need help picking a bike in halfords

D500B

Hi,

In work they are running that bike4work scheme. unfortunately they are only running it for 2 weeks and you have to buy the bike from halfords who have a pretty limited stock of racers. I went into the carrickmines store and the people there knew almost nothing about picking a bike. ("well they're bikes - they're all good bikes"). I don;t really know the pros and cons myself and am worried about wasting my money getting the wrong one.

the available ones are here:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/categorydisplay_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165710_langId_-1#catattributes

It is a racer I am looking for. Basically I want to use it both for getting into work (about 4 miles into centre of Dublin) and also for around wicklow some weekends doing some longer cycling. I would like to have a comfortable bike for this but since I don't plan cycling at a competitive level there is a limit to how good my bike should be.
Sorry for asking such an open question but I only have one more week left to get a bike and I'm not even able to see the ones on the website in person in a halfords store here as they have to order most of them.

kona

D500B wrote: »

Hi,

In work they are running that bike4work scheme. unfortunately they are only running it for 2 weeks and you have to buy the bike from halfords who have a pretty limited stock of racers. I went into the carrickmines store and the people there knew almost nothing about picking a bike. ("well they're bikes - they're all good bikes"). I don;t really know the pros and cons myself and am worried about wasting my money getting the wrong one.

the available ones are here:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/categorydisplay_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165710_langId_-1#catattributes

It is a racer I am looking for. Basically I want to use it both for getting into work (about 4 miles into centre of Dublin) and also for around wicklow some weekends doing some longer cycling. I would like to have a comfortable bike for this but since I don't plan cycling at a competitive level there is a limit to how good my bike should be.
Sorry for asking such an open question but I only have one more week left to get a bike and I'm not even able to see the ones on the website in person in a halfords store here as they have to order most of them.

Get a boardman, Liffy Valley stock em, well they did the last time i was there.
you can get any bike you like on cycletowork, its a voucher or cheque from your employer.

lescol

+1 on Boardman. Had a look at the Halfords Team Boardmans during the FBD Ras, a terrific bike. A lower spec is still going to provide you with a great machine.

Bikerbhoy

You seem to think you have to get the bike from Halfords .....? Nearly every other bike shop is running the scheme also .May I suggest a visit to Joe Dalys in Dundrum at least you are dealing with people who know their stuff and probably as important, a good after sales service..

penexpers

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

You seem to think you have to get the bike from Halfords .....? Nearly every other bike shop is running the scheme also .May I suggest a visit to Joe Dalys in Dundrum at least you are dealing with people who know their stuff and probably as important, a good after sales service..

An employer can choose to deal with whatever shop they want.

Bikerbhoy

well I wasnt aware of that to be honest..well if thats the case you have no choice boardman it has to be.

D500B

H,
Thanks for the replies.

Regarding buying in Halfords I've asked in work could I go to a regular bike shop but but was told no. Frankly I'm a little annoyed that my employer is restricting a government tax break scheme to just one shop with a very limited selection of bikes. But that's not really something I have control of I might as well go with it.
I presume the road comp would be a good one to go for then.
In terms of accessories is there anything that I should have added to the bike that I should get done at purchase stage? Eg peddles alternative parts etc.
I was also going to get some clothing, and a helmet with it as these can also be gotten as part of the tax break. Can mudguards be fitted to the bike? I could live without them.
On the boardman site it says this:

Can I fit mudguards?
Yes, standard full length mudguards can be fitted on all Hybrid bikes and on the Road Comp SC, Race guard style mudguards can be fitted on all other road bikes

Are racing style mudguards the race blades people seem to regard as not very effective?

The tax man

D500B wrote: »

Are racing style mudguards the race blades people seem to regard as not very effective?

I'd say so. They are not as effective as full length mudguards but still effective at keeping your back and arse dry on a spin in the wet. Feet will still get wet though.

Many people here use them.

xz

Halfords in Carrickmines are selling a Boardman Comp for €699, unsure of the size though

kona

D500B wrote: »

H,
Thanks for the replies.

Regarding buying in Halfords I've asked in work could I go to a regular bike shop but but was told no. Frankly I'm a little annoyed that my employer is restricting a government tax break scheme to just one shop with a very limited selection of bikes. But that's not really something I have control of I might as well go with it.
I presume the road comp would be a good one to go for then.
In terms of accessories is there anything that I should have added to the bike that I should get done at purchase stage? Eg peddles alternative parts etc.
I was also going to get some clothing, and a helmet with it as these can also be gotten as part of the tax break. Can mudguards be fitted to the bike? I could live without them.
On the boardman site it says this:



Are racing style mudguards the race blades people seem to regard as not very effective?

Halfords has a better selection of bikes than any bike shop ive ever been in. Lowest is e100 higest is like 5k

Raam

kona wrote: »

Halfords has a better selection of bikes than any bike shop ive ever been in. Lowest is e100 higest is like 5k

Who needs to choose between a 5k bike and e100 bike?

kona

Raam wrote: »

Who needs to choose between a 5k bike and e100 bike?

Nobody, but It was claimed halfords have a limited range.

In my book 100<bike>5,000 is quite a wide range.

