As some may know a few months back I purchased a Dahon MU SL from a company in Wigan that does mostly mail order. The delivery date was postponed twice (and I very nearly cancelled the order)but finally they said the bike had arrived... (it is terrible trying to get through on the phone to them). I arranged to pick up the bike the following afternoon after 1pm giving them plenty of time to get the bike ready for me. When I arrived at the appointed time they said “sorry it’s not ready yet, just got to find it, won’t be long”... some considerable time later they wheel a Dahon Mu Sl into the shop area, Ok, I say, it’s a SL but I ordered a 2008 model and this was a 2007 model.... so off they went to find my bike... eventually they found it. “Ok won’t be long, just put it together for you”.... they lied it was a long wait!

Finally they came out and said “here you are.... oh and we had to replace this part pointing at the upper head bearing as it was missing”

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. The steering had always been slightly stiff but it was getting much worse by the day to the point the bike was not safe to ride. I considered taking it back to Win****leys but I did not really want to make 70 mile round trip and wait God knows how long while they sorted out the problem. So I took it to my LBS which has been established for over 60 years....
They charged me £15 to supply and fit a new bearing, which I think is very good. The guy at the shop asked me “where did you buy this bike?” win****leys in Wigan says I, “that’s figures” he said, “they have over-tightened it and crushed the bearing”... he then went on to relate all the horror stories he had been hearing within the trade and from customers.

From now on I am going to try and use local bike stores wherever possible.