After a nightmare 2 hour journey to travel 20 miles, I got there near closing time (why does everyone decide to crash their cars when I go places??).

The guy I spoke to seemed to know what he was talking about, but was also trying to steer me towards a bike with carbon forks (ORBEA Enol ???) which was £100 more.  For someone who is a novice and hasn't ridden a road bike for over 10 years, I have no idea whether a carbon fork is really going to be worth it. 

He also tried  to "sell" me their set-up service - measuring me up etc for the bike which would be £35 and would normally be taken off the price of the bike, but not off the bikes that are reduced!  I don't think it's worth it for a "budget" bike.  He suggested I go back when there is more time, dressed for the occasion, and go out on a test ride on the bikes I like.

Other than that, I was impressed by the store (AW Cycles in Reading) and the staff seemed generally very helpful.  They had a good range of bikes (although the ones I looked at were "bottom of range") so I may go back when I have more time.