[Closed] New Chain Reaction Cycles website

how would you suggest they move forward then? . Seems pretty straight forward to me. Find your discipline, choose your category and order of it. Voice recognition, memory reading skills, what more do you want or maybe its a case of change and getting to know it!!!!

It's shit. I know companies and websites need to progress and re-fresh, but FFS at least move forward and not backward. It's pants!. Why?!.

Nothing like constructive criticism...

I do most of my browsing on an 11" screen. New CRC website only allows me to see 3 products at a time, previously it was much much better. Window shopping just became far less enjoyable!

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-crc-website ]Oh yes[/url]

I do miss the ability to just scroll down, alphabetically, to the product you want. Hopefully it'll get better as they iron out the bugs, else they'll lose business...

New website is another reason not to shop at CRC, IMHO.

It's shit

I think it's fine. Maybe it's you that's shit? 😛

'Spitting Roost'. What's that then?

+1

They'd refined the 'old' version over quite some time to the point where it was very good, given the large number of items. There were things that needed more work but it was pretty good IMO, and you could use it not only to buy stuff but to research kit/compatibility etc.

But the new one certainly isn't impressive initially. Maybe it just needs learning...? Looks too much like ProBikeKit for my liking.

Hi Folks

To be fair, there are a few issues. Here are the immediate things we are working on at the minute and you should see improvements very soon.

1. Performance - just not fast enough yet, lots of tuning going on
2. migration of order history - we now have the last two months in and we will be back filling from there
3. Internet explorer compatibility issues, we're seeing people with IE8 being forced into compatibility mode which totally wrecks the site + a few display issues on IE10
4. Mobile site - coming very soon
5. In stock only button - coming back soon (it's actually there now, but its buried down the page under 'status'
6. Hover flyout on the search page to show which items are available without going to the product page

We totally realise this is a big change for everyone (us included) and the launch hasn't went as smoothly as we would have liked. This is a total e-commerce platform change and we felt we needed to get it across the line and out into the real world so we can start learning, listening and making things better. We already have loads of constructive feedback and are working flat out

I promise that underneath the current issues there is a really good website waiting to get out!!!

it's bloody slow I'll give you that.

Radoggair thanks for your smart arse comments. I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'if it's not broken, don't try and fix it'. It wasn't broken. The user experience is bad and the 'new' functionality is equally as bad. For example. I went to try and find my son new helmet to buy tonight. Here's the experience i met with before i left the site and bought elsewhere:

3 attempts for the page to load.
It gave a listing of 72 kids helmets on the left side bar but showed 3 on the product listing. 3 images.
I refreshed twice but nothing. Yet, it was still showing different brands listing several different types of helmets on the left hand side bar.
I then had to individually click each brand and the number of helmets sold on the website. It then took an age to download the page. (And no it's not my internet connection speed. It's lightening fast and nearly had a movie fully downloaded by the time the 72 products listed on their website).
And then for some reason they are now carrying less products per page.

Ergo... it clearly doesn't work. Before?, you go on, hover over MTB, bam... menu drops down. Choose helmets, kids helmets, bam... all products list pronto. Choose what you want and buy. A very easy and effective e-commerce website.

If this is the e-commerce experience you're used to well then that's too bad. So to answer your first question... Test it and make sure it works before they launch it. Seamless, that's the magic word here radoggair. If you ever run your own business you'll understand.

Michael
sorry i only had 40mins for lunch today, so after trying CRC today i gave up and went else where.

You might want to look at the other thread, Michael. As specific issues, other than 'it's shit' are laid out.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-crc-website

@ Michael@CRC:

Thanks for coming on to respond to the post. Fair play.

There are a lot of bugs in it. I here what you're saying about getting it into the real world but it should have been tested before it was launched surely?. I mean... it's pretty bad.

I've bought a lot of products from CRC in the past and tonight it was so bad that i had to buy somewhere else. Of course i'll buy from CRC in the future but when you're primarily an on-line store and e-commerce solution, you should really make sure that it's a seamless transition.

