Bikes built by Wiggle and Other Questions

andywgg

Have now narrowed my search for a new "do it all" winter/tourer/out with the kids bike to a cyclocross bit, and I think we're talking a Planet x Uncle John or a Kinesis Crosslight. The Uncle John comes as a 105 compact double at £799 (which I can potentially get through bike-to-work so actually under £500 - although I'd have to wait a while), the Kinesis is £890 ready built as a compact 105, or I can specify what I want (I am still thinking a triple might be best for touring) and get a Kinesis built up by Wiggle including 'guards for £850 or so.

Now if the bike to work thing works I should theoretically be able to get either the Planet X or the Kinesis built up bike (Halford's say they can get any bike), so that kind of kicks out the Wiggle option, but if that isn't available I'd be interested in people's opinion of "Wiggle built" bikes as without the BTW scheme that gives me exactly what I think I need.

Also, has anyone used the Halford's scheme to get something they don't stock? How long does it take and how easy is it?

Ta

Anonymous

I used to work for Halfords. Don't bother. Takes far longer than with an IBD as it has to go through spurious routes. Plus the fact that most of them don't know their arses from their elbows. Can't beat a local bike shop.

rdaviesb

My experience at Halfords was much better, ordering a Dahon Mu XL, which arrived three days later, and was properly put together.

andywgg

I've read some very mixed reports about halfords bike to work schemes, but a 40% saving is a 40% saving, and if it's just a case of the bike turning up there and them handing it over I'm not sure what they have to do with it.

I've emailed them and asked if I can specify the shop it comes from - a mate got one from Paul Milne's, but as that's the only place it COULD come from he knew exactly what he was getting!

brit66

Can't comment on Halfords, but regarding Wiggle, I bought a road bike from them last year and have no complaints. The order tuned up promptly, and although I had their standard week grace period of trying it and then returning it if I didn't like it, I decided to keep it.

I reckon they offer very good value for money compared with most established brands.

NB. even after a 'build' you might still need to do some tinkering to get things just right.

andywgg

Cheers brit66 - was this a wiggle build or an "off the shelf" jobby?

brit66

andywgg
The bike was off-the-shelf aside from a stem and crank change (not sure if get their bikes shipped as components and build them up? I suspect not).

As a specialist bike dealer you'd expect them to have a fairly high degree of expertise, whereas Halfords is likely to be more hit-and-miss.

I'd advise going to a reputable LBS or an online Wiggle-type specialist - there are loads out there.

Cheers.

andywgg

We have to go to Halfords to get the bike through the scheme - but Halfords say they'll source a bike from anywhere - so not entirely sure how they make their money!