Tyres

[rh100]

Would your boss offer a cycle to work scheme? Also, I hate to suggest it but could you get one on credit somewhere?

I had a steel MTB from halfords and kept chucking money at it but eventually bought a second hand Trek hybrid off ebay, thinking that with a decent frame i can at least change the other bits as i go along. The combination of an alluminium frame and thin road tyres makes all the difference.

have a look at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html for some help with the gears - but Halfords really need to sort this out or refund IMO. edit: i find these adjustments a bit hit and miss myself being a newbie - but someone in know how might be able to talk you through it.

As for a local bike shop - might be a bit far afield but Red Kite or Scott Cycles are good. Phone ahead if your taking the bike with you though.

 

[mrs fry]

Would your boss offer a cycle to work scheme? Also, I hate to suggest it but could you get one on credit somewhere?

I had a steel MTB from halfords and kept chucking money at it but eventually bought a second hand Trek hybrid off ebay, thinking that with a decent frame i can at least change the other bits as i go along. The combination of an alluminium frame and thin road tyres makes all the difference.

have a look at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html for some help with the gears - but Halfords really need to sort this out or refund IMO.

As for a local bike shop - might be a bit far afield but Red Kite or Scott Cycles are good. Phone ahead if your taking the bike with you though.

No scheme because I'm the only person out of over 700 employees that cycles to work. I'm dreading the rest of the week. But I'll have to deal for now. Thanks for the help.

 

[mrs fry]

Do you think if I protested about the faults I've had and how unhappy I am, they'll give a refund?

 

[rh100]

Give it a go - be persistent, talk to the manager etc.

 

[mcshroom]

Just remember to be noisy and sound angry and confident (hopefully when lots of other people are in the shop). It's amazing what staff will do to stop you causing a fuss in front of other customers

If you do want to get a different bike, you could always put a wanted out for an old bike on freecycle, or as a friend of mine used to do, stand next to the metal recycling point at the local dump on a Saturday and ask anyone throwing away a bike you like to look of whether you can have it. Worked for him

 

[just4fun]

If needed I have 'continental sports contact' slick tyres for a mountain bike which i hardly used they are sitting in my shed collecting dust. if you feel comfortable to let me know your address i can post these to you. it will cost about about 5-10 quid to get them fitted on at your local bike shop. I would say do them yourself but I found them impossible to get back on my bike after removing them to go off road. Let the bike shop person struggle! They have done less than 100 miles so are in good condition.
They arent a miricle cure buy any stretch but they woud be an improvment.

edit:
they are these so you knwo what i mean
http://www.highonbikes.com/continental-sport-contact-mtb-road-tyre.html