Saracen
Voodoo
Kona
Carrera
Boardman
Van Nichlaus
Rocky Mountain

They can order in colnago frames too.

blorg

The Boardman racers have got exceptionally good reviews and are excellent value for money, I would be quite happy with one myself. Here is a review of the Boardman Road Comp, I doubt you would get better value for your money.

I have heard Halfords will sterling price match on a 1 to 1 basis if pushed, if so I would be tempted to go for the Boardman Team Carbon (£999 in UK.) - you may as well go for the max tax saving IMHO, and you won't get a better bike than that one at the price.

kona

blorg wrote: »

The Boardman racers have got exceptionally good reviews and are excellent value for money, I would be quite happy with one myself. Here is a review of the Boardman Road Comp, I doubt you would get better value for your money.

I have heard Halfords will sterling price match on a 1 to 1 basis if pushed, if so I would be tempted to go for the Boardman Team Carbon (£999 in UK.) - you may as well go for the max tax saving IMHO, and you won't get a better bike than that one at the price.

Halfords are rumoured to be dropping prices big time next week as regards to the exchange rate. I doubt you will get 1:1 as its at like 0.86p for a euro.

Ive heard a figure of 1:1.2

Raam

kona wrote: »

They can order in cervelo frames too.

What the?!

short circuit

Raam wrote: »

What the?!

I think to save your face when you are on the Cervelo tomorrow .. you should have a "My other bike is a Specialized" sticker on your back ... :pac:

kona

Raam wrote: »

What the?!

Yup its amazing, you just have to find a bikehut with staff who, actually have a interest and request suppliers catalogues etc.......

However id like to apologise, the brand I was thinking of was colnago not cervelo.

So your Okay you dont have to sell it

Acoustic

stay the foook away from halfords

whos gonna provide ur warranty if it breaks ???

or maintain your bike ???

support ur local bike shop and not foreign companys

ednwireland

Acoustic wrote: »

whos gonna provide ur warranty if it breaks ???

halfords ?

i would guess they put a lot into the irish exchequer

seem to have one mechanic per store but i guess like lbs's its very variable

just wish i had a decent lbs

BostonB

If you read the reviews of the Carerra bikes in Halford, or the Boardmans, they get decent reviews. The only real complaints I've seen are the poor standard of bike mechs in Halfords store. Some are good some woeful. But for the price the they seem to have decent spec with Sram parts on the road bikes and hybrids.

kona

Acoustic wrote: »

stay the foook away from halfords

Why such a dramatic sweeping statement?

Acoustic wrote: »

whos gonna provide ur warranty if it breaks ???

Em under the SGSA, Halfords have to provide you with a warranty, The warranty they provide is contained in that little book given with every bike that tends not to be read by the owner.
So Yup Halfords will Provide it.

Acoustic wrote: »

or maintain your bike ???

Tough one??! Id take a chance ad say Halfords again
For e25 you get as much servicing as you like. If i didnt do it myself id be under this plan, If anything just for gears brakes and free lube.

Oh yes they also provide A service for your suspention to be professionally tuned by TF.

Acoustic wrote: »

support ur local bike shop and not foreign companys

Why? Halfords Employ as many if not more irish in their stores than any LBS?
Halfords pay their taxes and gernerate income for the government?
Halfords are generally cheaper than the LBS


Whats the craic with the mystical LBS anyways?? Ive plenty of dodgy repairs charged at extortionate prices in LBS.(e.g the lad with the warranty issue with a halfords bike, which a LBS charged for and replaced the wrong part.)


Halfords do have dodgey stores(what ever one that bike with the H/bars on back to front!), but since everybody here is so quick to give out advice and hammer others that do disagree with their incorrect advice, you should all be well able to maintain any bike:rolleyes: and so the need for 3rd party maintenace/building doesnt come ito it:pac:

Halfords main problem is staffing, and a lack of communication. Not having **** bikes. Find a good halfords and your laughing IMO(em this can be taken both ways! LOL)

TheDriver

I was shopping around and found that the same bikes on amazon are half the price of what they are here anyways, reebok bikes seems to get very good reviews

kona

TheDriver wrote: »

I was shopping around and found that the same bikes on amazon are half the price of what they are here anyways, reebok bikes seems to get very good reviews

:eek: please tell me thats a joke!LOL

Jawgap

I've a Boardman (Team Carbon) and I quite like it, but I'm not comparing it to higher end bikes.

So far I've found it fast, comfortable and reliable.

A little bit miffed that they are price matching with Dublin now, but I got mine in Newry and found the staff both helpful and informative.

I'd love to support my LBS and I do as much as possible but the price differences combined with levvies, increased taxes etc have driven patriotism out of me!!!

As for warranties they threw in (on top of the warranty) a year's cover on the cycle care package they offer. If the thing breaks while I'm in Dublin, I can just take it to the nearest Halfords - what would happen if I bought it from the LBS and something happened 50 miles away from home - couldn't exactly walk into any old shop and and say "bought this in Drogheda - any chance you'd fix it for me for free," could I?

Yes, the knowledge may be patchy, but as I said at the start I like it, it was a reasonable price and it's added more enjoyment to my cycling experience.