Certainly from my end, the old feature of the drop down menu when you hovered over a disciplined was great. It gave you an overview instantly.
I'm having to refresh a few times before a page loads.
Products aren't loading automatically.
If you get to a page it suddenly crashes and brings you to an 'Oops screen'.
I'm sure there's more

Again i, and i'm sure others are greatful for you coming on to explain the issues. Hopefully the bugs are sorted out soon.

Hi lewy

I can only apologise again. The route cause of everything you described is 'performance' related which is our No.1 priority right now. Monday evening is our busiest time of the week so you're seeing it at it's worst. the site was load tested at a multiple of of current traffic with no problems but it's real difficult to simulate real people doing real things.

Anyway, again I apologise and can assure you that we will be back to full speed very soon.

Michael

Thanks guys, we wont be resting until this is sorted and you're getting the shopping experience you deserve

God no worries at all. I guess it's just frustration at a good site become difficult. Sorry!

No doubt you guys will get it sorted. Good luck with it all!.

It's slow because the homepage is 5000 lines of HTML, 3MB of asset downloads with no kind of progressive content. The console is logging a load of data to the user (Google Analytics debugging), all of which should be disabled in a production environment!

Looking at the source code of that site makes me feel ill - and god knows how much it cost!

was going to buy the Mrs a load of MTB gear for her birthday but got fed up with the wait and have had to order else where. Please sort it out quick chaps.

Just tried to buy a new pump - but the website keeps showing me a nice picture of a road bike crash with a message saying "please try later", so now I've bought it from Wiggle instead - If chain reaction can't be bothered with their customers why should I bother with them?

Hi Micheal,

Good to show your face on here.

There's a problem if you can't access Facebook. Basically FB is blocked for me from work and when I click on a product I get this large frame blocking the item description saying 'Server not Found'.

I can't put a screenshot on here as my usual picture hosting sites are also blocked.

But when I am at home nothing is blocked so I don't get the problem.

At least my employers are appreciating the increase in productivity!

OMFG CRC isnt working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[img] https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRENfnSZHGsaIEfr-lj9P8hI29wbusnv8dTr-jReue4eGm7yl34 [/img]

Oh dear. Someone's broke Kimbers 🙁

[img] [/img]

Michael lots of constructive feedback in other threads but lewy has listed most of my gripes. Losing the "hover" functionality when you see what sizes/colours are in stock is a massive (even if temporary) step backwards.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-crc-site-doesnt-work-in-ie-7

many of us shop at work where we are locked in to older OS systems and browsers, the new site is like pulling teeth. So I went to Wiggle instead.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-crc-website
/p>

already linked above.

and I have to create a name for a wishlist why?!

sleepless, bellefied and me makes 3: my recent purchases have been made elsewhere thanks to the new CRC site so I assume the IT bods are getting a kicking as we can't be the only customers theyve lost.

Thanks guys, we wont be resting until this is sorted and we're getting the business turnover we used to from the old site

FTFY 🙂

Another +1 on IE8 not working properly and being too slow to use - as above, many companies are still on IE7 or 8 so regardless of the rights and wrongs of that, you'll be losing sales as is...

If I say it's shite can I have a discount code please? I'd like some new top of the range bib shorts but only want to pay £8.50 for them. 🙂

If I say it's shite can I have a discount code please? I'd like some new top of the range bib shorts but only want to pay £8.50 for them.

The one thing that does seem to have worked with the new site, is the deactivation of all useable discount codes.

/bah

Well, i've just bought a bike and a helmet from CRC today and had no trouble, still on IE7 as well.
Not so keen on the new layout but it seems to work at this end.

Just tried to log into my CRC account using a Mac running Safari, the site won't recognise my e-mail address as being in a valid format, which is nice and rejects me. Ditto if I try to use the forgotten password link.

I set up a new account using the same e-mail address to check out, which worked fine. I then tried to use the form on your 'contact us' page to tell you/CRC there was a problem, but it wouldn't accept my message because it said I had used returns to create new lines in the text field - I hadn't.

I think they may have some sort of problem there. Same issue with log-in using Firefox.

