First road bike = epic mistake

13

Comments

  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    Do we know what Halford's response to the OP was yet?
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • chiark
    chiark Posts: 335
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Do we know what Halford's response to the OP was yet?
    Hey! Who wants the only meaningful, sensible post to appear when there's a whole load of armchair speculation to be getting on with in the meantime?

    For shame, Peddle Up. For shame...
    Synapse Alloy 105 / Rock Lobster Tig Team Sl
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    chiark wrote:
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Do we know what Halford's response to the OP was yet?
    Hey! Who wants the only meaningful, sensible post to appear when there's a whole load of armchair speculation to be getting on with in the meantime?

    For shame, Peddle Up. For shame...

    Hanging my head as I type... :oops:
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    chiark wrote:
    Peddle Up! wrote:
    Do we know what Halford's response to the OP was yet?
    Hey! Who wants the only meaningful, sensible post to appear when there's a whole load of armchair speculation to be getting on with in the meantime?

    For shame, Peddle Up. For shame...

    On that basis what is the point of this thread? Or the internet?! If you don't like pointless speculation, why are you here? :wink:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • chiark
    chiark Posts: 335
    For the cake.
    Synapse Alloy 105 / Rock Lobster Tig Team Sl
  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    rafletcher wrote:
    morstar wrote:
    To the last two posters, may I suggest you ignore the fact the guy has gne straight into an 85 mile ride. That may or may not be a stupid thing to do but it is a side issue to the actual question.

    A road bike novice has entered a well known retailer and tried to buy a road bike. It transpires that the bike is too small. Question, is the product fit for purpose? I think, clearly it isn't, you've been mis-sold in my mind.

    Of course it's "fit for purpose" It's a cycle and it can be cycled. purchasing something too small is the buyers fault. You wouldn't claim a cost that turned out too small wasn't "fit for purpose" - it's still a coat.

    The OP has learned a hard lesson - and he's no tyro, hee's been riding MTB's for while over significant distances. He screwed up, plain and simple. If he wanted good advice from a cycle retailer he could readily have found thet the opinion of halfords on here and other cycling fora is crap and chosen to go to a local specialist, not a bike supermarket.


    You cannot compare buying a bike with buying a coat especially if the purchaser is inexperienced in road bikes. That is why M&S don't need to advise on coats and why Halfords think they can advise on bike fittings.
  • lvquestpaddler
    lvquestpaddler Posts: 416
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rowdykittens/3805663979/

    This must be the OP...how could he ever have known?? :lol:
  • gixernick
    gixernick Posts: 180
    I have a similar problem with Halfords decided to buy a Carrera TDF through the cycle to work scheme after loads of research. So I finally ordered a large-58cm for my 6'6" frame. Went to collect it today and asked the lad that served me can you show me how it all works and set it up please, the least I expected for spending £300. No sorry I don't know how. So I've got it home and tried to set it up, only to find it's a 54cm. I rang them straight back to be told yes 54 is a large. Nope, says I, I'm looking at your website and it says large is 58cm which is what I reserved online. Oh we don't do the TDF in a 58 cm.
    I've complained bitterly and I'm due to see the manager tomorrow to see what she can do. Apparently the bike I ordered doesn't come in 58cm and the next one that does is a £650 Boardman!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    To be fair - if you're 6 foot 6 - any bike described as large isn't going to fit you.

    I'm 6 inches shorter than you and the large may be too small for me even.
  • gixernick
    gixernick Posts: 180
    The Boardman is calle XL though its a 57.5 and Carrera call large any where between 54 and 58. Very confusing.
    My mountain bike is a Giant Trance X3 in XL which 23" equating to 57.5, hence why I thought a 58 cm road bike would be ideal.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    And Halfords do quite clearly list a 58 Carrera TDF and call it large.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • gixernick
    gixernick Posts: 180
    This is my point and they state this may be a mistake though they're not quite sure why it's listed as a 58cm. I'll see what they can offer tomorrow. Bit difficult as it's on a cycle to work voucher, to complicate matters.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    gixernick wrote:
    This is my point and they state this may be a mistake though they're not quite sure why it's listed as a 58cm. I'll see what they can offer tomorrow. Bit difficult as it's on a cycle to work voucher, to complicate matters.

