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MYSTERY SHOPPER


South Manchester and Cheshire belt


O Peak Cyclesport, Macclesfield


Mystery Shopper takes a journey North to the commuting conurbations around the South Manchester / Cheshire belt, to see what is on offer in terms of service, product knowledge and bike shop appeal…


PEAK CYCLESPORTS was initially a difficult find, not expecting a bike shop to actually be in Macclesfield town centre. When I got there, the entrance too was not immediately apparent. The swingboard outside at least told me it was open. Inside was a different story. I was greeted by an enthusiastic Greg as the till area is right by the door, a great layout to capture custom. He was not pushy and quickly teased out of me what I was looking for. He hit my budget square on with a robust looking Focus with Hydraulic Disks and rack mounts, a really solid looking commuter. He then skillfully moved me up the price range a little to a Whyte Malvern, explaining the benefits of a higher front cockpit and front suspension for more recreational use. The shop was clean, functional and not just a clutter of inaccessible bikes. Overall, I was really impressed, Greg knew his stuff and sold me what I needed, except for any accessories. We did not discuss that and it was an opportunity to up-sell, with the greater margins they tend to afford. This is how all bike shops should be. Excellent parking facilities were adjacent too.


14 BIKEBIZ JANUARY ‘Bikes’, Macclesfield


I DID not have high expectations of this ‘corner shop’, out of town, with empty bike boxes to one side and second hand bikes clustered around the other side of the entrance. Upon entering, things did not initially look any better. The sales floor was tiny, rammed with bikes and had a decidedly old school ‘spit and sawdust’ feel. There was an appeal, though I realized that was down to the smell of chain oil and harking back to where I bought my first bike from, many years ago. Enthusiastically, the shop owner gleaned the relevant details from me and disappeared upstairs, me chasing in his wake, I had not expected this extra space. First bike hit well under my budget, and sensing my displeasure, he rounded on a Merida Crossway 100. Downstairs he showed me the catalogue, explaining there was a colour option, and that there were bikes at the next price point up. If I wanted one, it could be available the next day as. On closer inspection, this is a hard working bike shop, probably with only the owner as a permanent member of staff. Less than organised, with plenty of stock for the novice and children’s market.


BIKEBIZ.COM





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