Buying a bike

Why choose a specialist cycle retailer?

There are over 3500 specialist cycle retailers and workshops throughout the UK that make up The Cycling Experts, local specialist cycle shops, which offer a choice of quality products combined with specialist skills and advice to meet all of your needs.

So whether you are looking for a new bicycle, accessories or clothing, a cycle repair, equipment upgrade or simply advice on how to get the most out of your cycling experience, you'll find one of The Cycling Experts businesses near you.

Unlike national chains, The Cycling Experts retailers are owner run and managed, with a real passion for cycling running throughout their businesses, delivering true consumer choice, service and knowledge.

Most shop owners and staff are cycling experts themselves, keen cyclists who have a great deal of experience, often coupled with qualifications achieved via the industry's Cytech training and accreditation programme.

The Cycling Experts retailers will normally operate a professional workshop with qualified mechanics and should be your first port of call to get your pride and joy fixed, repaired and fine-tuned.

You are a valued customer to your local cycle shop, not a statistic on the balance sheet. By buying from one of The Cycling Experts retailers you gain access to a local source of knowledge and expertise that you can rely on.

Read our buying a bike section to get some useful tips before making that purchase decision.

Find your local bike shop here.

The complete guide to everyday cycling

Throughout the 'Buying a Bike' section there are many links to bike lover and Guardian journalist Helen Pidd's Penguin book Bicycle, Love your bike: The complete guide to everyday cycling.  

The book provides a great insight into cycling and covers everything from getting started and choosing the right bike, to cycling safely, commuting and exercise. If you like some of the example attachments then why not buy the book?