    I wonder if the CTW voucher might actually help you (possibly) as it's a lease & credit agreement so CTW should be helping you.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    No doubt in your case - the bike is not what you ordered - you ordered a bike advertised as 58cm and they gave you a 54. The CTW is a complication but you are certainly entitled to return the bike and cancel the deal.

    Dont know where that would leave you regarding finding a bike that fits if they dont do it in your size - but I assume you could get a CTW voucher to go somewhere else for a similar bike.
  • gixernick
    gixernick Posts: 180
    Sadly my companies scheme only applies to Halfords, I'm hoping we can come to an arrangement over the Boardmans price.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    gixernick wrote:
    Sadly my companies scheme only applies to Halfords, I'm hoping we can come to an arrangement over the Boardmans price.

    I'd read (I'd thought) that Halfords can source other bikes (than those that they normally stock) too
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • merak
    merak Posts: 323
    If Halfords manager insists that they market the 54cm as large (which they certainly don't do on-line) I'd say she's in violation of the trade descriptions act :D . No way could you describe a 54cm nominal size frame as large.

    Maybe the manager is looking at this sizing chart which is obviously aimed at mtb (but which road bikes link to). http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... &width=787

    Their website is clear they have a 58cm (54cm would be an incredibly small maximum size for a model).

    Halfords :roll:
  • trooperk
    trooperk Posts: 189
    Like most budget bike sellers, the choice of size is always less and the large Carrera is a compact 54cm, what Halfords means it’s 54-58 large size frame is that you can just about to ride the bike with the saddle all the way up if you normally ride a 58cm frame so be warned.
    Specialized-The clitoris of bikes.
  • merak
    merak Posts: 323
    trooperk wrote:
    Like most budget bike sellers, the choice of size is always less and the large Carrera is a compact 54cm, what Halfords means it’s 54-58 large size frame is that you can just about to ride the bike with the saddle all the way up if you normally ride a 58cm frame so be warned.
    How do you know this? That's not what it says on their website. It clearly says that there is a medium 54cm frame and a large 58cm frame. No-one could sensibly describe a nominal (ie seatpost measured to where a hoizontal TT meets it) 54cm frame as large. The website also says this about the 54cm: "Medium: Bottom bracket to top tube = 48.5cm which is equivalent to our standard 54cm frame."; and about the 58cm: "Large: Bottom bracket to top tupe = 51cm which is equivalent to our standard 58cm frame.".
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    trooperk wrote:
    Like most budget bike sellers, the choice of size is always less and the large Carrera is a compact 54cm, what Halfords means it’s 54-58 large size frame is that you can just about to ride the bike with the saddle all the way up if you normally ride a 58cm frame so be warned.

    Why do you presume the gixernick is wrong without bothering to check what Halfords list? It isn't difficult! I can post a screenshot if you like!

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710
    Faster than a tent.......
  • west green
    west green Posts: 134
    I hope someone from Halfords gets wind of this thread, and actually cares about there reputation.
  • dabber
    dabber Posts: 1,978
    If the bike had been bought mail-order then I thnk the OP has more of a case... actual sizing versus description.
    However, having bought from within the store when there was an opportunity to sit on/try out the sizing the OP has clearly some responsibility on what he he has ended up with.
    “You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”

    Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut
  • cyberknight
    cyberknight Posts: 1,238
    You have to remember virtual and real bike sizing, my medium virtuoso has a 19 " sticker on it but works out at a virtual seat tube of 54 cm = 21.5 "( i think) .
    My boardman is a small and yet has the same length top tube but the seattube is not as sloped so i have a lot less seatpost showing.

    If you can get the saddle at the right height+setback then the most important measurement is your reach , toptube and stem length for a comfortable ride.

    Did the OP do a proper bike set up before he /she rode it ? a lot of the symptoms sound like bad fitting that could manifest themselves even on a right sized bike .

