Yikes, no bikes!

fat bloke

Called into a well known bike shop yesterday.... No bikes!!!!

Seems that with a combination of the sudden voracious appetite for bikes and the fact that manufacturers were closed, and demand up all over Europe generally, bike shops can't get bikes.

I'm looking to get two normal about town bikes for my two girls and was told - maaybe mid July, maybe September, maybe even October for some models!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

Mad Ted.

Typically, after spending the last 15 years trying to get my girls cycling, buying them the best of kids, and mountain, and road, bikes all the way up -to absolutely no interest WHATsover. No amount of encouragement and entreatment and cycling "fun" camps and Corkagh parking and ice-cream runs and hot chocolate stops. Nothing worked.
So when they outgrew the latest round of bikes I figured "Right, feck yiz all, here's a bloody leap card each, may ye forever take the bus".

Three months later in the midst of a continent-wide bike drought.... "Daaad, can I get a bike?"

There is no palm big enough for my face. :rolleyes:

Stone Deaf 4evr

fat bloke wrote: »

Called into a well known bike shop yesterday.... No bikes!!!!

Seems that with a combination of the sudden voracious appetite for bikes and the fact that manufacturers were closed, and demand up all over Europe generally, bike shops can't get bikes.

I'm looking to get two normal about town bikes for my two girls and was told - maaybe mid July, maybe September, maybe even October for some models!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

Mad Ted.

Typically, after spending the last 15 years trying to get my girls cycling, buying them the best of kids, and mountain, and road, bikes all the way up -to absolutely no interest WHATsover. No amount of encouragement and entreatment and cycling "fun" camps and Corkagh parking and ice-cream runs and hot chocolate stops. Nothing worked.
So when they outgrew the latest round of bikes I figured "Right, feck yiz all, here's a bloody leap card each, may ye forever take the bus".

Three months later in the midst of a continent-wide bike drought.... "Daaad, can I get a bike?"

There is no palm big enough for my face. :rolleyes:

I live about a mile outside of the nearest town, and while my two have always had bikes, they were a bit young to where Id feel confident leading them on a trip in. One small benefit of the pandemic has been that its given me more time at home and quietened the road to an extent that we almost had it to ourselves for days on end, so plenty trips in and about in perfect safety.

No doubt theres plenty more in the same bracket, its great to see, and hopefully a good percentage will stick around to enjoy the magic of a nice spin on a summers evening.

silverharp

I was getting some bits in the bike shop and sandymount and the guy made a remark if you want one of those bikes with a basket (and I dont) it will be Oct.

ted1

Try calling Decathlon 0892498154
The shop has more stock than the website

daragh_

I got a nice Trek Hybrid for my eldest in Thinkbike a few weeks ago. She loves it.

My middle teenager has taken it out a few times and is 'almost' over the 'can't be seen dead on a bike' phase.

Thankfully my 13 year old is completely beyond that and is happily cruising around on her road bike with her mates. Stranger Things helped a lot there

Eamonnator

daragh_ wrote: »

I got a nice Trek Hybrid for my eldest in Thinkbike a few weeks ago. She loves it.

My middle teenager has taken it out a few times and is 'almost' over the 'can't be seen dead on a bike' phase.

Thankfully my 13 year old is completely beyond that and is happily cruising around on her road bike with her mates. Stranger Things helped a lot there

Great series that. I've seen a trailer for the new series, I hope it happens.

Pigeon Reaper

Beeper bikes have had a huge impact in my area. Lots of people started using them and now they're looking for their own bikes. You can't find either a beeper bike or a bike shop with stock today.

07Lapierre

Richies in Swords has city bikes in stock

07Lapierre

TMG Cyles (Skerries) Yesterday:


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10221962527150194&set=a.2635478804137&type=3&eid=ARBc6J4WC1G-pABBLTSPrjCuD23drD_1lSyOViyJ1_rPoKGf479MR2sSSwxsZBdrJNo0qOJSNxeWSyjb

punisher5112

It's mad out, never seen the bike shops with so many boxes outside ever.....
Never in my life have I seen families out with so many on bikes either....


