London to Paris Charity Ride

[I am Spartacus]

the likes of Evanscycles/Halfords are all over the place down here and are also open late. Not to mention they will fix your bike on the spot,

I am truly shocked... I really didnt know.....

 

[skwerl]

I for one wouldn't let Halfords anywhere near one of my bikes. The odd time I go in there for car-related stuff all I see in the bike section is a bunch of chimps hanging around with their fingers up their arses talking to their mates and doing little else.

Bike Hut at St Pauls are an exception but they seem to operate like an LBS.

On a side note I'd be fairly sure that bike manufacturers have a strict retail pricing policy so how much can web retailers vary over an LBS? Not by much I imagine. Any sale price is usually funded by the manufacturer to clear stock for next season's. The biggest difference I see is that online/mail-order tend to be the guys that offer the 0% finance deals.

 

[Arch]

To get back to the point...

(all this LBS talk isn't helping the OP at all...

If you want a more road oriented bike, but don't want to spend too much, go second hand. Some local shops will have second hand part ex bikes for sale, or look in classified here, or the CTC forum.

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewforum.php?f=32

If you can fit slicks on the MTB's that'll help. When you say suspension, do you mean full sus, or front only? Can you lock the suspension, so that it doesn't sap your energy?

You can ride to Paris on anything, if you are fit enough and well used to the bike.

 

[blazed]

I for one wouldn't let Halfords anywhere near one of my bikes. The odd time I go in there for car-related stuff all I see in the bike section is a bunch of chimps hanging around with their fingers up their arses talking to their mates and doing little else.

Bike Hut at St Pauls are an exception but they seem to operate like an LBS.

On a side note I'd be fairly sure that bike manufacturers have a strict retail pricing policy so how much can web retailers vary over an LBS? Not by much I imagine. Any sale price is usually funded by the manufacturer to clear stock for next season's. The biggest difference I see is that online/mail-order tend to be the guys that offer the 0% finance deals.

No the prices vary massively. You're clearly an LBS fan boy, typically hating Halfords and dont even have any bike related experience with them.

 

[Swanny]

Its a shame this has turned into a bit of a slanging match, but anyhow thanks "Hobbs Choice!" for bringing it back on topic.

I'm beginning to think from a personal point of view I would rather ride in an upright position as bending down most of the trip will kill my back and I am no spring chicken (50+).

I suppose if I get some sort of lightweight touring bike that will do the job.

Bearing also in mind we are novice cyclists this might be best.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[Swanny]

Sorry "Arch" I missed your post.

Its front suspension which I can't lock.

We have a bike sponsor (as I said earlier, the bikes will be auctioned off) who is looking for ideas on the bike we need.

I guess my points above should be a good start.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Swanny I definitely agree with wanting to be more upright for the trip otherwise it will be hard on the back. A little side note, but on subject, have you read French Revolutions by Tim Moore. A very funny book but also has some good information within his story at the front of things he's told to take along with him to make the journey a bit more bearable (he decides, without any training, to do some of the Tour de France route one year at age 40).

I had a lightweight hybrid with road tyres and it got me through really well. Make sure you get proper gloves too (with gel padding). I gave myself cyclists palsy from my trip because I didn't have proper gloves (amateur!!)

I'm very much a novice cyclist and the London to Paris was my first proper ride, I hadn't even managed any training before we went so I know how you feel! Although I'm sure by next May you'll be an expert!!!

 

[skwerl]

No the prices vary massively. You're clearly an LBS fan boy, typically hating Halfords and dont even have any bike related experience with them.

you work for Halfords don't you?

as I said. My bike-related experience of Halfords is that I've seen them at work and I don't like what I see. Are you suggesting I give them a bike to play with on the off chance they prove me wrong?

What I'm a fan of is having a healthy mix of large and small enterprise. Follow your reasoning and we'll end up like the US - driving to strip malls and out of town retail parks.

BTW - you should set up a poll and see what percentage rate Halfords.

 

[Swanny]

Thanks Hobbs Choice

I will try the book.

But as an after thought maybe I could get a tandem and read it on route:-)

The gel gloves are a great idea, my normal ones give me piuns and needles after a while.

 

[4F]

Thanks Hobbs Choice

I will try the book.

But as an after thought maybe I could get a tandem and read it on route:-)

The gel gloves are a great idea, my normal ones give me piuns and needles after a while.

Specialized BG gel glove are are a good choice.

 

[blazed]

you work for Halfords don't you?

as I said. My bike-related experience of Halfords is that I've seen them at work and I don't like what I see. Are you suggesting I give them a bike to play with on the off chance they prove me wrong?

What I'm a fan of is having a healthy mix of large and small enterprise. Follow your reasoning and we'll end up like the US - driving to strip malls and out of town retail parks.

BTW - you should set up a poll and see what percentage rate Halfords.

No i dont work for Halfords, and there is no point setting up a poll like that there is an agenda and bias on this forum it wouldn't be worth it.

 

[skwerl]

No i dont work for Halfords, and there is no point setting up a poll like that there is an agenda and bias on this forum it wouldn't be worth it.

unlikely. It's difficult and pointless having an agenda when you're a
collective of random, nameless, faceless people.

As for bias - untrue. Ask an opinion on here and you'll get genuine responses, from all camps. Just take helmet wearling as an example. You're more likely to get a genuine response on a forum than anywhere else as people aren't worried about expressing their true opinion, which for the majority will be that Halfords are reasonably shite in most cases.

Of course, if you don't like what you're hearing feel free to sulk somehwere else but you may as well get used to it, or spend the rest of your life sulking

 

[blazed]

unlikely. It's difficult and pointless having an agenda when you're a
collective of random, nameless, faceless people.

As for bias - untrue. Ask an opinion on here and you'll get genuine responses, from all camps. Just take helmet wearling as an example. You're more likely to get a genuine response on a forum than anywhere else as people aren't worried about expressing their true opinion, which for the majority will be that Halfords are reasonably shite in most cases.

Of course, if you don't like what you're hearing feel free to sulk somehwere else but you may as well get used to it, or spend the rest of your life sulking

On this forum that will be the opinion, because of the bias. Clearly that is not the opinion in GENERAL though otherwise they wouldnt be as successful as they are, since people tend to avoid things that are shoot (which is why the LBS are so quiet).

 

[skwerl]

which is why the LBS are so quiet

except they're not though, are they? Cycling-related businesses, big and small, are reporting substantial increases in revenue brought about by a combination of the financial squeeze and the so-called green agenda and scaremongering over obesity and health. The C2W tax benefits are helping too - especially halfords as they're one of the two main players in that space.

 

[Arch]

On this forum that will be the opinion, because of the bias. Clearly that is not the opinion in GENERAL though otherwise they wouldnt be as successful as they are, since people tend to avoid things that are shoot (which is why the LBS are so quiet).

I think you'll finds that's the opposite to what a lot of people do - hence the crowded chain pubs selling gallons of fizzy lager and alcopops to wash down the microwaved meals.

People take the easy option, and if that means going to Halfords, because you already know where it is, because you buy your car bits there, that's what they'll do.