I use the Tri-centre mainly because they have cyclocross specific knowledge, are near my house and have a coffee shop attached, but also because they are a friendly helpful bunch who know their sports. \n\nSeveral times I've been in and they've recommended kit and I have not been disappointed. I really feel you get good value for money when shopping at your LBS (local bike shop) rather than ordering online. They will quite often recommend you DONT buy the most expensive, rather buy the item that's best for you. All the guys in there are racers and therefore know their nutrition as well, but in the sense that they will recommend based on personal experience. I prefer this to someone saying \""THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER\"". Different things work for different people. They do stock Stinger gels (until they sell out!) which I know some people lose their s*** over. I find them a bit sickly but each to their own! \n\nThey stock LOADS of Triathlon stuff and I would recommend anyone starting out popping in to get stoked about all the lovely kit you could own. I certainly try to pop in from time to time to encourage saving my pennies to buy a decent bike. \n\nI think they also do kit rental if you're not sure what you want to buy. \n\nThey are also a shop that gets involved. They run swimming sessions in lochs regularly through the summer helping people get used to open water swimming. They also sponsored and ran a race at dunbar in the scottish cyclocross series which was a triumph. It was an absolutely brilliant course and provided hundreds of people a fantastic day out. \n\nAll in all I recommend checking them out. Remember with a specialist shop or your LBS  you get much more than just what you're buying. You get advice, an experience, and usually - much less hassle if something breaks or needs to be returned. You'd miss them if they weren't there!