Criterium Cycles was established in Edinburgh in 2013 by brothers Paul and Richard Bowker. Our vision has always been to deliver outstanding customer service and be one of the best bike shops in the UK. We believe that by stocking the best brands supported by knowledgeable staff who ride and wear the products we sell, we give our customers the confidence that they are buying the right products supported by impartial and professional advice. We always make sure we find out as much as we can about your riding objectives and level of experience at the very outset so we can make sure we supply you with the bike that is right for you. We were voted Scotland's best bike shop in 2021 but have now become a truly UK wide business with our hugely successful National Delivery Service ensuring more customers than ever can take advantage of the outstanding customer service that the name Criterium Cycles has become synonymous with.
428 Verified Customer Reviews
428 Customer Ratings and Reviews
Shopper Approved collects trusted reviews from customers who have made a verified purchase.
4.9
Overall Star
Rating
5-star reviews
About this Company
Criterium Cycles was established in Edinburgh in 2013 by brothers Paul and Richard Bowker. Our vision has always been to deliver outstanding customer service and be one of the best bike shops in the UK. We believe that by stocking the best brands supported by knowledgeable staff who ride and wear the products we sell, we give our customers the confidence that they are buying the right products supported by impartial and professional advice. We always make sure we find out as much as we can about your riding objectives and level of experience at the very outset so we can make sure we supply you with the bike that is right for you. We were voted Scotland's best bike shop in 2021 but have now become a truly UK wide business with our hugely successful National Delivery Service ensuring more customers than ever can take advantage of the outstanding customer service that the name Criterium Cycles has become synonymous with.
10/02/2021 , Tyne and Wear.
It's a great item. Will fit loads inside which is handy. Really good quality material.
Will definitely be getting more items from here for when I do the Trans pennine trail next year.
09/30/2021 , Midlothian
Criterium provides a high-end service in line with the type of bikes sold. All staff were courteous, professional and well-informed about product details. They listen to customer needs and although clearly keen to sell products, are not overly pushy and are willing to spend as long as it takes to get it right! Highly recommended!
09/30/2021
Brought a new bike from them and the service I received was excellent first class and would recommend them to anyone.and the staff are extremely helpful with everything you want .can't say enough about them Brill
09/26/2021
I cannot express how great the end to end experience of my purchase from Criterium Cycles was. The service was first class and Richard and the team went over and above at every stage.
We will have Criterium at the top of our lists for any future purchases and I have already recommended them to colleagues and friends!
Thank you!
09/22/2021 , Scotland
I wanted a brightly coloured mountain bike. I couldn't find one in Glasgow. So travelled 35 miles to Edinburgh and bought a Trek Marlin 7, from Criterium Cycles.
The shop was well stocked and the owners knew their trade.
A worker spent 20 minutes with me, going over how to get the most from my bike.
I would recommend Criterium Cycles to anyone.
09/20/2021 , Roxburghshire
Great service again - fourth bike we have bought from Criterium in the last few years.
09/17/2021 , West Sussex
Order turned up quickly. However, I'd ordered the wrong sized seatpost clamp. The part was refunded swiftly and with no fuss.
09/16/2021
My order was for a 454g tub of Finish line PTFE grease for £9.99, which seemed very keen. However, Criterium contacted me by phone to establish that the illustration was incorrect and that the price quoted was for a 100g tube. They offered me my money back as they didn't have current stock of the tubs or to take the tube. I was happy to take the tube and it duly arrived very quickly (within 48 hours of placing the order). I was satisfied that they communicated promptly - it was a shame that there was an error in the illustration as thought that I had stumbled upon a bargain. I've used the grease for years and find it excellent.
09/12/2021 , Kent
This was a superb level of customer care.
I could go on for hours on the positives but for those reading these site reviews all the other users positives are true and I experienced the same.
Particular positives relating to my order: I sent an e-mail on a Sunday requesting reserving a new electric bike (shop was closed) and by the evening had the reservation confirmed by e-mail. Bike stocks for this Trek Allant+8 E-bike seemed none existent in the rest of the country at this time so I was so grateful for this out of hours response. Further telephone conversations with the team where so positive, I was never made to feel "small" which I had been incurring in my local area (Kent) specialist shops, and I felt that any small basic question was always treated with respect and with honest answers / solutions given. The in-store delivery, free on my order as over £2k purchase, was a big bonus as my bike was delivered by one of the business owners on the Bank Holiday Monday the next week. 6 days from placing order to delivery was fantastic and Richard spent an hour with me on handover. This delivery service was such a bonus as their obvious pride and care in the order would, maybe, have not been so evident if it was delivered via a third party. As others, I spent a lot of money on my new bike and was quiet nervous about it - Criterium made the experience so positive I am just so happy. Well recommend their service.
