Well the other reviewer mentions the word "friendly", which makes me suspect a damage limitation exercise by a Withington Cycles staff member, or by someone on their behalf. Me? Well I have never met such rude, condescending staff in all my days.
I had a brand new bike that was bought on eBay, a boxed, self assembly job. When it arrived I had no trouble putting it together, but realised both wheels were out of true (slightly buckled), and the rear gear derailleur needed properly adjusting. No problem I thought...I'll take it in to my local friendly (cough!) bike shop. So I phoned and booked it in, and was specifically told I'd be able to have it back later on the same day I brought it in. So in it went bright and early the following Monday. "Can we take your number so we can call you when it's finished...which will probably be tomorrow now", they said. So already they were cheesing me off as this was going to be another day without my bike, after a promise they'd have it half a day at most.
So the next day I get a call to come and collect it. As the big lad brought my bike out from the back, I heard one of them take a snobbish swipe at my choice in bike...and the guy wheeling it out had a giggle, but looked embarrassed as he knew I'd heard it. None of this would have mattered to me if my bike was OK, as I'd never have to see them again (rude staff/go elsewhere next time). I paid the guy my £30, and as I was waiting for my receipt, I spun my front wheel...low and behold, still kinking out and buckled. "Erm, excuse me mate, this wheel is still untrue". "I never realised you wanted the wheels truing", he replied. "Yes, I said on the phone that the two main issues I wanted sorting were the untrue wheels and the rear derailleur". "Oh...well in that case you better wait while we fix that" (notice no apology at this point). So I stood in the shop for half an hour while they carried out the repairs they'd had a day and a half to fix. Finally I get it back, which another dig at my choice in bike...this time bold as brass and straight to my face; "It's not a very good one is it....that manufacturer used to make decent bikes, but not any more". "It's all I could afford mate, not all of us have £1000 lying around to spend on a bike" I replied....to which he mumbled something under his breath and shrugged his shoulders.
Since the 'repairs' I quickly discovered scratches all over my frame and a missing barrel adjuster from my gears. Had I been a middle class student with daddy's gold card and a £1000 mountain bike, I'm certain I and my bike would have been treated with a little more respect.
There are other bike shops in Manchester...and friendlier staff. I suggest you give Withington Cycles a wide birth. read more