Shop Talk is back! We headed over to Pedal Progression in Bristol to see what they were all about!
Who works at Pedal Progression?
Matt Legg-Bagg, Sam Fowler and Ross Gill… Occasionally the girlfriends Natalie & Big Sooz too…
Who’s your old timer?
Sam has just turned 28… that can’t qualify as an old timer though right!?
And who’s the best person to ask for if you’ve got a set of blown forks?
Our in house mechanic Ross lives for those sorta jobs!
How long have you been running for?
The company 18 months. The shop, 2 months.
What are your main brands?
We only have one bike brand – Norco, and we don’t even sell them! We are however the only Norco Demo Centre in the UK and have some tasty treats for you to try, as well as fleet of hire hardtails. We also stock Onza tires, Mule Bar, SIS, Nuun, Park Tool, Shimano, White Lightning (not the cheap cider) and Aztec. We’re still expanding and are regularly taking on new brands.
What’s your biggest seller?
Mountain bike hire is killing it.
What would you like to be your biggest seller?
Skills coaching – It’s what every mountain bike rider needs, but most are too proud to admit it! Instead of spending £75 on a lightweight seatpost, come on one of our skills courses… It will actually make you a better rider!
26, 27.5, or 29″….good thing or bad thing?
29” boring, 27.5” impartial, 26” mountain bike.
And what’s the oldest/most random bit of stock you’ve got?
We have a full set of slalom poles which come out whenever we fancy getting sideways, or practicing our javelin throwing.
Who makes the best cup of tea?
Harry in the golf centre next door. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you how good. Sam won’t drink ‘muddy water’.
Who always rocks up late and hung-over?
Sam, but in all fairness he usually covers it up pretty well. Ross always looks hungover but usually isn’t. Matt’s straight edge, so perhaps speak to him if you call in on a Saturday morning…
What’s your favourite workshop tool?
Ross Spokey – you name it, they’ve done it, together.
Have you got a race team?
Not yet, but we will. We’d like to sort some kind of development team in the future where we can look after our riders with coaching, servicing, fitness and nutrition etc. Watch this space. However, Ross and his Dad will be racing at Bristol’s ‘Oktoberfest’ under the name ‘Pedal Regression’.
What question do you get asked most often?
“Can I borrow your track pump?” Usually followed up by an awkward… “How long have you been here then?” “Business going well?”
Do you have a shop dog?
No. But as Ashton Court is a hot spot for ‘walkies’, we are regularly visited by dogs… Which is nice. Matt thought one had dumped in the shop the other week, but realised it was a slug before he asked the owner to clean up.
Percentage of nice customers to nightmare ones?
All our customers are great! We’d chest bump them all if it were appropriate.
On that note, any funny stories you can share with us?
We are situated next to a golf centre, where every Thursday a rather passionate football fan comes to discuss the weekends goals with the staff there… Children should cover their ears. We do, and then we pick up our megaphones and chat to each other quietly about the DH World Cup.
What’s the best custom bike build you’ve done recently?
Matts Lapierre Rapt is pretty special. A lightweight 4x bike that’s a bit of a rarity in it’s team orange colour. Perhaps not the most expensive build, but it looks the nuts, and rides peachy too.
Any good tunes wafting over the shop airwaves?
Always. Unless we are watching Baywatch on the Sony Bravia… It wouldn’t be the same without the sound, would it?
Staff toilet…Buckingham Palace or Trainspotting?
We don’t have a staff toilet. It’s shared with the public, and it’s ‘space age Trainspotting’. The light is a special hole in the roof – It’s eco friendly innit. The baby changing toilet is surprisingly the least smelly, and gets our vote.
Best place to go riding locally?
We tend to gravitate to the off piste in Leigh Woods or Belmont, where Sam has been busy digging this year with a motley crew of passionate riders – the BRA (Belmont Riders Association). We are so blessed with the quality of riding we have in and around this City. Bristol is banging.
And finally, why should someone shop at your shop?
Cause we’re the raddest dudes in town and know how to party xx
