Specialized Ireland

omri

I passed by Specialized Ireland shop on my way from Naas to Dublin. Is this ran by the folks from cycleways or completely new shop ? Anyone been there or bought directly from them ?

ED E

Spec took the distributorship from CW ages back. Two lads then set up SI in a shed, finally getting this shop. They have the CW head mechanic but are otherwise unrelated.

Its not really a shop, its a showroom/concept store. Coffee bar, loads of bike p0rn. Very Rapha. 6 serving bays I think, they'll work on any brand. Even if you aren't buying its 100% worth a visit.

crosstownk

ED E wrote: »

Its not really a shop, its a showroom/concept store. Coffee bar, loads of bike p0rn. Very Rapha. 6 serving bays I think, they'll work on any brand. Even if you aren't buying its 100% worth a visit.

I work within walking distance of it but I've never called in. I assumed it was just a shop but based on your post, I'll make it the destination for one of my lunchtime strolls next week*.






*I'll leave the credit card and phone on my desk as I don't trust myself.

ED E

FWIW I'm not affiliated it all, just like being able to buy Armadillo tyres in ireland again.

ballyharpat

I bought my Tarmac there. The mechanics are excellent. They have lots of products, and as said already, lots of bike p0rn. Like Specialized all over the world, the prices are pretty much non-negotiable, but they can give extras and it's great to hop on a bike and do a fit. They also have the full set up to do a retul bike fit etc.

Definitely worth checking out.

Eamonnator

ED E wrote: »

FWIW I'm not affiliated it all, just like being able to buy Armadillo tyres in ireland again.

My son filmed that video.

omri

ED E wrote: »

FWIW I'm not affiliated it all, just like being able to buy Armadillo tyres in ireland again.

I remember these from my daily work commutes, back in a day. 0 punctures but real bit%es in the wet...

ED E

They've been revised several times, no traction issues now.

a148pro

ED E wrote: »

Its not really a shop, its a showroom/concept store.

This. I described it on another thread as like a duty free shop in Heathrow airport. No soul. I got my bike for 30 per cent cheaper delivered to me from the north from a bricks and mortar shop. I doubt the shop is about making money, more about establishing a brand, possibly some tax write off also.

benneca1

a148pro wrote: »

This. I described it on another thread as like a duty free shop in Heathrow airport. No soul. I got my bike for 30 per cent cheaper delivered to me from the north from a bricks and mortar shop. I doubt the shop is about making money, more about establishing a brand, possibly some tax write off also.

You must work for another bike manufacturer. Seems you have it in for them.

coastwatch

a148pro wrote: »

This. I described it on another thread as like a duty free shop in Heathrow airport. No soul. I got my bike for 30 per cent cheaper delivered to me from the north from a bricks and mortar shop. I doubt the shop is about making money, more about establishing a brand, possibly some tax write off also.

No Soul?

a148pro

benneca1 wrote: »

You must work for another bike manufacturer. Seems you have it in for them.

Well I own two of them so unlikely. They're not hard to not like either - https://www.outsideonline.com/1920596/war-specialized

No soul because local bike store it ain't. Hard to put your finger on it but duty free is the best analogy. Go out and see what you think.

terrydel

coastwatch wrote: »

No Soul?

So you think some pretentious 'concept store' aactually has a soul?

Lumen

Christ this thread is bitchy.

magicbastarder

coastwatch wrote: »

No Soul?

maybe he meant the background music policy?

AmberGold

a148pro wrote: »

Well I own two of them so unlikely. They're not hard to not like either - https://www.outsideonline.com/1920596/war-specialized

No soul because local bike store it ain't. Hard to put your finger on it but duty free is the best analogy. Go out and see what you think.

Don’t necessarily agree with you on the ambiance of the Speciaized store but that’s a good article.

benneca1

a148pro wrote: »

Well I own two of them so unlikely. They're not hard to not like either - https://www.outsideonline.com/1920596/war-specialized

No soul because local bike store it ain't. Hard to put your finger on it but duty free is the best analogy. Go out and see what you think.

Been there had bike back for some work found them grand competent mechanics no nonsense so hard to see how you think soulless unless imo the chaps there are great

CramCycle

Everyone I talk to says its a really nice store, great staff and all round good service. Seems like they have good people and a good service which is all you want from any store. Alas I will never buy a specialized but i wish them all the best.

Tenzor07

Just to echo what others have said.... I recognise a lot of the staff from other stores and they're usually the best I've come across.. And the store looks amazing, if a bit dark/grey...

I'm no specialized fan by the way!

steamsey

Got a bike there last week - was very happy with the service. Bike porn is right, there's a €10k road bike there.

Eamonnator

steamsey wrote: »

Got a bike there last week - was very happy with the service. Bike porn is right, there's a €10k road bike there.

That's not the dearest one.

ED E

magicbastarder wrote: »

maybe he meant the background music policy?

IMRO got to them :pac:

Cee-Jay-Cee

CramCycle wrote: »

Everyone I talk to says its a really nice store, great staff and all round good service. Seems like they have good people and a good service which is all you want from any store. Alas I will never buy a specialized but i wish them all the best.

I was the same after the whole Roubaix café afffair but spotted an S-works Roubaix frameset on eBay at Christmas and bid on it and won so I stripped my own bike and built it up. I absolutely love it, its a dream to ride, looks fantastic (matt black with polish black detailing/stickers) and lighter than my previous bike (which is always a good thing)

CramCycle

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I was the same after the whole Roubaix caffffair but spotted an S-works Roubaix frameset on eBay at Christmas and bid on it and won so I stripped my own bike and built it up. I absolutely love it, its a dream to ride, looks fantastic (matt black with polish black detailing/stickers) and lighter than my previous bike (which is always a good thing)

Alot of things in life are a great ride, doesn't mean I'd like to be caught/seen riding some of them :pac:

Weepsie

The whole litigious nature they had a few years back put me off them, but my daily commuter is a Trek with a 7 times TdF stamp on it so what do I know