Chain Reaction Versus Local Shops

[Kenny B]

I really wanted my first post to be " Ken does Fork-top" otherwise I feel unworthy to contribute. However, I'm so fed up about ordering bits from Bike Shops that I had to say something and see how every one else feels.

I would always use a local shop if at all possible and as long as the price wasn't too much higher. Lets face it all small businesses need our custom. But nearly 2 weeks ago I ordered a part from a shop in Lincoln and was assured it would be 2 days delivery. After 4 days and 9 days I moaned. It finally arrived today ( the day after my last moan) and cost me 33% more than the CRC price. This service is crap! is there any wonder web and mail order firms like CRC are doing so well?

Anyway, that's the rant out of the way, now I've finally got the 20mm bolt through adaptor for my hub I might actually be able to have a go at Fork Top.

[mr fish]

"Rasen bikes" i've found to match crc etc on price and they seem to get stuff in pretty quickly too,but alas they can't get every thing in which case i use crc.
i'm quite sure Ken,that you'll do FT before the years out,your skills are there already and now you've got forks that'll take the hit.....errr..sorry landing :D no pressure of coarse!

[dave_mawe]

to my best local bike shop its about half an hour drive and most the time my parents cant take me. I've found it easier to get it from CRC if you order it in the morning its sometimes here the next day. Who are the best LBS's around here? i know Cooks are quite good wel the 2 or 3 times ive been there.

[Baker]

The thing with CRC is that us under 16yr olds without credit cards cant order so easily from them. I've managed to get my dad to lend me his credit card but i have to pay him back. Heavy Bumber!!!!!!!! lol

[dave_mawe]

haven't u got a solo card. if ive got enough money in my bank account i can buy it with that aslong as ur bank/ bank card is a solo card

[Ben]

As with fish my primary source for bike components is Rasen bikes (naturaly :tune: ) but when a cant source something from there its on the dog and bone to CRC, call me old fashioned but i prefer to phone rather than internet shop, just pot luck the guy on the other end isnt too irish, as the acsent can get confusing :bang:

also, if anyone was unsure of brands that rasen bikes can get hold of dont hesitate to drop me a pm, i can also sort you out with prices etc etc.

:war6: :rokit: :cgun: :bana: :war7: :war6: :fu:
childish i know

[dave_mawe]

when your at ratz member u get 10% off dont you? I suppose it could make the prices a bit more competetive.

[jack]

i like rasen bikes but like other people i use chain reaction if its necessary. i.e. i need it the next day or rasen bikes cant get it.

[Baker]

Yeh i do like rasen bikes. Sarah is really healpful and ben is ok i suppose lol. joke. but normally i go in on a tuesday and theyre closed on a wednsday so i dont get the part the next day.

[jay dh]

have to be honest since moving to lincoln i've been quite dissapointed with the bike shops. the 1st place i tried was FJcycles, asked them to order me some decent innertube for my bike, repetedly called in, never showed, friendly but never really knew what was going on. was always "oh steve's supposed to be sortin that out but he aint in today"

2nd place i tried was down the high street, cant recall the name. were very helpfull when i was rebuilding my bike, didnt have all my tools down here so popped in from time to time and they always helped. however i recently stuck a set of goodridges on my bike, fitted the front my self, and wanted them to cut about 10cm off the back, then bolt it together, and bleed the lot. not only did the not actualy bother cutting down the hose, they let the pistons on the rear disk push out, withour realising, they told me they thought somthing had corroded in the lever!! they hadnt removed the pads when bleeding, so they were soaked in fluid and my bike looked like some one had pi$$ed on it there was brake fluid everywhere. god knows what they'd done.

Sorry about the rant, but if some one treats a customers bike like that, it winds me up. luckily my frames baremetal finish so the only harm the brake fluids done is to take the paint off my levers and calipers.

gonna try halfrauds next heh.

jay

[True Saxon]

Damn.. you let them get away with trashing your brakes? i would have gone ballistic.
Sounds like a shop to avoid for certain.

Halfrauds as you put it will price match even crc prices so no fraud there. (or maybe i got the gab):devil:

For repairs, i find that usually, its cheaper to buy the "proper" tool and do the job yourself than it is to pay a shop to do it. Might take a little time, but the next time it has to be done... it wont cost a thing :)

[Carldeenio]

One of the things i like about the 'Ratz' is the vibe thats going down. Everyone seems kewl and its just a good scene.
So if anyone ever needed anyhelp with fixing there bike, or for some of us with less experience setting our rig's up, would people help out.
I ask cos Jay would of been better getting help from the club if possible than letting some cowboys anywhere near his dh rig...

[Kenny B]

Just so nobody thinks I'm totally anti-bike shop for starting this thread, I should mention the excellent service offered by Rasen Bikes in locating and supplying the right drop-out/gear hanger after someone else tried to fob us off with the wrong one - saying it was near enough when clearly it wasn't.

I should also mention that there's currently a world shortage of drop-outs and mechs. Spokes too are in short supply but I know someone local who can supply matched pairs of half-spokes.