New bicycle assembled wrong & told its dangerous

kevj99uk

I purchased a brand new bike from and assembled by Halfords 2 years ago but until I purchased a new bike for my partner recently I have hardly used it. We now go out every weekend on our bikes but today a gentleman stopped me while on my bike and he pointed out the front fork is assembled the wrong way round and said it was dangerous and I shouldn't ride it. He said he has been in bike trade for years and knows his bikes. When compared to my partners bike I can see what he means.
So question is where do I stand with Halfords by riding a dangerously fitted bike?
Any advice appreciated.

Fosterdog

What exactly is dangerous about it? What is likely to happen and how much of a chance is there of it actually happening? Is it the same make and model as your partners? If not maybe it's just a different design.

I'm assuming it's been safe enough so far on your weekend bike ride, how long have you been riding it like that safely?

Realistically as it was bought and assembled two years ago it would be down to you to prove that halfords have done it wrong and that you haven't taken it apart since initial build and put it back together wrong.

How easy would it be for you to just do it yourself? Have you spoken to the branch you bought it from at all to see if they would put it right free of charge or at least at a reduced rate?

It would also be worth checking with an actual bike shop too, not just taking the word of a random stranger who stopped you and said it was his trade, he may not have really had a clue what he was talking about.

Fosterdog

Actually I just googled it for you, some styles are supposed to look like they are backwards and even if it is genuinely on the wrong way it sounds like a two minute job and all you need is an Alan key, loosen it, turn it to the correct position and retighten.

As to whether or not it is dangerous have a look here http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/how-to-break-the-bad-news-your-forks-are-on-the-wrong-way-round

In the case of one person she preferred the position of the bike with them backwards and others prefer the feel of the ride with them like that so I'm guessing it's not particularly dangerous.

neilmcl

What bike is it?

Norman_Castle

kevj99uk wrote: »

So question is where do I stand with Halfords by riding a dangerously fitted bike?

What do you want from Halfords? Take it back to Halfords and explain you've been advised the forks look incorrectly fitted. If they agree, ask them why they fitted them that way and if they can rectify them.

A picture would be good.

Caz3121

kevj99uk wrote: »

So question is where do I stand with Halfords by riding a dangerously fitted bike?
Any advice appreciated.

are you asking whether you can take it back to Halfords and ask them to switch it round (should be a simple task you could do yourself) or are you asking if you are due compo for something that did not happen?

photome

Sue them for thousands and get them to sack the person who assembled the bike:eek:

Tom_Jones

Why is it the first ting people think of is to sue or seek compensation ?
Go into a local bike shop and have the forks changed to the correct way around and learn to never buy a bike from Halfords.

molerat

A simple case of the handlebars and forks being 180 degrees out, are you sure you have not twisted them in the 2 years the bike has been in your possession ?

SouthUKMan

If the forks are indeed on the wrong way - as opposed to this being a quirky design - it should be a five minute job for anyone competent to fix it. It won't be difficult and it's certainly not a specialist job - anyone handy with DIY could do it so long as they have got the correct spanners at home. Otherwise pop along to your local bike shop.

in_the_Cotswolds

Don't forget you will need to remove the brake caliper or if you have discs the cable otherwise it will be wrapped around the forks.