Independent or Multi? ''USE US OR LOSE US''

[Barnowl]

Last time I went into Halfords I couldn't find any staff to 'witness'.

Perhaps they were all out the back vandalising the stock.

Halfords bashing at it's best. Made me laugh

To be fair my local branch is OK.

 

[rog_london]

Halfords bashing at it's best. Made me laugh

To be fair my local branch is OK.

It's 'horses for courses', isn't it? Of course, with any multi-branch retail outlet like Halfords, you'll find good ones and bad ones. The local store manager must make a huge difference, and if he gets someone running the bike workshop who is interested in bikes, again it makes a big difference. If you need the workshop, that is. I'd be doing my own TLC, as then I'd know what's been done properly and what has not. Rather like I've always done with motorbikes.

There are good savings to be had at these places if you're patient and selective. 'Proper' bike shops tend to be rather more pricey overall. They can't help that - they need to keep a large stock of high-value bikes and specialized kit for indefinite periods, with probably a peak in sales prior to Christmas, and another peak when the days lengthen and it hopefully gets a bit warmer - and not all that much for the rest of the year.

Rog.

 

[flecc]

Of course, with any multi-branch retail outlet like Halfords, you'll find good ones and bad ones.

Rog.

And they can be both at the same time. My one has a cussed idiot of a manager and a tech man who, unusually for Halfords, really knows his stuff.

As I sometimes post though, available at all good bike shops and Halfords.
.

 

[The Maestro]

I try to support the local independent cycle shops but it's sometimes easier and tempting to stroll into somewhere like Halfords with their decent range and easy car parking to buy stuff I want ....

Halfrauds are rubbish, their range is also rubbish, I went in looking for spokes recently and they dont sell them - cassette tool (of which they stock one), sold out. A good LBS is owrth its weight in gold but they are a bit like builders or plumbers - you really have to get a recommendation so many of them will rip you off.

 

[Mussels]

Halfrauds are rubbish, their range is also rubbish, I went in looking for spokes recently and they dont sell them - cassette tool (of which they stock one), sold out. A good LBS is owrth its weight in gold but they are a bit like builders or plumbers - you really have to get a recommendation so many of them will rip you off.

They certainly sell spokes in my local branch, they didn't have the right ones but then niether did any other bike shop I called.
Some of the stuff Halfords sells is good, I bought an own brand multi tool in there and use it regularly to service my bike - it's a good bit of kit. Unfortunately for most stuff I want there is little choice and a lot of rubbish.
Cassette tools are a specialist part that most people would never want people who do would only ever buy one or two in their lifetime. Couple that with a few different types available and I'm not suprised they didn't have it. When I wanted a freewheel removal tool very few online shops sold the one I needed, I certainly wouldn't expect it to be in stock in an LBS.

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

My Halfords is staffed by muppets who know as much about bikes as I do about astro physics. when I last purchased a bike they said it came with a free check up within a month to check gear alignment etc. Took it for a whiz round the car park and the chain overshifted into rear wheel!!! Car park is covered in glass and there is nowhere to lock a bike. My LBS by contrast is staffed by polite knowledgable people who live to bike. the problem of somewhere to lock your bike is solved by taking it in with you

I definately pay a bit more but at least I get the right product for the right job.

Long live the LBS

 

[Onslow]

My son works in Halfords! He says that some of the staff are knowledgable, but some are just saturday/YTS kids. The problem is that the staff morale is low as for most of them the job is temporary.

It does have it's advantages, as he managed to get me some discount on my Carrera

 

[Mussels]

Took it for a whiz round the car park and the chain overshifted into rear wheel!!!

That happened to me just after I collected my bike when the wheel was repaired by an electric bike specialist.

 

[sustaincycles]

Sustain Cycles

The Harrow address for Sustain Cycles is just our postal address - not an actual bike shop - but I 'm sure you've already discovered this for yourself!

We are an electric bike e-tailer - so we sell mail order via our web site. We will be adding to our range of electric bikes over the coming months. We are also in discussion with a number of bricks and mortar shops, where you would be able to try the bikes out before making a purchase. Hope that clears up any confusion as to our location.

- Not had many dealings with Halfords - but they must be doing something right as they're still in business!

Dave - Sustain Cycles - affordable electric bikes - latest lithium ion

 

[flecc]

- Not had many dealings with Halfords - but they must be doing something right as they're still in business!

The world seems to have an endless supply of willing victims.
.

 

[sustaincycles]

We always recommend to our customers that they visit a local independent and get to know them, useful for future servicing - good old fashioned quality and service - which is a rather hit or miss experience with Halfords.

Dave.

 

[Sector]

Plug for Bob Warner Cycles Leicester

Here is an opportunity to recommend Bob Warner Cycles in Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester.

Bob is well known locally for specialising in spoked wheels. He didn't flinch at all when I took in a 20in E-Bike back wheel with short spokes and a Nexus hub gear. He re-spoked with thicker 12g spokes instead of the original 13g, drilling the rim holes out to suit. He cut down and threaded spokes to suit. He also does sports car and vintage car spoked wheels, so I don't think any E-bike wheel would be a problem for him.

A very small and cluttered shop, reminiscent of a previous age, but very highly recommended.

 

[flecc]

Here is an opportunity to recommend Bob Warner Cycles in Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester.

Thanks Sector, I've entered him on our Dealers Map

Click on foot of the list.
.