First encounter with Halfords. Not the best

GreyPilgrim · 22 June 2009 at 9:49AM

I had my last bike 20 years ago, and I've been considering buying another for a while. On June 4th I bit the bullet and bought one from Halfords

Within a week I'd noticed that the chain was jumping in the cogs on the back wheel gear mechanism. Not actually jumping from one gear to another, more like it was slipping and jumping over a few teeth before catching hold again (so basically when you started to pedal, the pedals would grip for a while, then slip forward for about a quarter of a turn, and then grip again, then slip again). Sounded terrible, and didn't feel terribly safe.

Took it back to halfords on June 15th and the guy at the desk said it was probably the bearings, but that it wouldn't cost me much to replace.

:mad:

"Obviously I'd be quite upset if I was charged for this, given that the bike is only 11 days old"

To which he mumbled that the 'bike specialist' would call me the desk day to talk about payment, as he didn't know...

Obviously, the callback didn't happen, so I called the store and spoke to someone else, who apologised, said the fault shouldn't have happened given that the bike was less than two weeks old, and that he would make it an absolute priority.

"Great - does that mean it'll be ready tonight? (tuesday?)"

"No, it'll be friday"

Anyhoo, picked it up again on friday, and this morning, the problem has started again.

This always seems to happen to me

Halloway · 22 June 2009 at 11:44AM

It sounds like the chain is skipping on the cassette (the rear cogs.) I would not immediately suspect the bearings. It's far more likely that the chain is the wrong size or the gear selector and/or derailleur is badly adjusted. There are a number of factors which can cause skipping in the manner you describe.

If they can't fix this then get a refund as it is clearly faulty and has been from day one.

GreyPilgrim · 22 June 2009 at 11:58AM

Hi Hal, not being used to bikes at all, I first suspected I hadn't actually selected the gear properly, but looking downwards at the cogs I could see that the chain, the selector and the jockey wheels (is that the right term for the two smaller cogs that the chain snakes around) all seemed to be perfecly aligned.

A pal at work came out to have a look and immediately spotted that when he lifted the bike up of the ground, he could wobble the back wheel from side to side, and suggested it was the hub / bearings that had gone.

I mentioned this to halfords, and they confirmed it was the bearings.

SO...maybe they didn't have a clue and just took my word for it that the problem was with the bearings...?

Anyhoo, I'll see what they say when I take it back tonight.

Whats irritating is that there's no sense of urgency about this. Why isn't someone saying "I'm really sorry that the unit you bought from us has broken with 1 week of you buying it. Let me replace that for you immediately"

rather than

"meh.....leave it with us. We'll try and have it patched up for you by the end of the week"

nexuss · 22 June 2009 at 2:53PM

Demand your money back and go somewhere else.They are an absolute nightmare.Most of their budget mountain bikes under £200 fall to bits especially apollo ones.

GreyPilgrim · 22 June 2009 at 3:01PM

Nexuss - I usually like to get a balanced view on a retailer before I jump to aconclusion.

Unfortunately at the moment, it's about 30 people saying "Halfords are rubbish", and nobody saying anything in their favour...so I think you're right. I'll get my cash back and go elsewhere.

Halloway · 22 June 2009 at 4:24PM

Yep. Halfords are not well-loved.

hollydays · 22 June 2009 at 4:51PM

Had a bad experience trying to return a sat nav-they are muppets.I give them a wide berth now.

First encounter with Halfords. Not the best

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