Carrera TDF modifications

[t.richards]

Have front ended a Careera TDF - with the front forks beyond repair, and with Halford's telling me I'll be also needing a new headset, and gearshift (front and back); all totaling, purchasing from them, around £370. I've not seen the extent of the damage since these prices quoted to me, but even after a quick google search I can regonise the absurdity of Halfords valuing the damage near enough £70 over the cost of the bike purchased from them. Not to mention my reservations on them defining both - front and rear - gear shifts beyon repair to the extent to charge £119 a piece from them.

What I'm looking for is advice on possible parts, and the best suitability for this bike - most notably front forks; as to be honest I've not much of a clue concerning bike parts. So, possible opportunity to upgrade with forks, I don't want to be spending out a fortune - Halfords' would be charging £107 for like-for-like replacements, but I'd guess that I could get better product for this money else where?

 

[cyberknight]

shifters can be had for £90 for the pair, my LBS charged me £10 to install one with cables +indexing and probably cheaper second hand.
IMHO...
If the forks are that knackered i would take it to another bike shop and get them to check the frame for cracks etc just in case and the front wheel, i am not saying it is but its worth checking.Push comes to shove you could buy a second hand bike of a similar spec for a lot cheaper than the cost of halfords pricing or look at the perrenial CC favourite of the triban 3 from decathlon for £300 new and sell your old bike to get some cash back ?

 

[t.richards]

Hmm - I'm not incline to cash in the bike just yet, as I only purchased it very recently.

When I took the bike into Halfords there was no clear damage to the gear shifts that I could see, so I'm very spepticle to what Halfords are saying until I go in a see the bike, and what they are pointing too myself.

In any case, I certainly won't be purchasing these parts from Halfords - on basis of clear costs they valuing said parts at, the relative costs seen from a quick google search, and the fact I really don't want to give Halfords any more of my custom (have been far from impressed with the customer service in my local store.)

The damage to the forks was clear, but no damage was seen at the time from my viewing, or from Halfords to the front wheel itself - so I am curious on how they assessing any damage that sees them say I need two new gear shifts.

Basically - if you were in my position, and looking for a new set of forks to put on this bike, what sort of forks would you be looking at? Don't wish to be spending a fortune, around the basic entry level that sees a good balance between quality and price.

 

[cyberknight]

If your new to cycling i am guessing you do not have a big selection of tools ?
You can do headset replacement yourself with make do tools but a shop will use a headset press.It all really depends if the shop local to you does not mind you bringing in components from another source to fit to the bike .
If i was personally changing the fork i would go for a carbon model to take some of the road buzz but when shopping around you need to look at your old fork length and try and get something close i would guess.
Found these but do not take it as read that they will fit.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=105891

 

[accountantpete]

Halfords have a very patchy reputation - some staff good some not too knowledgeable. Don't assume you have spoken to one of the good guys!

You should check the headtube on the bike frame - if the forks have been damaged then some force will have been applied to this area.

I would also just replace the forks and headest - it's a bit tricky for the inexperienced but not impossible to do it yourself. otherwise go to your LBS rather than Halfords and get the job done there.

 

[t.richards]

Well, my local Halfords (Newport, IW), I'd rank very low from all my experiences. When I first went to collect the bike I ended up having to come back the next day as the mechanic had over-tightened and shredded a thread of some sort. This happened early afternoon apparently, and at time of collection (5pm ish) the mechanic had gone home and hadn't put together a second bike for me. Not to mention the thin spread of staff throughout the store, and non-existent pre-sale customer service in the bike hut - selling hundreds, to thousands of pounds bikes, yet you are not only left to wander around un-noticed, but invariably nobody is around to actually talk to once you want to even talk to someone, let alone buy something. Shall never be letting so much as penny go to Halfords for as long as I can help it.

Thanks for the link there - just trying to read around as much as I can to get an understanding of what I'm looking for, where my money will be going etc.

Will take off the current forks when I get a chance and take a look at things, measure up, and see how they compare with the perspective forks I'll be looking at buying. Should I come to a near final decision I'll no doubt post up in here to get an opinion from some people of more knowledge.

Regarding fitting them, my earlier comments would certainly preclude me going anywhere near Halfords again. I'm inclined to fit them and do the mechanical side of things myself. I've no bike stand, which I'm wary may be a problem?

Thanks for the help guys, have only just started getting to grips with it at the moment after getting bike back from Halfords yesterday. Turns out only the crash impact has only damaged the front brake/gear shift, and the rear is completely undamaged. So their mechanical 'expert' deemed it advisable they I spent two sets of £119 to replace the front, and a undamaged rear gear shifts.

 

[montage]

Forks you can source yourself for £50 ish. It is possible to get carbon forks from China at this price HERE is an example I found on ebay for just under £40.

Newer model Sora LH shifters are £60 ... you can get second hand for much less, say £30.

For a new headset, £20 should do it - or possibly much less second hand or on ebay

 

[cyberknight]

How did you get on?
Just got back from cloudy Hunstanton and thought i would check how your getting on.