[cadobady]

been thinking of taking up cycling after 20 years and have been into halfords.

i mentioned this when in another cycle shop and the guy nearly choked and said buy anywhere but halfords - said the service was poor and the bike wouldnt be put together right.

has he got a point or is he just talking down the competition? it was a competitive cyclist who told me Halfords were good value for money!

on another point - was looking at a starting price boardman but at €809 its a bit of a stretch for me, can anyone recommend a good value bike in the €500+- range?

thanks

[deandean]

Halfords gets fair stick allright. But there is a good mechanic in the Liffey Valley outlet.

The Boardman bikes look good. I soooo nearly bought one.

[Darkglasses]

It varies from branch to branch how well put-together the bike will be. It seems that not all of them have a good mechanic to build the bikes. I think Carrickmines is supposed to be fine as well. If they do have a good mechanic, then I think Halfords is quite decent.

[denlaw]

2nd hand bikes are great value , get it and then bring it to a good bike mech who'll give it the once over , some great value out there ...

[clonmahon]

I bought a Carrera TDF from Halfords in Cavan, nothing wrong with the assembly there.

[Roger Hassenforder]

ive had good experiences in Halfords (Mahon Point), although the only bike i bought in there was a busy bee kids bike! one of their mechs offered me a lend of his spoke tightner thingy when they had none in stock.

[Bigserious1]

I bougt a boardman team carbon in Coolock and its still going strong after two years.

[windward]

I wouldn't go to Halfords to buy a bike, three things I'd ask,

1) what type of cycling? (leisure, travel to work, road bike ie racer, etc...)

2) your location, if your in Dublin I know there's some shops that'll build a bike from the frame up to your budget

3) can you avail of the cycle to work scheme as €500 turns into €1,000 if you can

But no to halfords

[Roger Hassenforder]

^^ snob!

that said, i'd try and sooner support my lbs if possible.

[windward]

Originally Posted by Roger Hassenforder

^^ snob!

that said, i'd try and sooner support my lbs if possible.

It's not being snobbish its being practical and from experience

Why buy a bike off the shelf that comes packaged and generally setup when for the same money I can have a custom fit built from the ground up.

[AltAccount]

I'd have no problem buying a bike from Halfords - if the spec and price are right then that's all I care about.
I've no interest in their service or mechanics' abilities. I'd do my own setup when I got the bike home.

Learn to set uop your own bike, or get a mate who knows how, to give it a once over after you buy it. There's not much to setting up a brand new bike.

[route66]

I like Halfords in Carrickmines.

Have a look at their TDF road bike for under 500.

If I had the readies, I'd gladly spend 1249 on their monocoque carbon Shimano 105 Virago.

[Roger Hassenforder]

Originally Posted by windward

It's not being snobbish its being practical and from experience

Why buy a bike off the shelf that comes packaged and generally setup when for the same money I can have a custom fit built from the ground up.

'cos its a bike, not a rocket! Two wheels, a chain & pedals and a bit to steer it. Seat is optional.

[dancecatz2000]

One reason why i wouldn`t buy a bike from Halfords would be it has no after Value if you want to sell it, its a car accessors shop not a bike shop.

[Stark]

Originally Posted by cadobady

on another point - was looking at a starting price boardman but at €809 its a bit of a stretch for me, can anyone recommend a good value bike in the €500+- range?

thanks

Plenty of good bikes in that range. The Trek FX series, Lapierre Shaper, Giant Rapid, Felt QX, Specialized Sirrus etc.