09/11/2021 , Gloucestershire
Absolutely spot on dealing with Richard and Rosie couldn't be happier thanks guys and as for bike delivered to the door first class
09/07/2021 , cornwall
quite simply the best online bike business I have ever dealt with. Extremely professional, delivering outstanding customer service. throughout the process of buying my new bike Keith and Richard made me feel really valued and the care and attention they both displayed to ensure everything about the bike was the right thing for me was truly amazing. I will have no hesitation in recommending criteriumcycles to all of the many riders in my club. I should add that I am based in Cornwall, just a few hundred miles away from Edinburgh but delivery to me was never an issue. the best customer service I have ever had.
09/07/2021 , Lancashire
Fantastic
09/06/2021 , Yorkshire
A+ from start to finish. Purchase procedure is very simple and straight forward, the guys are extremely polite and helpful. The only shop in the country that had the bike i wanted in stock, delivered to my door on the date and time agreed. Gave me a full walkthrough of the bike and their website is extemely helpfull for any tips you need afterwards, will certainly be using these guys again and popping into the store if i'm ever up that part of the country.
09/02/2021 , Midlands
I found Criterium Cycles as a result of endlessly searching for a Bianchi Aria in the lesser spotted 'Summertime Dream' frame colour. I found a couple of potential suppliers, but the customer service that I received from Criterium from the outset of my enquiry, right through to delivery (and beyond) made me feel that I was in good (and very knowledgable!) hands from the start. Right from ensuring the fit would work for me, and through to what can only be described as a bespoke delivery, my experience was nothing other than positive. Many thanks to Paul and Richard for your advice and knowledge, likewise to the rest of your team. I made a couple of additional calls to arrange extra fittings (pedals, bottle cage) and was astounded that you not only knew who I was and which bike I had purchased, but were able to draw on your experience to suggest what would work best with my bike. Although Criteruim are based in Edinburgh, and I'm Midlands, the experience was like buying from a local bike shop, and a very knowledgable and experienced one at that.
09/02/2021 , Midlands
The main reason I bought from Criterium is the superb Customer service, quick responses and product knowledge. It felt like they wanted me to have the best bike for me - not the most expensive - and took time to go through the options. They are very passionate about what they do - and the online videos are spot on. I feel like I continue to have their support post delivery of the bike.
09/01/2021 , Anglesey
Great service and a warm welcome from the minute I crossed the threshold
Given a great handover and nothing was too much trouble
It was a great overall experience and I was able to speak with people who were keen to pass on valuable tips and information
It was worth every inch of a 650 mile round trip to collect the bike and one I would do again
With thanks to the team at Criterium
08/31/2021 , Bridgend, South Wales.
I found Richard and the team extremely friendly, efficient and knowledgeable with regards of my purchase of the Trek Allante 5. I had a lot of questions beforehand to ascertain that this model fitted my personal requirements, all my queries were answered politely and efficiently and put my mind at rest if my choice of cycle.
When Richard contacted me about delivery options he was very helpful in arranging a time to suit everybody. He delivered the bike on time and spent a lot of time with me going through all the systems on the cycle. Any questions I had were all answered without hesitation. I cannot find fault with Criterium, brilliant, would certainly recommend them. And I love the bike!!! Very pleased with my choice.
08/31/2021 , Port Talbot
Delivered my Trek Rail 9 one week before the expected delivery date which was awesome. Bike all set up to the exact specs that I gave. Richard spent 30 + mins going through the workings of the bike before handing it over to me. Really helpful and top notch serivice. Will definatley recomend criteriumcycles to anyone. Brilliant. First class.
08/31/2021 , South Pembrokeshire
Absolutely recommend Criterium Cycles. Service is second to none. Friendly helpful staff. Anyone who wants any bike related goods make this your no 1 go to place. Cannot fault them. A1
08/31/2021 , Surrey
fantastic in every way. excellent sizing of bike and suitability of geometry.
great product range, good prices.
Free door to door delivery
great help with cycle to work scheme
great handover of bike and explanation of all the technicalities
I would recommend to anyone looking to buy a new bike.
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