The horrors of buying a new bike

[tonyw]

After reading some horror stories about a certain bike sales persons i had to add this just to hope it may stop someone else making the same mistakes. I recently decided to start cycling again after a large time out. In this time bikes have changed dramatically after shopping around i quite liked the carrera range from halfords and bought a kraken, now this is not the bad part the bike has hydraulic disc brakes and suspension and for a lot less than some entry level bikes when working right is a dream BUT the problem is set up in 2 months it been back 3 times for set up problems we were talked into a maintanance package costing 40 pounds.First time out the shop headset wasnt tightened up got as far as car park and went back,second time pedals were loose as a matter of principle took it back again, now its been back for a fluid leak and front brake bleeding,guess what it still isn't right the suspension now feels terrible on harder settings the brakes which once could be operated with 1 finger are now a chore to use. please please by all means look at the bikes but do not be conned into paying extra for a service package that isn't worth paper it printed on. Will be dropping by my local bike shop tommorrow to get it all set up properly

 

[aces_up1504]

From what it seems and some of the stories on here, it sums halfords up pretty well.

A good range of welll priced bikes, but it is a lottery store to store wether the "mechanics" are capable or not. If I am honest the stories around bad workmanship was what sent me to a LBS to buy a new bike. It may have cost more but at least i got the right advice for what i needed and knew it would be put togther properly.

 

[Cubist]

All the more incentive to learn to do it yourself. I know some folk don't have the time or the inclination, but if thinking it was all very complicated is what's putting you off, then take the plunge. If I'm riding my bike down some steep rocky chute I want to know that it's been set up and maintained by someone who has a bit of an idea how to do it, not some spotty 'Erbert trained to assemble kids' bikes for Christmas.

 

[Shortmember]

Over the years I have bought several Carrera bikes from Halfords and, although they are good value for money, I have become accustomed to rectifying small faults on them.Things like gears that don't change smoothly and headsets that are too tight,or loose,seem to be common faults, but so far nothing that can't be fixed easily with the aid of a bicycle maintenance manual.In my experience if you buy a bargain priced bike from Halfords be prepared to do some fine tuning at home to get it set up and running correctly.

 

[Richard Ball]

I don't think poor service is limited to just halfords! I've had some of the worst customer service ever in cycle surgery!

 

[uclown2002]

I've had stellar service from my local halfords store and conversely a rather unpleasant experience from the one time I set foot in another LBS!

 

[tonyw]

Thanks all for the advice, maintanance package was for 12 months,but i think someone hit it on the head.....so i have picked up some good quality bike repair and explanation manuals and a set of tools and intend to teach myself more as the technology used has changed so much now its quite diffrent from last time i rode regulary(about 12 years ago) and as a footnote our local decathlon has now closed but while it was there it was a good sorce of information and reasonablly priced spares. But i will be visiting my LBS later this week for some advice on set up . thanks al

 

[Alan57]

There are some great sites for bike maintenance also ,l check out You Tube for lots of videos on maintaining a bike, you`ll soon sort out the good stuff on You Tube.
Check out these http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/workshops
http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/ http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

 

[tonyw]

thanks for that never gave utube a thought and will check out links tommorrow ....as footnote bike appears to be set up better now suspension feels right so does the brakes will find out tommorrow morning on a ride to clent hills weather permitting

 

[monkeylc]

The Man........

http://www.jimlangley.net/sitemap303.html

 

[Falwheeler]

It's such a shame, buying a new bike should be an eagerly anticipated joy, not a horror. I must say I've only had good experiences when buying new bikes from two LBS including a free first service.

 

[Ladytrucker]

My friend's nephew got a job in Halfords "bike hut" while he is at Uni only because he rides and knows how to fix his own bike !

 

[Brandane]

My friend's nephew got a job in Halfords "bike hut" while he is at Uni only because he rides and knows how to fix his own bike !

Sounds like he's much better qualified than some of his co-workers then.

 

[tonyw]

some really good advice here given me a lot to think about and thank you all for this advice.