£927.98

[ratty2k]

While not strictly a touring bike, I do plan to do some light (er) type tours on it. Something along the lines of the Trans Pennine trail and possibly the C2C. Its certainly comfy enough, Brant recommends that it has enough clearance on the rear for a Conti Twister CX tyre 32mm wide- I'm running some Premato's 34mm wide. No rubbing, lots of air volume to cushion the worst of the roads (now a continuation of potholes seemingly!) Strong enough to carry me at 17st along a reasonably rough track and canalpath.

So, for the short version- Yes & Yes!

 

[Zoiders]

Not entirely so, yes the service is crap, I would never let them touch my bike as I know I am a better mechanic than they

You can order stuff that isnt in store though, Kona do some pretty tasty cross bikes and the like right now and Halfords are a Kona dealer

Edit - sorry chaps, meant to reply to regulator, confusin aplenty

 

[papercorn2000]

Hmmmm, was looking at the Halfwits Gryphon as a commuting bike but for a wee bit more, that Boardman one looks great!

 

[MarkF]

Weird, I tried one last top class telephone moan this morning and my insurers gave in. The Halfords credit note is now cancelled and I have a cheque for £700 on it's way to spend however I want.

I never felt comfortable with Halfords as they lied through their teeth on the phone to me, telling me they too had to buy the bikes at RRP, what are they on? The £227 difference was, of course, the discount Halfords were offering my insurers.

 

[alfablue]

Hey, well done MarkE!

 

[bonj2]

Mark, it might be time for you to think about switching to another more cooperative insurer so you don't have this palaver in future. Certainly if you wouldn't mind revealing which company it is so I for one can steer clear?

 

[alfablue]

I don't think this company is unusual, you just need to haggle for what you want. MAny companies use Wheelies to settle claims, like this one used Halfords. I have usually managed insurers to toe the line (experience in car insurance claims - not had a cycle claim yet) with robust handling.

 

[MarkF]

Mark, it might be time for you to think about switching to another more cooperative insurer so you don't have this palaver in future. Certainly if you wouldn't mind revealing which company it is so I for one can steer clear?

Churchills.

The thing is I crashed my car just before my bikes were stolen and the service I received from them was good. I wonder if 2 claims on a home and motor policy with them, within days of each other made them a little unco-operative? The claims were genuine, I've never claimed before, but what a hassle they put me through.

I'll be giving my business to an LBS and feel relieved about that.

 

[cyclebum]

Do you only have 1 Halfords in your area. I bought my Carrera (have to say I love it!) at a different Halfords to either of my more local ones. I couldn't take it immediatley as it was shop model and needed rebuilding properly. 2 days later I picked it up and couldnt wait to try it out and was totally disppointed as everything felt wrong, gears breaks, handlebar position etc.. I popped into my most local branch to see if I could take it into them and found I had struck gold. The store manager comes from a cycle specialist family and has in the past owned her own business. All her Bikehut staff are employed for their own love of bikes and undergo regular training. It turned out that my bike had not been touched in those 2 days and had to be rebuilt for me. Luckily I had only tested it down a cycle path!! I pop in now and then for any adjustments and they never charge and are always helpful (yes these places do exist) so maybe it is worth trying out a couple of branches?