    This is useful..

    http://www.caree.org/bike101bikefit.htm

    http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

    Is Halfords at fault?, if the Seat height was right and the reach was close then the bike may fit and as the OP stated he is not used to riding a road bike and it can give you aches till you are used to riding it.
    As others have stated you can generally tell if a bike feels wrong but if your not used to riding it then you will not know what feels right.
    It took me a good 2-3 weeks to get my position right on my new bike as it had a different saddle and geometry that meant i could not directly transfer my old set up, until then i had road buzz in my hands and shoulder ache.Once it was right i have done 2 club runs and still felt comfortable after a good 4 hours on the road.

    Take it back to the shop and ask them to set it up for you before you decide whther it has been miss sold .
    FCN 3/5/9
  • gixernick
    gixernick Posts: 180
    For my situation they're going to ring round on Tuesday to see if they can find an alternative.
  • henryw
    henryw Posts: 20
    Finally took the bike back to Halfrauds and got a refund.

    I took the bike back to my local store, they told me they couldn't take it back because it's not a bike they have in stock.

    So I jumped on the train to another Halfords. The guys there were very, very helpful. They measured the bike and informed me that there's some kind of discrepancy in Halford's sizing, and even though I bought a "large" bike listed at 21-22", the largest size the Virtuoso comes in is in fact 20". The helpful chap told me that the bike simply wasn't suitable for me, and that I should be entitled to a full refund. However, he said that only the store where I bought the bike could issue the refund, because the bike's now considered second hand.

    Finally, I returned to the original store, which is miles away. The manager was originally just going to replace the bike, but after I explained distance selling regulations and how damn unhappy I was with Halfords he gave me a full refund.

    I'm so glad this whole escapade is over. I'm never, ever going to buy a bike in Halfords ever again. I've heard Sports Direct's bikes are pretty good though, I'll try there next. :wink:

    Thanks for all the advice by the way, and I realise that I'm equally culpable in this. I just assumed large guy + large bike = cycling happiness. Not so, unfortunately.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    henryw wrote:
    I'm so glad this whole escapade is over. I'm never, ever going to buy a bike in Halfords ever again. I've heard Sports Direct's bikes are pretty good though, I'll try there next. :wink:

    Just to check - you are being ironic aren't you :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • gixernick
    gixernick Posts: 180
    Glad you're sorted I'm still waiting while they decide what they're going to do about it.
  • HebdenBiker
    HebdenBiker Posts: 787
    henryw wrote:
    Finally took the bike back to Halfrauds and got a refund.

    I took the bike back to my local store, they told me they couldn't take it back because it's not a bike they have in stock.

    So I jumped on the train to another Halfords. The guys there were very, very helpful. They measured the bike and informed me that there's some kind of discrepancy in Halford's sizing, and even though I bought a "large" bike listed at 21-22", the largest size the Virtuoso comes in is in fact 20". The helpful chap told me that the bike simply wasn't suitable for me, and that I should be entitled to a full refund. However, he said that only the store where I bought the bike could issue the refund, because the bike's now considered second hand.

    Finally, I returned to the original store, which is miles away. The manager was originally just going to replace the bike, but after I explained distance selling regulations and how damn unhappy I was with Halfords he gave me a full refund.

    I'm so glad this whole escapade is over. I'm never, ever going to buy a bike in Halfords ever again. I've heard Sports Direct's bikes are pretty good though, I'll try there next. :wink:

    Thanks for all the advice by the way, and I realise that I'm equally culpable in this. I just assumed large guy + large bike = cycling happiness. Not so, unfortunately.

    Good result mate - well done.

    If you're still looking for a bike on a budget, try Decathlon. And get a test ride first :wink::D
    My Blog
  • henryw
    henryw Posts: 20
    Just to check - you are being ironic aren't you

    Of course! :D:wink:
  • henryw
    henryw Posts: 20
    @gixernick

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had this problem. You've got every right to get a refund and go to a real bike shop.

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