Me and Mrs Bombardier were on a mission to buy a bike each, and asking a serious-bike-riding friend for some advice led to us visiting Cycle King in Sawbridgeworth. It was recommended due to the large stock that they hold, and of some good quality brands at relatively cheap prices, and also on account of being an 'independent'. That said, they have over 27 branches so psychologically they're not 'local' in the traditional sense. At least not to me.
Anyway, the Sawbridgeworth shop was the first they opened in the early 70's, and is typical of a shop front from that era. It is small, with peeling-paint wooden window frames and a couple of racks of bikes out the front. As you drive by looking for somewhere to park (I'll come onto that later) you think, why did I bother? It looks old, small and nasty. However, once you approach you see that the shop goes back a LONG way, probably around 100-120ft and they have a LOT of bikes!
The kids bikes are at the front of the shop, then juniors, then adults, with the till at the very back along with the accessories. There are bikes of all sizes, colours, styles and prices, most of which have tickets on them with price discounts marked on them. It feels like a phantom sale most of the time, and as they are on nearly every bike I'd be suspicious as to just how discounted they really are - I certainly found their prices comparable to the standard ticket price in some other dealers so take their 'extra special sale' with a pinch of salt. A tenner or 2 off of the ticket price still means you can get another accessory that you wouldn't have otherwise budgeted for at least.
They can order in different frame sizes etc. and seem to be relatively knowledgeable about the different brands they stock. One thing to note is that they build bikes during the week and put them out in store on a Friday, so visiting the shop on a Friday or early Saturday morning will see you having the best choice.
Servicing and repairs are offered too, and the price for a standard service here is circa £25.
So, that's all the good stuff. Now the not so good.
As I mentioned, the parking is a bloody nightmare. During the week, as it is all yellow lines on the busy road that the shop is on, you will struggle. Sundays are OK to park on the yellows, but not Saturdays, I don't think. Soon after either side of the shop are two places you can try and park although the caveat 'at your own risk' applies here. There are a carpet shop, flats and offices that have an off-street car park but it is customers, residents and workers respectively that are allowed to use them. The other side has a pub, but obviously it's only really for punters. Have a pint after shopping and you may be OK ;-) Failing that there is a Budgens and another shop on the opposite side of the road that have car parks - don't know if you have to pay for the use though, or actually shop in them.
The worst thing (we found) about Cycle King were the staff. Whilst knowledgeable, they're really not very friendly, bordering on surly. You get the impression that it's too much bother, whatever you ask them, and they seem bored, unprofessional and downright rude at times. If it's service with a smile you're looking for you won't get it, unless you walk in with a Raleigh, then they might let a snigger slip in your direction. That's why I'm only giving them 3 stars. read more