Good thing to see but will it carry on after or will many just be dumped in the shed.

Macy0161

punisher5112 wrote: »

Good thing to see but will it carry on after or will many just be dumped in the shed.

The roads near us are back to normal with driver behaviour. Dreading the 20km limit for this, as that will just make our roads back to normal volumes, and make the off road options busier/ more problematic. One of the positives of this has been the few weeks of quiet roads to walk and cycle with the children. The "new normal" doesn't seem include knocking the car of it's throne in this state...

07Lapierre

punisher5112 wrote: »

Good thing to see but will it carry on after or will many just be dumped in the shed.

Very unlikely out side of Commuting. Even then i'd suspect most will commute by bike for the summer months out of necessity. come the colder/darker days arrive it will get really interesting then!

crosswords

First it was loo roll.

Then it was pasta.

Now it's bikes.

What's the next bandwagon?

Wishbone Ash

I was in Humphries earlier. They are out the door with repairs and sold out of city/hybrid type bikes. They are also having a lot of people seeking repairs for bikes that have been lying up for years and just not worth repairing.

(Fair play to Derek - did my repair on the spot.)

TheBoyConor

Could you get one second hand on adverts?

There will be some deals to be had on second hand bikes next year when all this fair weather lockdown bike craze dies down and people will just have these lovely new bikes they bought tossed in the garage or tied to a railing somewhere with cobwebs and flat tyres.

Of course, all those poor quality childrens full suspension mountain bikes that weigh 800kg will be good only for blocking a gap in a ditch.

secman

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I was in Humphries earlier. They are out the door with repairs and sold out of city/hybrid type bikes. They are also having a lot of people seeking repairs for bikes that have been lying up for years and just not worth repairing.

(Fair play to Derek - did my repair on the spot.)

Sure they have to look after front line staff ....WA

endacl

crosswords wrote: »

First it was loo roll.

Then it was pasta.

Now it's bikes.

What's the next bandwagon?

Anybody know a place with bandwagons in stock?!?

Oberkon

Seen a woman struggling at Blake’s Cross on her lovely new bike earlier, with cars wizzing by and herself trying to just go straight past the Lusk exit with some difficulty

Sad to see the traffic like that again - shortly she will have given it up or dressed in full hi viz builder gear

2x4

It’s wonderful to see so many people and families on bikes. There is a unique opportunity now to make sure they continue cycling.
A campaign to influence local and national government is needed to ensure this happens. The campaign could highlight obvious benefits e.g health, social, community benefits, less pollution and noise etc.
People cycling to work, school, shops will improve the areas where we live. Speed limits will need to be reduced to 30km in built up urban areas.
There will be opposition to this from vested interests. However the end goal of a healthier environment for all is surely worth it. If everyone on here emails their local representatives the campaign will grow and we will all benefit.

Eamonnator

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I was in Humphries earlier. They are out the door with repairs and sold out of city/hybrid type bikes. They are also having a lot of people seeking repairs for bikes that have been lying up for years and just not worth repairing.

(Fair play to Derek - did my repair on the spot.)

He's a good lad.

Wishbone Ash

Eamonnator wrote: »

He's a good lad.

He is indeed.

While I was in the queue with the bike, he spotted the problem from a distance (I didn't think it was obvious). Had it sorted in 3 minutes and wouldn't take anything for it.

magicbastarder

probably mentioned before that i had an annoying creak on a bike (not bought from him) which i'd slowly eliminated the headset, the cranks, the BB, the spokes, the seat tube, the wheels and spokes, the pedals, everything i could think of, as a candidate.
i brought the bike to him to cut the steerer tube by about 15mm; and when i was picking it up, asked him for advice on finding the source of the creak, and without missing a beat he said 'it's your saddle'. doh.

07Lapierre

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

He is indeed.

While I was in the queue with the bike, he spotted the problem from a distance (I didn't think it was obvious). Had it sorted in 3 minutes and wouldn't take anything for it.

Cmon..what was the problem that can be spotted from a distance? I'm intrigued now!

