Here at Evans Cycles we want to be able to involve our customers more in the products we sell, and help you make a more informed choice. We already feature your reviews on the main site, but here on the blog we want to highlight our top reviewers and give more customers a chance to review products.
With such a large product range we rely on our customers and staff to try out all our products and then post reviews for others to make informed decisions on what products to use. This is why we would like to introduce Ride it and Rate it!
Ride it and rate it means we send out FREE product to customers to test and get their honest opinion on products we stock. Our suppliers have come to the party with their newest kit to dish out to those that are regular riders and great reviewers.
We are aiming to have a panel of riders from all aspects and levels of cycling and every 3 months we will give you free product to review.
If you would like to be part of this simply reply to this post telling us about a review you have already posted on the website and what sort of riding you are doing. We will then choose the best reviews and contact you to join the team!
To get a feel for what we are after here is a review from Gavin who is one of our customers and member of the current Ride It and Rate It panel. We sent Gavin out a Specialized S-Works helmet (and various other kit), here is what he had to say:
The Specialized S Works in all its carbon glory!
”So comfortable you might forget you’re even wearing it!
Helmets are generally a grudge purchase. Most people will hesitate before spending over £100 on something they hope they never have to use, but when the worst happens and you suddenly get a very close view of the road surface, it might just be the best money you ever spent.
My dedication to writing this review, perhaps understandably, hasn’t extended to deliberately throwing myself on my head to see whether it keeps me safe as it ought, but the rigid carbon reinforced structure of the helmet gives me a higher degree of confidence than a simple polystyrene shell product might, and the snug fitting, easily adjusted cradle prevents any unwanted movement on the head while riding.
One of the typical drawbacks of putting anything on top of your head during exercise is the reduction in airflow leading to discomfort from overheating and perspiration. Specialized have clearly worked hard to try to overcome these issues as the S-Works is to helmets what Swiss cheese is to, well, cheese. The numerous vents keep your head really well ventilated and are large enough to be able to address those long-ride itches. The internal padding is removable and washable , and two sets of pads are provided to allow the user to arrange the internal cushioning to suit them. The chin straps are made from thin, soft webbing, and like the rear cradle, are easily adjusted for best fit and comfort.
With a claimed weight of 199 grammes (mine tipped the kitchen scales at a still-not-so-hefty 210g), the S-Works helmet is featherlight and super-comfortable. In fact, when properly adjusted, it’s so unobtrusive you may well find you don’t even remember to take it off at the café stop! It comes with a protective bag to keep it in good condition in transit, and a removable plastic visor which attaches easily to the front lip.
In terms of styling, the helmet is attractive but understated – what stands out are the carbon reveals and the generous vents. Until the day that you find you have to rely on its primary function, you might well be the only person who doesn’t notice you’re wearing it. Long may it remain that way.”
Great review Gavin and just what we are after!
Remember, if you would like to be a part of the Ride it and Rate it team, please reply to this post below and tell us about a review you have already posted on the site and what sort of riding you are doing. We will then choose the best reviewers and contact you to join the team!
Hello
I am replying to your blog to register my interest in your ride it and rate it team.
The last product i reviewed was the kryptonite new york 3000 D lock. I have actually bought a bike from you guys a few months ago and have been meaning to review it and probably will soon, just haven’t got round to it yet !
I bought a cyclocross bike as i from you, so i guess you can say my riding is mainly cyclocross riding as i am looking to start racing when the season starts perhaps. I am also into mountain biking and am a regular visitor to the trails around dorking (peaslake and leith hill areas).
Thanks !
Good stuff Jack and thanks for letting us know, sounds like you have plenty of reviewing experience! Once we have built up a small pool of potential reviewees we’ll be in touch.
I would like to register an interest. Despite having had a bus pass for many years I still use bikes for commuter type rides into the city (Norwich) and recreational riding on Sustrans 1 and elsewhere. Currently I ride a 25 year old Dawes tourer, am building a Holdsworth fixie and have a modern lightweight hybrid. When partnered by my wife we ride a Dawes tandem. We also use an electric bike as a ‘shopper’ Having spent 40 years in car research and development, where reviewing books and articles was part of my daily life I do recall which end of a pen to put to paper, have some IT skills and can take recognizable photographs. I am also a stock size so testing clothing would not present a problem. Although I ski when funds allow I would not be specially likely to scale Ventoux on a mountain bike.
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the reposnse, if possible could you send us through a link of a review you have done on our site?
Cheers, Stu
Quick email to register my interest.
I’m a daily commuter on my hybrid and a weekender road bike rider. I would say I average at least 75 miles a week in the saddle (good job I have a few good pairs of well padded shorts!!!) Only missed three days during the winter months due to the snow been about 3 feet deep, not even I could get through that. How I would of appreciated a decent goretex cycing jacket to review on some of those miserable cold Scottish mornings.
Although I’ve only been seriously cycling for the last 3 years I’ve done plenty of Sportives, including the Etape Caledonia and the Artemis Higland 100, both events are superb if you get the chance to do either. My mrs thinks I’m obessed with looking at and buying cycling gear, in fairness she’s right, I am!! I can definately say that if you give me a bash as one of your reviewers the kit I test be well used come rain or shine, or even snow. Oh aye, nearly forgot to mention that I haven’t reviewed any products recently, but hopefully you’ll get a flavour of my chat and how I would enjoy the chance to be part of your team.
Hi Simon,
Sounds like you have some great experience there! We are gathering some more people and will let everyone know shortly.
