LBS better than Halfords/on-line? Yeah right!!!
Sparetyre
Posts: 28
<i></i>I must just be unlucky with the area I live in when it comes to the quality of my local LBS. I live in Reading and there are 3 that I know of. 1 in town with a manager who really couldn't look less interested in you if he tried. Another on Wokingham road who we bought my son's Trek from. When we rang to book it in for it's free service after 5 months, even though we told them it had only had a few weeks of use and we were aware that it was a 6 week service they refused to do it for nothing and when pushed they said it wouldn't need anything doing if it had only had a few weeks of use!!!! Why offer the service at all then????? The other shop in Caversham is a much more professional set-up but to be honest, I don't like going in there as I always feel intimidated. They are a serious outfit who have a very strong race team. Say what you like about Halfords and I know they can be frustrating from experience but at least you get what you expect. I know their choice is not as good as others but I would buy from them if I found what I wanted or better still, go for the deals on-line.
Why do I know most people will disagree with me?!?
:0( ;0)
Why do I know most people will disagree with me?!?
:0( ;0)
:0( ;0)
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Cos a shop that has a rerious race team will generally be happy that someone else loves bikes, or wants to get into riding. They have a psssion and want to share it, otherwise they wouldn't work there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/0 -
I'd go to the shop with the serious race team, at least they'd know what kit works and what doesn't!
<center><font color="black">A</font id="black"> <font color="red">red</font id="red"> <font color="black">Aireal Symetech XC rear hub!</font id="black"> <font color="black">Aireal EV-2 headset!</font id="black"> <font color="black">A</font id="black"> <font color="blue">blue</font id="blue"> <font color="black">Aireal Symetech hub!</font id="black"></center>
<center><font color="orange">AIREAL AUSTRALIA</font id="orange"></center>
<center>[:)] [:D] [8D] [:I] [:p] [}:)] [;)] [:o)] [B)] [8] [:(] [8)] [:0] [:(!] [xx(] [|)] [:X] [^] [V] [?]</center>Rule 64:
Cornering confidence generally increases with time and experience. This pattern continues until it falls sharply and suddenly.
http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/0 -
Most 'free services' are only very basic and are just to adjust stretched cables / make sure everything is tight.
I think most shops insist you take this up within 3 or 4 weeks; so going back after 5 months is a bit cheaky! (Even if you havn't used the bike much).0 -
60 days is the longest term free service I know of, so yeah, 5 months is pushing it a bit. We recommend around 60 days or after 200 miles, whichever happens first.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/0 -
Is the serious shop AW Cycles? (this one)
I've only been there once, when I bought my Pace forks, as it's not exactly an LBS for me being about an hours drive.
They seemed pretty good. Although it was very very busy - it was a Sunday in the purple patch of weather we had in spring though.
Perservere with them and trying going in at a time when they're not busy. No need to feel intimidated - they won't expect everyone who comes through the door to be a racer or maintenance expert.
Updated pics:
Giant Anthem
Bianchi Via Nirone
Kona Lava Dome - no more :-(0 -
I also live in Reading. Use Trail Junkies real friendly approachable guys and you will get a good service.
Halfords is awful.0 -
hmm i agree, keep pushing them, once they see your someone who is actually interested in bikes and values your opinion they should come round quickly, if not...CRC are wonderful i admit!
remember they can't tell whos just gonna bugger off down asda and buy the "same" bike for for squids, although that shouldn't matter really I know
Insert random comment here.....
(cindercone, 02)We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
I've always been underwhelmed by my LBS experiences and I've had a lot of LBSs over the years.
My bike has never come back from a service, etc without some kind of problem, mostly minor but sometimes pretty major. I've given up now and rely on my own skills (cough) and those of my mates.
I too have been intimidated by staff who seem to start from the assumption that I know nothing.
I've also come across staff whose only role seems to be to sell you the most expensive item in the shop and have shown no interest in your actual needs.
I have this theory that bike fanatics simply do not on the whole make particualrly good retailers but it could just be me...0 -
Sparetyre,
Streatley isn't too far away from Reading. Just outside Streatley, on the A417 to Wantage, there's a bike shop called Trail Junkies:
http://www.trailjunkies.com/
I defy you to go there and get either intimidated or poor service. You will be very happy. Let me also clarify; I don't work for them, or have any connection to them. I had months of similar complaints about by closest LBS's, and when I eventually found TJ, it was a completely different experience.
(Sorry Boscher, just saw your post, although it is in direct agreement I guess!)
GT Avalanche Expert 20060 -
I'm very lucky - my LBS is Roy Pink Cycles in ewport Pagnell - service is second to none (I know his eldest son)<i><b>Commute - you might even enjoy it!</b></i>0
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We used to get bikes in for their first free service after the warranty had gone! or very close to it. People also need to be aware that many components take a while to settle, and may need readjusting. This is why it sometimes seems things are going wrong, when in fact its perfectly normal.0
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Oooh, colour in sig!0
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I bought a Trek from LBS and they told me to bring it back after four weeks for a free check/service and again before it was twelve months for a free service. I did both of these and took it back inbetween with a brake niggle which they fixed in a matter of minutes.0
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The one in Cavesham I presume you are talking about is AW?
They are fairly good, not very cheap, but when I lived up that way I used them. And they took Capital Bonds so all bike stuff was free for me
Could try Mountain Trax? They have been pretty good.0 -