68 lost souls

Cyclesuperstore reported they received over 1200 calls per day the first week opening after lockdown! That is nuts. Great to see people on bikes, could be good for picking up a bargain second hand bike in a few months :pac:

Wishbone Ash

07Lapierre wrote: »

Cmon..what was the problem that can be spotted from a distance? I'm intrigued now!

It was the lack of tension on the RD. I thought the RD was banjaxed and was prepared to pony up for a new one. Meanwhile Derek spotted a summer bike that had just been dusted down and had a bit of slack on the chain due to a stiff pivot screw.

neris

Cycled past 360 cycles in clontarf a few times over last while and all they seemed to be doing was taking boxes of bikes out of the van. Yesterday the front window was just bike boxes. Think there's been a significant increase in the number of Fred's aswell

triggermortis

I rode past TMG in Skerries the other day and there was a good dozen people queuing to get in. Good to see - unless you just want to pop in for a quick item

Peter T

My lbs is asking people to call a week in advance if booking your bike for a service

billyhead

2x4 wrote: »

It’s wonderful to see so many people and families on bikes. There is a unique opportunity now to make sure they continue cycling.
A campaign to influence local and national government is needed to ensure this happens. The campaign could highlight obvious benefits e.g health, social, community benefits, less pollution and noise etc.
People cycling to work, school, shops will improve the areas where we live. Speed limits will need to be reduced to 30km in built up urban areas.
There will be opposition to this from vested interests. However the end goal of a healthier environment for all is surely worth it. If everyone on here emails their local representatives the campaign will grow and we will all benefit.

They will be back in the car and on public transport when the weather turns and when the winter draws in.

dahat

2 major local local employers just rolled out there B2W scheme early, stupid decision given the current climate.

easygoing39

Pass Jimmys bikeshop on my spin most days and there is always a que of people outside waiting to get into the shop.Repaired bike are lined up outside waiting for the owners to collect them,and I swear everyday there's at least a dozen repaired bikes in a line.
I've noticed the roads are nearly back to normal with traffic and d1ckhead driver's,which will be the end of family's and children cycling.
I just hope that cyclist's death's dont go back to normal now.

neris

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

Beeper bikes have had a huge impact in my area. Lots of people started using them and now they're looking for their own bikes. You can't find either a beeper bike or a bike shop with stock today.

those feckin bleeper bikes do my head in. gangs of young ones on them out our way and theyre either blocking up the cycle lanes and not moving out of the way or their zig zagging all over the place while tying to use a phone

Wishbone Ash

Oberkon wrote: »

Seen a woman struggling at Blake’s Cross on her lovely new bike earlier, with cars wizzing by and herself trying to just go straight past the Lusk exit with some difficulty..

Presumably she was going southbound on the R132 passing the Lusk turn? That's a squeaky bum time junction in that direction alright.

I was driving to work this morning and a cyclist was passing the junction heading south. He came to a complete stop at the plastic bollards even though he had right of way and beckoned me to continue. He probably had a few close calls. I'm amazed no cyclist had been killed there yet.

Oberkon

easygoing39 wrote: »

Pass Jimmys bikeshop on my spin most days and there is always a que of people outside waiting to get into the shop.Repaired bike are lined up outside waiting for the owners to collect them,and I swear everyday there's at least a dozen repaired bikes in a line.
I've noticed the roads are nearly back to normal with traffic and d1ckhead driver's,which will be the end of family's and children cycling.
I just hope that cyclist's death's dont go back to normal now.

Went by that today and the whole coast road was jammed , from the garage at the roundabout to jimmys bike shop was at standstill . Portmarnock is destroyed with traffic

Oberkon

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Presumably she was going southbound on the R132 passing the Lusk turn? That's a squeaky bum time junction in that direction alright.

I was driving to work this morning and a cyclist was passing the junction heading south. He came to a complete stop at the plastic bollards even though he had right of way and beckoned me to continue. He probably had a few close calls. I'm amazed no cyclist had been killed there yet.

