The Apollo is gone

[flyingfish]

I have a Claude butler urban 200. had 6 trouble free months riding. I found out this week that the 2013 bikes are of a higher spec than the 2014 models
Pete

 

[dee.jay]

I think I'll be very happy with it, but I'll have to see tomorrow which one I get and how much I'm allowed to spend...........

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Silly muppet! What made you go there in the 1st place.

I purchased a bike once from halfords. Being an even sillier muppet I took it back several times due to a persistant rear wheel problem. It was a Carrera Valour if I remember rightly. I did get it refunded in the end but not without much arguing with the shop and having to take it directly to the manager and all that carp.
Being an even sillier muppet, I still purchased the odd bits n pieces I thought couldnt possibly go wrong. Fair enough I hade a few spare tubes which were ok. BUT I was cycling along one night when the front headlight fell off and smashed on the road. I also had a dual piston foot pump from halfords. I would have thought having an extra piston would make short work of filling a tyre with air but I literally had to jump on the thing and still couldnt get much past 30 PSI or so. freaking rubbish!

Do pretty good hand tools, I have a half inch ratchet that must be nearly quarter of a century old.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Yeah I hated it on my Apollo. I want lockout or not at all.

I love my lock out! It's my best friend

 

[ScotiaLass]

Do shop around!
My LBS only had a few hybrids and they didn't have full mud guards etc included and were starting at £350, which was the top end of my budget.
I shopped around online and got my Dawes hybrid, with rack, mudguards etc, for £280, free delivery.
I did buy my Specialized MTB from my LBS. It was the same price as online...I don't mind a few pounds difference but if it's a lot, I have to go for the cheaper option due to my finances!

 

[flyingfish]

Mine was 300 at lbs with a good set up & first service. After sales advice & extras have been good too

 

[dee.jay]

Picking up my Explorer 100 after! Didn't mind paying 329 to them, good store

 

[albion]

The chain fell off and the gears are due the usual cable stretch adjustment.

On-line sellers would have had you for breakfast.

 

[dee.jay]

Got it. Will not buy another Halfords bike.

345 bought the bike, gloves, bottle and holder too. Very pleased.

Oh and service included in a few weeks too.

Also I think this is an 18" frame - the 17" was a bit small. Massive difference in quality between this and the apollo - as you'd expect. The skinny tyres are nice too.

 

[DannyCFC]

The brains of the outfit have just done a 54 mile towpath ride on our Apollos. If you get lucky and have a good person set them up they're ok to get you started. We've probably done 600 miles since we got them, and I didn't expect them to last this long but they're fine.

We're definitely going for something better from somewhere else next year all the same.

 

[dee.jay]

£329 seems expensive for the Claude Butler Explorer 100 as RRP is £269.99.

This is my bike

http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-hybrid/b2773

Now I'm not sure what the difference is. I paid the RRP according to that link, so I am more than happy.

 

[dee.jay]

Oh absolutely, I appreciate I could have gotten it cheaper, but I was happy to pay the extra and have it immediately and get it fitted etc.

 

[Lilliburlero]

Oh absolutely, I appreciate I could have gotten it cheaper, but I was happy to pay the extra and have it immediately and get it fitted etc.

Thought so

Now get out there and enjoy it

 

[dee.jay]

I put 5 miles onto it straight away this afternoon

Would have done more but been a busy afternoon and I'm at work now.

 

[si_c]

I put 5 miles onto it straight away this afternoon

Would have done more but been a busy afternoon and I'm at work now.

Weekend now though