bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2288
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I know that part of this post will not be news but ive just been to two 'bike retailers' - Halfrauds bikehut at Hedge End and 'Cycle World'(laughable). Both had 10 speed road bikes one supplying both shimano and campag models. Neither had either a shimano or campag connecting pin for a 10 speed chain - what a joke right?? Get this neither had a shimano or Campag 10 speed chain either!!!!!! What a totally crap excuse for a bike retailer. The guy in Halfrauds didnt even know what a connector pin was !
Rant over but surely if they sell bikes equipped with the gear they should stock simple service items too? Only went to these places because it was a last minute thing and no time to get to Hargroves. Waisted trip-arse. 
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
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Rant away BOSH, name and shame all useless shops, warn others away, my pet hate is J.E James...why show items discontinued, out of stock months ago or worse still shown as in stock but a week after you order something you get an email saying "sorry out of stock" but the web site still says otherwise! The number of times I googled a cassette, mech or whatever and seen them coming up with a great price only to be left in the lurch...too often to bother with them now!
For basics I tend to keep a box of tubes, new chain, all the old chains that are half decent, some sram powerlinks, spare cables, brake blocks,couple of tyres,spare cleats and assorted nuts and bolts!! Just spend £50 on a collection of bits and top up when needed...ok I live in the sticks, miles from a bike shop but I think it's good policy no matter where you are because stuff always breaks on a saturday evening when Sundays weather forecast is perfect!!!
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I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
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bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2288
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I indeed have such a box but im all too helpful allowing chums to dip it too that i have run out of the above items without realising it! Oh well.
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
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I get fishermen calling round wanting their waders patched because I have a puncture repair kit!!! You shouldn't tell folk you're helpful...you worked so hard for your reputation!!
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I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
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bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2288
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True screw em!
How EXACTLY soes it benefit me to help you?
Will be my mantra.
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wuverley
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 4046
Loc: Man of Kent
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Getting an eight speed chain without special joining links or pins seems to be damn near impossible at the moment. I may visit Halfords, perhaps they'll have what I want.
I own a chain tool, which is easy to operate, why do I need special links?
Bigold, you are constantly surprising.
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Invicta
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hubbub
Reged: 22/10/2007
Posts: 813
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You need a special link because the modern chains have the pin "peened". The ends of the pin are flattened to retain the outer plate, so if you knock the pin out with old faithful chain tool that pin is knackered and can't be guaranteed to retain the plate when you put it back together. Yes it's crap but that's progress..... 
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wuverley
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 4046
Loc: Man of Kent
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Thanks, hubbub, but I dont get it, joining chains aint difficult, a chain tool and fingers will do it easily.
But if we need special links etc, then so it must be.
Are peened pins really any more reliable? Or just a marketing thing. Flat topped pins seemed to work fine for 100 plus years.
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Invicta
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hubbub
Reged: 22/10/2007
Posts: 813
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I agree with you, but the manufacturers don't The good news is that SRAM 8 and 9 speed links are dead easy to use/re-use, the bad news is their 10 speed offering is 1 time only.
What's that other chain firm, KMC? - their 10 speed links are re-usable but I haven't got round to trying one yet.
Edited by hubbub (30/10/2008 00:30)
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cheninblancrcruise63
Reged: 27/03/2007
Posts: 956
Loc: Consett
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Just had crap service at ActicCycles in Corbridge - ordered Felt Hybrid beauty through Bike to work scheme from them, picked up voucher, rang to organise collection just to be told they had sold bike! When asked what was to be done, told to leave it with them and would call me back - no phone call!! Rang them to be told they wouldn't be getting replacement!! Asked for alternative he said they would be stocking Merida(!!!cheap trashy bikes suitable for Halfords!!!) and, if I wanted, I could look them up on Internet to find out about them!!!! At this point gave up and went back to personnel to see if i could go elsewhere - man in the know was off!!!!!! Ring next day, explain situation and confuse man in know - says he will ring me back with solution - no ring back!!!!!! Ring him - seems to be unsurmountable problem and he will have to check with woman in payroll - she is not in work!!!! Stifle urge to scream at man!!!!!!! Ring next week he says!!!!!!!!!
At this point ring back to crappy bike shop and ask if unhelpful man if he could possibly get replacement Felt bike - not sure he says, don't make them anymore (Lie!! 2008 and 2009 models of bike on sale at Evans up to £100 cheaper - not able to use Evans on our scheme!!!) Says he will ring agent of Felt to see if he could get one and ................................................................Yes, you guessed it, he will ring me back!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
At present, still waiting for him to ring (after 2 days!!!!)
AVOID ACTIVCYCLES, CORBRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!
ps to rub salt in wounds payslip arrived today with first deduction for bike taken out - how efficient
Edited by TheFatControlleR (30/10/2008 15:12)
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Philippo76
Reged: 09/06/2008
Posts: 107
Loc: Morecambe
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JeJames - for all the reasons above!
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Bluebeard
Reged: 27/03/2008
Posts: 528
Loc: Brixton innit
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Quote:
AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
They do sound rather special. Is there any decent LBS around that you can use, aside these barbarians?
I also have noticed that when people can take money out of your payslip, they will do so with alarming efficiency, while if there is something due you, ooh, well, we can't get it to you next month as the paperwork has been all done, but we'll see if we can get it to you for Christmas.
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You can take a bike to water but you cannot make it drink
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eezaderosageezer
Reged: 09/11/2007
Posts: 5
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Need to add Oakley to the list of rubbish retailers....not the retail stores - but the laughably title Service department at Oakley themselves....bought a pair of O-Rokr that can bluetooth to my iPod for the commute daily - 40 miles. Broke after 85 days; them Oakley charged me for a warranty repair - £60 - as if it wasn't bad enough to be without the glasses in the first place; they cost £200 and can't be used in the sun or for sporting activities!
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