It’s madness alright , they come bombing out from lusk and you have to try and get across the lane . Cycling for 25 years and I always have a heart flutter coming up to it .

Thargor

dahat wrote: »

2 major local local employers just rolled out there B2W scheme early, stupid decision given the current climate.

What do you mean rolled it out early? Its been running for years, you can do it any time?

Witnessed what happens in a bike/scooter shortage for kids earlier as a convoy of girls from the ages of I'd say 5-12 passed the house on roller skates/blades resurrected from somewhere

dahat

Thargor wrote: »

What do you mean rolled it out early? Its been running for years, you can do it any time?

They normally do it later in the year en masse rather than apply at any time.

at1withmyself

dahat wrote: »

They normally do it later in the year en masse rather than apply at any time.

But what's the problem doing it now, why is it a stupid decision?

ratracer

at1withmyself wrote: »

But what's the problem doing it now, why is it a stupid decision?

From speaking with friends recently who were asking me about bikes, it seems some companies only run their BTW scheme once or twice a year for say, 6 weeks. This is probably just a lazy, couldn’t be bothered attitude from the company’s accounts section.
In which case, those company’s opening the scheme now is a bit unfair on the employee as there is very little choice available at the moment. Ridiculous, but it seems to be a common enough practice.

Wishbone Ash

dahat wrote: »

They normally do it later in the year en masse rather than apply at any time.

The HSE do it from March to September. It should be all year round IMO.

cletus

The ETB do it from January to November, but that's the repayment window too. Some other arms of the Public sector do it from August for a 6 week period.

It's all ridiculous. I can't see any reason why it can't be run all year round

beauf

I'd say a lot of bike shops are picking up the slack from Halfords which closed, I don't know if they are back doing bikes again.

Maybe its a god time to start getting rid of the extra bikes in the shed. I've a few I pulled the ads when the lock down came in.

I've a few who are out growing their bikes very fast. Already had to get one kids bike this summer. I need another one soon. I also need a new hyrbid bike myself.

Though if Working home becomes permanent thing, even for part of the week it will change my bicycle plans.

rubadub

crosswords wrote: »

First it was loo roll.

Then it was pasta.

Now it's bikes.

What's the next bandwagon?

you forgot flour & yeast



With the bars closed there is no "bloke in the pub" to tell these people the error of their ways, when pubs reopen there will be a sharp drop as people realise they are considered scum and the roads are deathtraps.

at1withmyself

ratracer wrote: »

In which case, those company’s opening the scheme now is a bit unfair on the employee as there is very little choice available at the moment. Ridiculous, but it seems to be a common enough practice.

You can pick your bike now and get it when it's in stock if the bike you want isn't in stock? If the bike is in stock then you get the bike now, I don't see that being ridiculous at all? Doing the scheme later in the year is of no benefit for the bikes in stock?

If your issue is with companies not running the scheme year long then I see your point but still don't see a huge issue if its well advertised.

CramCycle

Had to pop into work this morning, even at the height of summer I have never seen so many families out on bikes, teenagers on bikes, it was great to see.

Thargor

My parents live on a beach in the middle of nowhere down near the Burren, there were so many kids and families on bikes down there yesterday thet were piled up like outside a dutch train station, waiting for pics.

MrMiata

I must be very lucky!

I called my local shop, (edit - Last Monday) they had next to no stock left (bar some very pricey options and 1 in my size and my budget), but he had just gotten in a full carbon Focus bike with a Shimano 105 gear-set, for €500.
I had to wait awhile because the bike had just arrived in as part of a trade/upgrade so he needed to service it.

Needless to say I'm delighted and very fast.

Away With The Fairies

Didn't Australia have the same issue as well? Couldn't get bikes.

Took up cycling a few months ago and really enjoying it. Saving so much instead of using the car or the bus. Now, I'd take the bike out first before anything else.

magicbastarder

i have one bike too many now. i have a bike that was mainly used for commuting but that hasn't been used since the end of january.

dahat

magicbastarder wrote: »

i have one bike too many now. i have a bike that was mainly used for commuting but that hasn't been used since the end of january.

One too many? Huh?