Hello peeps. We have an offer on at work at the moment in conjunction with halfords that means i can get a bike for roughly 60% of it origional price and pay monthly through my wages prior to tax e.t.c . I'm looking at the bike below (hope link works), any thoughts would be appreciated please. I'm not into jumping off 3000ft cliffs and climbing tree's with a bike but like a bit of off-roading and appreciate the benfits of full suspension.

Mens Full Suspension Mountain Bikes GT I-Drive XCR 5 20" Bike from Halfords Price £899.99#

Thanks
Andy.

 

That should do the trick, there are better options, make sure you get a chunky lock though!!

On a side note, does it have to come from "Hellfrauds", if so check it thoroughly before riding, some of their "bike specialists" are complete mongs.

Im sure most bike shops are in on the bike to work tax breaks, if it were my choice i`d steer more towards a specialist bike dealer, either your local shop or order online for discounts (chainreaction are ace for mail order). Independant bike shops will generally give more of a crap about your custom and make sure you leave with somthing perfect for your needs.
Try looking at Specialized the frames are a lot better and generally the spec is too.

Azonicben

 

Its halfrauds only I'm afraid. On the brighter side though the guy that runs the bike bit of our local one used to own his own bike shop and he was very good. It was just a shame that the arrival of a few big places like this put him out of business.

 

A mate of mine bought a bike from Halfords last year and it's been fairly useless, the tape on the inside of the rims wasn't wide enough, so it kept nipping the innertube, also it's a 27 speed bike and the Halfords mechanics actually admitted after weeks of trying that they couldn't set up the gears so you could select top gear.

Having said that you're getting a more expensive model than his and you're getting 60% off, so it sounds like a pretty good deal.

Test all the gears engage before buying though.

 

only a 5 min job to index the gears if your not a complete pipe end..

personally if I had to buy a bike from halfords, I would not let them touch it, and set it up myself, as I have heard alot of bad things about their "set-ups"

I have been building bikes for about 15 years, and it is not difficult if you take your time and use the correct tools, if your not confident doing it yourself, then have a look on the park tools website Park Tool Website or take it to your LBS..

that does look like the best bike that Halfords supply, so I don't think you have much of a choice with the bike..

 

I wouldn't mind my local Halfords bike manager doing my bike, he's a good lad a knows one end of a bike from the other. Rides road bikes and builds his own.

Having said that, you always check the bike yourself before setting off.....don't you??

Alcazar

 

I got a £15 for a year maintenance deal with Halfords - great when I got it (got a new crank, freewheel, chain, etc, etc fitted) but then a decent mechanic left and every visit (for new parts) has left me needing to sort the bike out myself.

A shame and I now use a local bike shop.

 

If you contact Halfords main office you can get any make of bike that is imported in to the UK.
You're not just limited to what they hold in their stores.
HTH

Paul.

 

I use my local bike shop for parts and servicing but the Halfords deal through work is a good one, especially as some of the ones I've seen will have Halfords source a bike that they don't normally stock if it's the one you want.

 

For examples:
Singletrack - Mountain Bike Magazine

Singletrack - Mountain Bike Magazine

 

My bike came from Halfords. Its done quite well so far on not too steep terrain and the spec is better than some Trek / Specialized which are twice the price.
We didn't want to spend a fortune on it in case I decided it was a fad and would never be used again but I'm not convinced how many goes of Llandegla or Marin Trail it would manage.