For UK residents only!!!

What is your opinion of Halfords?

In a word C**P. Halfords for any serious cyclist is a waste of time, so my advice is, if you are a 'fair weather cyclist' and only need a set of flimsy tyres or a puncture repair kit - then fine, go in. If you require some nice trick bits, avoid it.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking...Weasel lives in Berlin, but I am a subscriber to Mountain biking UK (a decent mag until it got taken over by 5 year olds), and it has Halfords brochures regulary. So I get to see their overpriced range of rubbish from afar. I used to live in the UK anyway, so I got to see it firsthand. I had to go somewhere whilst shopping with 'her indoors'! There is only so many womens shoe shops you can go in before you have a mental meltdown.

I don't know, maybe I'm wrong. Rich, what do you think?


:cool: Its only a hill!

HA HA! You tricked me!

There I was happily slagging off Halfords, and all the time you were lying in wait for someone like me to slag them off!!

In the words of Inspector Cloesou (misspelt probably) "I must congratulate you. If there is one thing I do enjoy - it is a good Halfords ploy".

How was I supposed to know you worked there!!! He He, excellent!

Not UK but Halfords is everywhere, the only thing i like about Halfords are the LED blinkies, for serious riding i`ll go to my LBS.

And here in NL, they have cool Burago and Solido car models too!

Halfords are handy to see and touch the product you're about to buy online!!

I agree that for bottom of the range stuff they're OK - eg: I bought a suspension seatpost and gel saddle for my old dad out in Zimbabwe. The suspension seatpost was only 18 quid. Now I now that the seatpost I bought is probably lo-spec, but that's what I was after - a budget suspension seatpost.

Also Halfords will not have any Campag stuff. They mainly cater for family and recreational MTBs.

I lose out on another count in that there are no nearby race bike shops. In Staines we have Halfords, and ActionBikes who are also MTB centric.

I get all my stuff via web from SquareDeals on Wheels (excelent prices!) and St John Street Cycles.

Stew

UK ones are garbage. The ones in Netherlands have much more choice.

Ok if you want a Snoopy car freshener tho'

I haven't been in one in years. Unless you drive the local one is pretty much unreachable.

To give them their due they are sponsoring Sustrans though...

Richard

Any time I've bought something in a Halfords it's pretty much always turned out to be a false economy. I'd rather just go to a decent LBS, where at least they know what they're talking about. At Halfords a lot of the employees only seem to know about go faster stripes, which radio has the best bass and how to lower suspension.

Of course, that could just be the ones I've been in! And I'm sure I'm maligning some of the employees, too.

Well, I'm going to fly the flag for Halfords bikehut. :thumbup:

I've been very impressed with them, and will definately used them again...so ner!

Rich

p.s. They actually worked out alot cheaper than the LBS in Tonbridge...can you believe that???

Hi guys.

Rich is right Bikehut is great - the good news is that we are expanding the concept to all 400+ stores in the UK. Even better news is that we will be employing actual cycle specialists - instead of sales people. And if I get one of the roles when my store is converted I could get a £4k payrise

Try your local store BTW as we have access to over 12,000+ spare parts and bits n bobs - but alas still no Campag

Good to be back

Greg

Wha' the bloody 'ell is Compag?

Campagnolo.
They are an Italian manufacturer of the best road bike components available. They make every component that Shimano does, only better. They also have repair bits, so you don't have to throw away things just because 1 screw broke.

Well I know what Campy is, but what is "Campag"?

Campy and Campag are both short ways to say Campagnolo.

Fetish Boy...

That was a pretty sneaky way to get hype about your workplace...I forgot you work there...

Hehe...you are naughty!!!

Still, I am very impressed with the new stores..do you thing they'll start stocking Campag stuff in the future???

Rich

Somehow I doubt they would. Here in Holland, the only Shimano I have seen is a "model" name I never saw before, sold in Halfords packaging. I suspect that Campagnolo is pretty fussy about who resells their stuff, and would opt for higher-end bike shops.

However ... it sounds as though Halfords in the UK may have some more specialist bike shops. True? If so, are there any around Shepperton or Uxbridge? Or perhaps Welwyn Garden City? I should be going there on business in a bit, and am looking for stores to visit while there.

Cheers...Gary

Hi Gary,

You might be right, saying that though...Halfords are now selling Pace suspension forks and Kona mountainbikes...you never know, hopefully Campag may see them as a more serious retailer now.

You should be able to locate the nearest Bikehut store to those places you're going to on Business by going to the halfords website

www.halfords.co.uk

Good luck

Rich

The Halfords refitting programme is currently in the London area - so I imagine there should be one round near Uxbridge.


We actually sold Campag stuff up until 10 years ago, along with Bianchi bikes.