Cheers, Stu
I would like to express my interest in your “ride it and rate it”.
I am an mature cyclist (stistically, at least!), having returned to cycling a few years ago. In my youth I was a gold standard time triallist over 10, 25, and 50 miles, and top sprinter in the Kent Grass Track League. A level of fitness and speed that is sorely missed, and sadly no longer achievable.
Now living in the middle of the Surrey Hills, my cycling is currently focussed on cross-country, using an ex-Camel Trophy, Lee Cougan mountain bike. (My other hobby is off-road driving and training in a Camel-Trophy Land Rover).
I ride about 60 off-road (hilly!) miles per week, and I completed the last two 30 mile Dorking Ride-its as part of my “training programme”. My plan is to return to the tarmac fairly soon, possibly for some classic time trials and probably some sportives.
My last review was for a pair of Scott Down-Hill trousers.
regards,
David
Hi Stu,
Would love to be part of the Ride It and Rate It team. Like many I find the customer reviews an essential part of any potential purchase given the opportunity to find out what a product is really like, void of any bias and carefully crafted blurb from the manufacturers. A great source of useful snippets of info, and answers to the inevitable ‘What about..?’ questions that may cross your mind.
To that end I’ve been giving something back by submitting reviews of products I’ve purchased. One such review is of the 2010 Specialized Crosstrail Sport; a hybrid purchased to fulfil my ‘general purpose’ riding varying from nipping to the shops through to weekend rides with my girlfriend (who owns a 2010 Specialized Ariel Sport – also reviewed of course!). Great to see you’re not shy of publishing all reviews, warts and all, as per my recent Saris Bones 3 review which, for me, didn’t quite hit the spot.
Mathew
Hi, I’ve been commuting for about 6 years and have recently really been putting pedal to the metal! I live in Eastbourne and work in Brighton and whilst I usually ride to railway stations as part of the daily commute I am now also doing the full 46 mile return ride around once a week! I have a Specialized hybrid bike, and am seriously considering purchasing a decent road bike as soon as funds allow. I don’t like to admit it, but the need to be fit is most likely a reaction to the impending big 4 – 0 – although I have a couple of years yet!
I’ve become an ever increasing victim of Evans marketing which means I’ve a reasonable stock of accessories and am rather susceptible to ‘upgrading’ on a whim, both for myself and as a response to famil pressure…
A father of 4 boys aged between 7 and 14, my wife and kids all ride and also crave the latest kit. My eldest rides to school and the missus occasionally rides to work when the weather is good (or if I nick the car to go to the gym!).
I recently reviewed a pair on Bontrager RL shoes which should appear on the website shortly (I only wrote it yesterday). That was great fun to write, and an interesting exercise which really makes you think about how sensibly you are spending your hard earned cash.
My wife, boys and I would all be keen guinea pigs so please throw any merchandise our way and we’ll really put it through it’s paces!
Hello, and thanks for all the great feedback. We will be making the deicisions on Monday morning and will post up on here the lucky people!
Following my previous message, please note that my review of the Scott Downhill trousers was from TDF110 at http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/downhill-pants-ec017740#reviews
Just noticed the typo in my first message: ”stistically” should of course be “statistically”!
David
Hi Stu
I’m keen to join the Ride it and Rate it panel, here’s a link to the latest review I did: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/espoir-2010-kids-bike-26-inch-wheel–ec021951?query=espoir%20300#BVRRWidgetID. I also keep a blog, mostly about my Cycling (sad I know) and you can check that out here : http://not2old2.blogspot.com/. I am a recent convert to road cycling, and been doing it for about 2 years. Last year I cycled from Brighton 2 Barcelona (http://www.brighton2barcelona.com) and next year, for my 5oth I plan to go across the states in 30 days. I am starting to get back into a proper training schedule so there will be ample opportunity to test new equipment. Stu, it would be great to hear from you and I shall keep my fingers firmly crossed. TTFN Nick
Hi stu, I have bought several items from Evans cycles and i believe that the most recent were some inner-tubes.
I am a road bike rider of 49 years old with a modest Specialized Allez 2009 from Evans naturally.My son Stu and I belong to my works cycling club which exposes us to various aspects of cycling.
I would love to ride and rate any merchandise that is going as they are usually one of the most important ways of letting the public know just what to expect for their money!
To be honest though, when I see a review such as the one written by “Gavin”, I would totally ignore it, as it comes across as too well written and therefore I would be suspiscious of it’s origins.
I love the” warts and all” reviews, and that is what I could offer to you.
Best wishes,
Rog.
Hi Stu,
My first purchasing experience with Evans cycles was last year when i bought a scott Sub flat bar. Since then all my bike maintenance, upgrades and accesories purchases have been from Evans. I recently upgraded to a Cannondale Synapse Tiagra 2010 Women’s Road Bike. and trully recommended it to those who wanted to buy a good value for money road bike (I left a review which should be up soon). Although i wasnt into cycling last, year i decided to buy a bike and since then my enthusiasm has trully grown. I am now a regular cyclist (commuting and long weekend rides). Hope to be a part of your team. Paola
Wow! Thanks everyone for your interest. Due to the amount of contact we will choose the lucky few by the end of day today! Keep an eye on here.
Congratulations to the following people who will become part of our ride it and rate it panel:
Simon
MJN
David Harmes
Paola Hernandez
I will email you today requesting more details and arrange for some kit to be sent out for review.
Once again, a big thank you to everyone that posted here. We will be doing this throughout the year so keep checking back and hopefully we can get you in the next panel in a few months.