you customise it and go the extra mile e.g. offering to loan us a bike so bf could accompany me home and giving us flapjacks! Purchase also comes with 3 free services after which bike is a good as new.

Hmmm not sure where to start with this one but i will try and be positive if possible…read more First and foremost the cost of Steve Baggot's repairs are fair but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired, i have sent people his way but most of them have come back and said how bad his attitude is. When i asked them to elaborate they said he is more interested in gossiping outside rather than showing any interest in his customers. As i alluded to earlier he does offer a fair price but theres not much to compare him too and when i sent my nephews bike in he actually took nearly a week to replace 2 wheels, not sure if him locking up earlier than he advertises has anything to do with it. He does do sales but basically he will just show you a catalogue and he orders it in. I have to say that his prices are reasonable on sales also, i paid £200 for 3 kids bikes which is not bad. All in all not a bad place but think it could be better, in particular the service. A bit of competition is what is needed i think.

stay well away from this shop i bought a bike online waited a for far too long only to be told bike…read moreparts are from russia ?! hmm not what every other bike shop has said about the same bike customer service is absolutely shocking they dont care and are just rude so do not buy from them what an awful company take your money elsewhere and be stress free

I ordered my Pashley Britianna bike from the Bike Factory as the pricing for it was excellent in…read morecomparison to other companies. Apart from it being falsely advertised as when I odered it, it was out of stock but the website not up to date. They repsonded quickly to let me know and were quick to correct it and get the process moving. It came next day delivery and I am over the moon with it. The Bike Factory team have been extremely helpful and quick to respond to any queries I've had. Thank you very much guys!! Will come to you in the future if need be.

I have it from Jack Parker himself that his shop sells many more bicycles than would be expected…read morefor a cycle shop of this size. Which is no surprise me, as Jack Parker Cycles of Burscough is a bit of a legend locally, and certainly the first name on the lips of many casual cyclists for miles around. And I've also encountered 'serious' road cyclists in the store every time I've been there. I've had a couple of bikes serviced here, and the price seemed reasonable enough. Jack himself is a very warm and friendly personality and the other staff I've dealt with have all been communicative, businesslike and skilled mechanics. As with most local cycle shops, Jack Parker cram a huge amount of stock into a small space and there are more bikes on display on the first floor. Recently, I was in the market for a new bike and visited several bike shop, including Jack Parker. It was a mountain bike with less nubby tires I was after, and the range of Claude Butler bikes that Jack Parker had on offer were not on display elsewhere. These Claude Butler bikes were all competitively priced, and somehow represented a pragmatic choice. For example, puncture proof tyres came fitted as standard whereas these needed to be bought separately for most bikes on sale at other shops. I notice Jack Parker are now offering cycle hire, at least to get you to Martin Mere WWT, and I think that would make a great day out from Manchester or wherever - catch a train to Burscough or Burscough Bridge Train Station both of which are close to the cycle shop. Lastly, yes, of course you can find some great deals online for cycles and accessories. But if you don't know what you're doing, you can just as easily waste money or end up with a bike which doesn't match your needs as well as it might. If you're local, and you only plan to visit one bike shop, you won't go wrong with Jack Parker for practical buying advice, after-sales service and the inevitable repairs in the years ahead.

Just what we needed in an emergency - good advice about repairing a much loved but rather worn out…read moreold bike, kept on a boat, and a very prompt and thorough repair on the same day to get us back on our way, and sticking to a price estimate despite having to do rather more than expected. What more can you ask for? Thanks.

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

Your question might be: why go to a local (Home Grown) bicycle shop? Let me share my experience as…read morean example to the why. I am just a guy from out of the country USA (Lilburn, Georgia). I came here to Chorlton to visit my girlfriend. I went over to Ken Fosters and inquired about a bike that I could ride while here. They loaned me a Raleigh SP Race while I was here. The guys at this shop go out of there way to give the best service possible. Sean the manager (made a phone call to help me get into a race last minute), Keith Bailey (took me out on rides), Ashley the mechanic helped me with getting my fit correct. Ben helping with whatever else I needed. And Lou who let my girlfriend borrow his bike so we could make the trek over to the race at Tameside. This shop isn't about the "numbers" they are about the experience you get, the love for cycling and the willingnes to share that with others. Please spend your money with local ownerships. Go to Ken Fosters Cycle Logic Kirk Corsello Lilburn, GA USA

When you get past the terrible pun, this is a fantastic bike shop with a range of bikes and…read moreaccessories for both road bikers and mountain bikers (and hybrid bikers like myself!) I didn't buy my bike from here, but shortly after buying my bike, I realised that I was missing an essential for any bike owner in Manchester - a decent lock. I knew that I needed a D lock and I wanted something pretty good, as I knew so many people who had had their locks cut within seconds. The guy who served me was incredibly helpful. He talked me through all of the locks that were available and advised me about the pros and cons of each one. He wasn't at all patronising or pushy. If I were to need any further bike accessories I would not hesitate to go back to this shop. It seems like a great team of guys who work there, and they also do custom builds, maintenance and repairs.

Purchased my bike from Wyre Cycles and am extremely happy with both the service I received and the…read morebike. I did not even know the shop existed until a friend told me. It is located at the back of Brimlow's Garage in Poulton. Really worth seeking out and paying a visit. Also joined the cycling club whilst I was there and received a free bike service :) would recommend the shop to anyone.

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?

Although I am just beginning my forays into this part of Greater Manchester, there seems to be a…read morecluster of more upmarket independent businesses in Whitefield, which is definitely not what nearby Cheetham Hill or probably even Bury are about. Cookson Cycles is a well-stocked cycle shop of a decent size, and quite busy even on a rainy weekday afternoon. On my one visit, I bought some fingerless cycle gloves for summer wear, and they had several options at different prices. The lady sales assistant also talked me through the GoPro action video camera range for which Cookson are stockists. I don't know what else to say other than there is a friendly, unpressurised feel about the place which is characteristic of out-of-town family businesses. But the stock is up to scratch and the lady I spoke to seemed to have both adequate technical knowledge and also first hand experience out on the bike. If this is your local bike shop, I think you are in safe hands.