Cyclesuperstore - a review

el tel

Inspired by mentions in this forum I decided to head down to Cyclesuperstore in Tallaght for a look. To say I was underwhelmed would be a huge understatement.

The place is far from specialist and seems to cater largely for beginners and people who will be told what they should have. I've no gripe with that as everyone has to start somewhere but the product ranges and brands on display seemed really limited, possibly exacerbated by the size and emptiness of the store. No variety of top end racing bikes, mostly naff clothing (Assos stuff is good but the range here seems like it was from 2002), very few shoes and not a great deal of 'I'd love that' style componentry or frames. One thing which did surprise me was the array of extremely expensive carbon wheels (Zipp, Mavic, Pro, Corima) which seemed incongruent against the otherwise mediocre gear on display.

Surely stores like this must get a kicking from the likes of Chainreactioncyles or good specialist shops? I suppose I really should have been more weary of any shop billed as a 'superstore'...which is almost a by-word for mass-market mediocrity.

Membrane

Do you know any bricks and mortar stores on the island of Ireland that have a bigger and better stock than cyclesuperstore?

Afaics chainreactioncycles are MTB orientated and don't have a great offering for roadies (looking at the few road bikes they sell anyway).

BeardyGit

Ehhh...You do know they're in the middle of moving premises, don't you?

And you must also realise that shops need profits, not browsers looking for 'I'd love that' componentry. What were you actually buying today? Nothing I guess. Did you ask them could they get you anything in particular? I'll bet not, but I'd guess they'd have answered yes if you were actually going to *spend money* on something.

Honestly, I'm not trying to be an arse, but it's about time people wised up and stopped expecting retailers in a comparatively small marketplace like Ireland to keep stock ranges to equal those of online mass-retailers like CRC, Wiggle etc.

Personally, I don't find anything in the superstore to meet my needs when it comes to whole bikes or forks for example, but I'm a super-picky git when it comes to my bike stuff. On the occasions when I've needed something to keep me going, like derailleurs, tyres, tubes etc., they've always had what I needed to get the job done, and usually for just €2-3 more than CRC for example....And they had it in stock. No wait for 24-48 hours. And my quids paid wages here in Ireland. And taxes here in Ireland.

My 2c.

Gil

iregk

el tel wrote:

the otherwise mediocre gear on display.

I have to say I'm somewhat struggling with this comment. They have race bikes (assuming this is what your looking for) that range from €500 to €3k. They they have the top end bikes that are in the region of 10k. I guess anything below 5k for you is mediocre?

Also as already said they are in the game for profit. Profit does not come from having a shop full of 5k+ bikes just for people to look at. If you want one they will order it in for us usually within about 3 days! Did you ask them that?

They have a large selection of wheels as thats a commonly replaced part on a lot of bikes.

As for the shoes last time I was there they had an entire wall of cycling shoes, again are you looking for a particularly custom pair?

One factor to consider as well its August and le tour is just over. Most of the buying will have been done by now with the main surge due to the tour. So stores at this time are generally low on stock before the pre christmas order/rush.

el tel

Gil_Dub wrote:

What were you actually buying today? Nothing I guess.

As I said, I went there for a look. I don't suppose you only visit shops where you intend to, or definitely will buy something?

Gil_Dub wrote:

Honestly, I'm not trying to be an arse, but it's about time people wised up and stopped expecting retailers in a comparatively small marketplace like Ireland to keep stock ranges to equal those of online mass-retailers like CRC, Wiggle etc.

I didn't expect them to have stock ranges equal to that of any online mass retailer and didn't mention having any such expectation. But one thing is for sure is that I've been in bike shops elsewhere in Ireland with a much smaller local market and the ranges there made those in the cyclesuperstore pale in comparison.

Gil_Dub wrote:

Personally, I don't find anything in the superstore to meet my needs when it comes to whole bikes or forks for example, but I'm a super-picky git when it comes to my bike stuff.

Precisely. I guess that's my problem too.

iregk wrote:

They have race bikes (assuming this is what your looking for) that range from €500 to €3k. They they have the top end bikes that are in the region of 10k. I guess anything below 5k for you is mediocre?

Also as already said they are in the game for profit. Profit does not come from having a shop full of 5k+ bikes just for people to look at. If you want one they will order it in for us usually within about 3 days! Did you ask them that?

As I said, there was a distinct lack of variety. The only road bikes I could see where Lapierre, Look with some Trek, Giaint and Pinarello bikes. The shops I usually use, which are tiny places in comparison and where I never hear the 'we don't have it but we can order it in for you' line, each supply, on average, bikes from around 9 different manufacturers and most conceivable components and clothing items from many more.

Cyclesuperstore obviously know their market (Halfords bike shoppers?) and cater for it down to a tee but I just personally thought it was pretty mediocre as far as road bikes go. Now if I wanted a bike with stabilizers and a matching pink helmet that would be a different matter...

Drapper

what were you looking for and did you ask could they get it?

I've never had a problem with the shop and they have always been able to get what I want!

Dublin lacks good bike shops but in my opinion having visited evans cycles and pedalon in the UK they are on a par!

rubadub

el tel wrote:

I just personally thought it was pretty mediocre as far as road bikes go. Now if I wanted a bike with stabilizers and a matching pink helmet that would be a different matter...

I would expect them to order as required as mentioned. A kids pink bike is a low cost stock item that will probably sell eventually since people looking for them are not too particular.

I would not expect to walk into any old car salesroom and drive out in the exact car I wanted, especially if only 2-3 of that car was sold in Ireland each year.
Holding stock that is depreciating all the time makes no business sense, if they did so their bikes would be so expensive that you would not go there at all.

Stereophonic

Drapper wrote:

Dublin lacks good bike shops but in my opinion having visited evans cycles and pedalon in the UK they are on a par!

What would make a bike shop better in your opinion

Cyclelogical, Cycleways & Cyclesuperstore are really good bike shops and there all in Dublin. Very professional!

Capt'n Midnight

Gil_Dub wrote:

Ehhh...You do know they're in the middle of moving premises, don't you?

The shop to the south of the square is closed and a sign points to the new place at the east end of Airton Road. They are in the industrial estate beside the Extravision.

daymobrew

Gil_Dub wrote:

Ehhh...You do know they're in the middle of moving premises, don't you?

AFAIK The 'move' is finished. They are probably slowly adding the stock and range that they mentioned on the website.

CSS_site wrote:

• New shop looks fantastic - it's 4 times bigger giving much more space for products stock and display. So if you are looking for anything Bike Related - we have it now!
• What's the benefits to our Web Customers? We will improve our stock holding and take on new lines and brands to give you even bigger choice in our online shop.