I needed some gear for a camping holiday, the prices were way better than for standard camping gear…read moreand the quality looked very impressive. I for one will be back!

The lettering on the windows of New Cross Army Surplus suggest the shop stocks clothing and…read moreequipment for Camping, Hiking and Survival. I bet you a tenner however, that their most regular customers are more likely to be students looking for bargain priced army jackets than adventurers planning trips into the wilderness. For those that like to spend their weekends alone in the middle of nowhere however, the shop sells everything from rucksacks, sleeping bags and cooking stoves to balaclavas, camaflouge trousers and army helmets. In true Deliverance style, they also sell torches, rope and pen knives.

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.