Totally, totally impressed by this place! This is a bike shop which is local (to me) as can be,…read moreheaded up by Matt Middleton who is second generation in the cycle industry. The whole Bicycle Lounge operation seems progressive and moving with the times with modern branding and website. Email communication with the shop is good, with a reply to queries always coming within 24 hours and often a lot sooner. Email notification on completion of service or repair. Location is really handy, directly opposite the bus station, with the rail station nearby. Downstairs is a decent-sized shop floor without the claustrophobic feel of some local bike shops, with the top priced road bikes and bike fitting upstairs. Their £30 annual service felt like really good value. Front brake pads had been replaced at no extra charge. The brakes, gears and everything are much more responsive and the ride is smoother. I was given a checklist which the mechanic had ticked listing the checks and adjustments that had been carried out. More recently, I had some upgrades done to the drivetrain. Although the half of the job that got carried out was technically OK, I felt more explanation should have been provided of why the repair job had gone the way it had, rather than the onus being on me to spot what had and had not been done and ask questions. Although there is some quite high end kit on sale here, it is balanced by a good amount of kit of the type and at the price point for my needs - I feel their purchasing is pretty good in terms of things that are good quality and good bang for your buck! What I've bought from here - Cateye lights set a while back, identical BBB saddles (£25) for both my bikes, BBB glasses - I've been happy with.

Went here to puck up a new bike tyre and inner tube. Staff…read morewere friendly and helpful. They had a great range of products and made some good recommendations for me. A lot of their bikes and products seem like expensive, premium products as you do see in a lot of bicycle shops, but they do cater to the lower end of the market too. I'd happily shop here again as I know I can just walk in, get helpful advice and walk out with a product that will fit my bike and be right for me. I normally shop on the internet, but there's always a risk of buying the wrong size or unsuitable part. That's where shops like this have value. Great shop!

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.

I'm weird. I travel internationally with a bike: a little Brampton folder. I came to Manchester,…read morewent for a ride and my poor bike was mis-shifting and throwing the chain like mad. Sad me did a web search and found this place right next to my hotel (well around the back). They serviced it quickly and cheaply. Yay! The tune up wasn't perfect, I still had to make some adjustments later but I'm still happy they were there to save my day.

I went in today four people behind the counter one working on someone bike other three watching…read moresomething on the computer me waiting for help, wanting to buy a folding electric bike 15 mins later gave maybe because I'm fat they didn't want to know still looking to buy a bike what a wasted day I will go to Evans later in the week

My friend was struggling to put her wheel back on after taking it off to transport it to my house…read more We went down to Bill Nickson having been there before and found them extremely helpful . No hesitation to help on this occasion either and sorted us out with the spacer ( that should have been supplied when she bought the bike ) not purchased from them may add and she was back up and ready to ride . Fast , friendly and no charge. So thanks again to staff in there. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Thank you

Just bought a second hand bike off Facebook. They were more than happy to help. The bike was…read moreoriginally bought from their shop. I told them that I was new to cycling and they helped with everything. Didn't over sell me on anything and when I didn't understand how to switch my hub, they just told me to come back and do it for me. I didn't spend a lot but I'll definitely not go anywhere else. Find somewhere good that's local. Never go anywhere else!! Brilliant staff and service.

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!

Sitting in one of the railway arches on Whitworth Street, Harry Hall's Cycles is a cycle shop for…read moreserious cyclists. It's well set out and sells mountain and road bikes as well as loads of accessories. I'm a bit of a cycling novice, but I recently acquired quite a good road bike and my old pump didn't seem to fit the valves on the new bike's tyres. I popped into the shop and feeling like a complete idiot, explained that I had no idea how to pump up the tyres on my new bike. The chap serving me was really polite despite my clear cycling ignorance, and explained the technicalities of the valves and what pump I needed to buy. He presented me with a few options of what I should get and I've now got something perfect for the job that's also really light and fits snugly on my bike. The pump was quite expensive, and this typifies the cost of most of the cycling gear in the shop, which includes a good range of pumps, tyres, helmets and accessories as well as lots of different cycle clothing. However, it's all quality stuff and the staff know exactly what they're talking about. Though you would probably find cheaper gear at somewhere like Halfords, its worth going to Harry Hall's to know that you'll walk away with some kit that will be right for you, work properly and last a long time.

The railway arches of Whitworth Street West serve as a magnet for cool stuff, housing Green Room…read morealt: performance space, an achingly cool interior design showroom, Cocotoo Italian restaurant (?) and the cool effect spreads across the road to froyo café Frurt and round the corner to The Engine Room Café in Cambridge Street and even the front of restaurants in Chester Street. Plus, access the canal via any of a number of entry points on the same side as Frurt to view a timeline of the late Haçienda Club. (The canal path is a fantastic traffic-free route to Castlefield, Piccadilly and Stockport). Harry Hall Cycles is a good general purpose cycle shop, but I also commend them for showcasing some niche bikes. The current window display is mainly given over to the current trend for stripped down fixed gear or single speed bikes - fewer moving parts means less to go wrong and also lighter. I was also amused to read a poster publicising a Brompton bike race to be staged by that leading manufacturer of folding bikes - I've not seen that poster elsewhere in Manchester, so well done HH for showcasing that. (One cool thing about Brompton bikes for a cycle shop is how small they fold up, allowing many more Bromptons to be stored per sq. metre than regular bikes!) Downstairs is also home to road bikes, cyclo-cross bikes and the usual bike accessories. Upstairs features mountain bikes, style/girly bikes and some retro stuff including a modern take on a butchers bike. I think you have to pay them a visit and test ride a bike or two to decide if Harry Hall is the bike shop for you, but I enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff who are generally happy to talk. I'll end by sharing a tip given to me by one of the guys here, which is to dismount and push your bike up over kerbs and such - apparently mounting kerbs wrecks the wheel bearings, and was something he would never do with any of his bikes. He had me at 'bikes' :-) I find something precious about city centre cycle shops - they are there in the midst of the polluting traffic offering a highly-effective, low-tech transport solution. The young and able-bodied car drivers amongst us, let's get on our bikes! And if you are an apartment dweller unsure how you would store your bike, all the more reason to get along to Harry Hall as they have a variety of storage solutions from wall hooks to floor-to-ceiling bike stands to store your speed machine up out of the way.

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.

Avoid this place! Been a customer for years and my dad for many decades, and spent a lot there…read more They're usually more expensive than anywhere else and charge for even the most minor of jobs (even when item/s have been purchased from them) - Put up with as location is close by. However, went in as a bolt on my crank came off, and was told that they don't have bolts that size and they would get one in (charge £25-30, fitted). A few days later get a call saying that they couldn't source the right size bolt and that the entire chain set would need changing (charge £135-150). I balked at that! So I took my bike to another bike shop in Withington. They also didn't have right size bolt in, but found the right one for me to purchase myself online from wiggle (price £2.99). They also told me how to do the job myself, as it was simple, and it was! Suffice it to say YOU'VE LOST a customer and anyone I know who does business with you. OUTRAGEOUS!

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.