I cam to Garlands, part of the Zero G family, after my wheel began to buckle slightly and I figured I would need a new one. Indeed I did, said the bicycle repair man, but I would also need various other apparently essential things done too. I couldn't afford it at the time so just had a new wheel fixed but whenever I rang up to enquire about it they said they hadn't got round to finishing it and the whole process took about three weeks before I got my bike back. I don't know how complicated it is to change a wheel but I wouldn't have expected to wait longer than a week. They did a great job on the wheel though and when I mentioned how long it had taken the guy behind the till (not the one that I left my bike with) was very apologetic and even gave me a couple of free inner tubes and a bike pump nozzle for free. Very nice of them but I'm not sure I would take my bike here again. Good shop for bikes and accessories though. read more

Given that I'd been using my bike religiously for a good year and hadn't had it serviced once in that time, I thought it might be wise to get it looked over. It was still in good working order except for a slightly dodgy left brake. Passing Zero G Cycles the next day, I thought I'd pop in and see if they could give it a quick service. Fortunately (or so I thought at the time), they weren't busy that day and one of the guys said he could assess it there and then. After a very brief once over, he looked at me with a face that suggested he really wasn't impressed. He then casually declared he'd have to pretty much re-build it in order to make it roadworthy. Quoting me an extortionate price, I told him I couldn't possibly afford that and that I'd have to look further afield before committing to this dubious plan. Clearly put out by my lack of faith in him, he proceeded to announce, 'Well, love. If you don't get those wheels changed soon, you'll be using your pretty little face as the brakes'. Ah, the true colours of a con artist! I subsequently got my bike serviced at nearby Strada Cycles, who made a few minor repairs for the modest price of £30. They didn't make the connection between my face and the brakes... read more

Excellent customer service. I found the staff here to be friendly and spent time to help me find the right bike, unlike some other shops in the area. Tom was the person who served me, he helped me try the bikes for size and did not try to oversell anything. Once ordered the bike was ready within a couple of days and they called me as soon as it was ready, this was done quickly as i told them i would like it for a trip i had planned. Staff are friendly and always available. I have not found service as good as this in any other bike shop within miles. 5 stars. read more

I recently bought my mountain bike here through the 'cycle to work' scheme and whilst most of the guys working here are really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, there are a couple of guys who dont seem to want to help in any way. I'm really happy with my bike, but that's because I received very good service from this lovely guy. However, whenever I 've been back since, to order helmets, accessories etc I've had the misfortune to come across a couple of the less 'professional' guys'. This is a pity - its a great shop with a great reputation within the local community and it would be a shame if a couple of assistants let them down. read more

Excellent customer service. I found the staff here to be friendly and spent time to help me find the right bike, unlike some other shops in the area. Tom was the person who served me, he helped me try the bikes for size and did not try to oversell anything. Once ordered the bike was ready within a couple of days and they called me as soon as it was ready, this was done quickly as i told them i would like it for a trip i had planned. Staff are friendly and always available. I have not found service as good as this in any other bike shop within miles. 5 stars. read more

The Downend store is great, they're very helpfull and friendly, can't fault them. The Bedminster store, they know their stuff but the manager is a bit stroppy. He got anoyed with me when I returned my forks under warranty and they had to service for free after one of the technicians said there was a known fault on the forks and that they've had the problem a few times before. Also the manager got stroppy when I had done some research on bike purchases and questioned his suggestions whilst looking for a new bike. Chill out and you might get some better ratings. read more

I came across this shop while helping a non-cyling friend buy a bike for commuting. The staff in the shop were very sales orientated and didn't seem to know what they were talking about. The sales person tried to persuade him that a bike that was the wrong size was fine (until I pointed out why it wasn't). He then said he wouldn't order in larger size to try unless we bought it as he felt the shop shouldn't have to shoulder the risk of unsaleable stock - this goes against any advice on bike buying i.e. that you should always ride before you buy. After some peruasion they said they would order one in only to subsequently telephone to say that the manufacturer no longer had any stock left. This was a lie. We contacted another bike shop (Mud dock) who was happy to help. I am an experienced cyclist and this has to be one of the most appalling bike shops I have come across, focused mostly on making a sale rather than providing a good service. Avoid like the plague. read more

Came by the store recently to test ride a couple of ladies town bikes after pre-arranging it over the phone. Spoke to a young gentleman who was most helpful and guided me to what they advised to be the best bike for my commute from Brislington to Clifton a few times a week. Really impressed with my shiny new kitted up Vita and really can't fault the service! read more

I first went to Zero G with a very noisy free hub on a Specialized which they agreed to replace under warranty. At the time they decided that a new part was necessary which they could claim from Spesh but then ordered the wrong part, rather than rectify their mistake they just plugged it full of grease to keep it quiet, it felt like quite a bodge considering how sure they were at first about replacing the part. Perhaps stupidly I went to them again for a service, I was doubtful that any work was carried out at all as the gear set came back in exactly the same condition, they claim that they had trued the wheels but I am doubtful how much work was actually done after this they charged me an extortionate amount for which you could get a complete re build at other bike shops. I feel that the shop are too eager to sell you something rather than give you genuine advice, I now use another more traditional bike shop who actually give advice on maintaining the bike such as filing brake pads before necessarily replacing them, this would not happen at Zero G who are quick to find something you must buy off them. Do not use them! read more

I don't normally write reviews but there are a couple of negative reviews of this place which simply aren't representative of Garland's cycles as a whole. I'm a cycling freak and regularly time trial and road race in the summer season. I ride for a local club and hold a british cycling category 2 road race licence, so i know my stuff. Garland's is one of the best bike shops around. The staff are extremely friendly and do NOT con people. I been to a million crappy bike shops in London that look to rip people off all the time, and Garland's is completely the opposite. The manager gave up a couple of hours of his time once to show me how to glue tubular tyres. Recently they spent 45 minutes servicing my bike without me even phoning in advance. I also get discounts on almost everything i buy. Maybe it's because i've built up a good relationship (which is the key to finding a good bike shop imho) but i actually feel INDEBTED to this place and would give them 6 out of 5 if i could!! read more