Charliethebikemonger Reviews 

Might this be 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'? It might as well, because they didn't have the bike, a Marin Pine Mountain 1, I ordered online. The order went through, I was sent confirmation, then the next day I was told they 'couldn't find the bike, we've looked everywhere'??
What they could do was offer me a higher spec, current model at twice the price and make it sound like it was a favour.
Since they listed in stock a medium as well (for a bit more cash than the small) I enquired about it - no, they didn't have it either.
Very disappointing - it was my first new bike in over a decade and the hunt continues.

Couldn't be happier with the products and service! You
guys rule! I'll be recommending you and shopping here again for sure!
Stoked!

I visited Charlie's shop in Swanage a couple of years ago and got chatting to him and another member of the team. Thoroughly decent chaps with a clear passion for the product. I've been toying with buying a CX bike for a while and when a previous years model came up at a discounted price I jumped on it. Charlie posted the bike on my preferred date and it arrived 24 hours later packaged in a cocoon of bubble wrap and cardboard. There was nothing other for me to do than fit the front wheel and align the bars and there it was ready to ride.
Folks... always support your LBS if you can. They provide an invaluable service.

Discovered a crack in my old frame(12years old)so needed a new frame decided on a Surly 1x1 and knew that there was only one man to get it from, ordered from Charlie turned on time and he keep me informed all the way along inc letting me know in advance that the tuggnutt I had ordered to go with the frame would be turning up a few days later

I had done a fair amount of online shopping for a steel 29er frame when I contacted Charlie and he gave me knowledgeable and thoughtful advice and pointed me in the direction of the Salsa El Mariachi which was superb and exactly what I was after. Dealing with Charlie was extremely easy (via Facebook and email as my preferred methods), purchase was as simple as could be and delivery prompt.

7 months later I had a problem with the frame and got in touch with Charlie via email. He responded to everything very quickly and gave excellent communication throughout so I was always fully aware of the process.

Both he and Salsa went to great lenths to make sure I was completely happy with my replacement, and I am!

A recent customer of a few bits and bobs but then I went in for the full monty on advice on a fat bike for off road touring etc. It was at this point I was sent an in depth email by a man known to me at this point as Jack The Bike Dude who convinced me the way ahead was actually the Surly Krampus. I did some reading and did indeed agree with him and, to this day, I know this bike will be my fave purchase of all time (until rocket assisted hover boards are invented).

The bike arrived ASAP and I regularly get little extras on purchase sent to me with the speed of a thousand gazelles! Prices are competitive or even better! In fact, I can't believe it's not butter!

The items are selected, sourced and stocked with pure passion (you won't find a lot of it elsewhere). He is also the UK first and sometimes only UK purveyor of certain niche bikes and often / always cheaper than competition. All of the stuff is awesome, no rubbish, and manufactured for a market that knows their stuff and knows what they want.

They get involved and run local events such as The Gravel Dash, which I sadly missed this time round. Some say (in a Top Gear stylee) that he shuts down early to let the staff shred trails on dragons and that he pays his team in magical unicorn tears! All I know is that he's called Charlie and that he's passionate about what he does!

All the above jokiness aside, I have had wonderful service from them, have many conversations with Jack who is incredibly passionate about what he does and have even had stage fright talking to Charlie himself (he took his Krampus to Iceland! Jammy!!)

These guys are great and I will continue throwing them money for my future wacky adventures! You won't be disappointed!!! Support support support!!!! This is an unbiased review and I have not been bribed / threatened and no kittens were harmed in the making of this review!

No really...I've used lots of bike shops all across the South of England from Essex to Wessex. Charlie and his team are way up there in the "likeable" stats. That's all very well but they know what they are doing on every level when it comes to bikes and customer service: The price was right; the attention to detail was right; the customer contact was right (phone and face to face); the lead-time was right; the build was right; Dave the mechanic was right (I've heard he's never wrong) Jack and Sam the plimsoll wearing, bench-pressing, bacon cooking trainees were great. If they can take with them the attitude instilled on everyone in this shop, they too can be future kings of the bike shop world. Er, just not in Dorset, while Charlie is ruler of the Kingdom

The ethics of this bike shop is just what Britain needs. Nothing was too much trouble and I am left with a feeling that I have been spoiled as a customer. It has been many moons since I have enjoyed buying ANYTHING from anyone as much as I did purchasing my Surly Big Dummy. I'm dreading going to the local supermarket. Charlie: When do you branch out into the world of groceries?

And damn the coffee is good. Take it from me: Stop by for and hot beverage, a bike and an experience. Thank you Charlie et al....b

I wanted an (out of stock) Salsa Fargo fork . It took Charlie about 5 minutes to establish that there were two left - in the entire USA . Ten days later, one of them was on my doorstep.
Pretty good service IMO. Thanks!

After finding out that there were very few UK stockists for the particular saddlebag I needed in very short notice I contacted Charlie... He arranged to get it out very late in the day to ensure I didn't miss my trip. Excellent Service.

Order placed Monday night at 23:00. It arrived Wednesday 10:00, beating the bigger shops easily. Have ordered bits and bobs in the past from CTB, will continue to do so in the future due to good prices and super fast (and often free) delivery. Highly recommended.

First rate service.Called about some Salsa bars.I intended buying a 11 degree bend,but was advised to try a 17,spot on advice.Will defo use again

Charlie had the best price I could find online for the front wheel I bought (Halo AeroRage) and promptly answered my question on whether it would fit the forks on my bike. The wheel was promptly despatched once I'd paid and this was the same as my previous experiences of buying from Charlie. Will definitely buy from him again!

As always cannot fault

First heard about him from a friend who put me on to his mail order service, which I found very reliable. I even managed to make it to his shop, which is in a lovely part of the world and I can certainly say this chap really knows his stuff!

Extensive knowledge of the goods they are pedalling! Enjoys peddling (literally) the goods they are selling & truly a gentleman amongst men when it comes to cake related generosity. If there was an Olympic games for shopkeepers, this guy & his superb bicycle shop would take home the gold!

Good service and a shop you can pop into when your having problems or just want a bike related chat.