Just taken the time to fill in the online survey on the new site, and after clicking submit get the following

Thank you for entering. If you're not redirected to check out the rest of our Prologo range in 5 second

Seriously? Even your'e feedback is f--ked? Evans and Merlin must be laughing themselves stupid.

[url= ]So I thought I'd look for at Park tools...[/url]

Whereas for me, after a few prods, it gives results:

[img] [/img]

I think you know where you can shove your positive CRC browsing experience, Jamie... 😉

Already cramming it up there now, mate 8)

...don't half sting 🙁

...yet, strangely, I just went back into that tab, hit F5 and I now have the same as you!

...as I said, I had to prod it. First time I got this:

[img] [/img]

...then the refresh gave me the actual search results.

...and I then tried to click on a sub category and it all fell over!

Consoled myself with chopped banana and custard. But even that went slightly wrong at the start when I realised I'd tipped a carton of banana flavoured custard over my sliced banana; had to rinse it off and ensure I'd found a tub of proper custard.

A real first world catastrophe averted.

never thought I'd type one of these messages...

the CRC site was down for me so my money went to Wiggle.

(oh the shame!..........I don't drive an Audi though)

My biggest prob with the CRC website is loooooooooong loaaaaading times:

[img] [/img]

Doesn't seem to show what's in stock very clearly anymore.

Reminds me of the 'new' autotrader site...

They lost my custom. They don't seem too keen on winning it back.

@Jamie looks like a case sensitive search issue

Looks like this is going to do a great service to the Australian bike shops & Tax office - we have crap internet 🙂

We have new computers at work. Most websites are fine. CRC now takes ages to load any pages, menus are dreadfully slow, like we have a dial up connection! Was using it last night and I gave up in the end as it wouldn't load anything and either crashed or I got the "oops sorry we messed up" screen.

If I were CRC I would be looking for the person who designed it with a set of Bombers. Absolutely hopeless.

I have a very new Win 8 PC, fast broadband (100 meg) and its slow for me but very useable. Not enough to lose my custom.

They need to do some optimisation, and fast as I have no doubt it does effect most people but it also does work as well.

I hope that makes sense as I have had a few shandy's

Im trying to search/find a seat clamp from my android phone. Nope. Tried through google yep. Click through = blank screen etc

I don't understand why anyone would switch to a new website without testing it properly before releasing it, especially if a large proportion of your sales are over the web. Just doesn't make sense, so why would any retailer do this?

bellefied - Member
I don't understand why anyone would switch to a new website without testing it properly before releasing it, especially if a large proportion of your sales are over the web. Just doesn't make sense, so why would any retailer do this?

how do you test 3000 people connecting ?

I thought it was much ado about nothing but having just tried to kook for a helmet fir the other half it broke. The homepage loaded fast enough, the first drop down menu was slow to load, filtered, looked at one helmet clicked the back button and got a black screen. No amount if F5 could get it going again.

Getting rid of the roll over stock levels is a pain. I used to use it loads to save clicking on every product.

This must be costing them money. The old site was not sexy but it was easy to use and worked. Oops.

The JPEG compression alone on some of the images is laughable! Particularly their own company logo and the 3 links in the header - free shipping, returns and exchange.

I dislike the overall design in general.

how do you test 3000 people connecting?

how do you test 3000 people connecting ?

Quite easily with Siege: [url= http://linux.die.net/man/1/siege ]Siege[/url]

To the guy who came on here on behalf of CRC, I am wondering out of interest, did this get outsourced and put live by externals or was it done internally? Either way - and I'm not saying this because it's an online forum - that's one of the worst website go lives I've ever seen. Both in terms of changes in design and core functionality issues including performance. For a company that is so heavily based on it's website shipping internationally, you chose to go live with this website which you deemed fit for production use? For such a sophisticated internal picking system at your warehouse, I'm shocked and appalled at the lack of care and investment in your website which is key to your business success.

I am wondering out of interest, did this get outsourced and put live by externals or was it done internally?

I'm going for the tea lady.

[img] [/img]

At a guess I'd say they used a UK digital creative agency and then outsourced the build overseas.

Seen it done with several large sites - all the money is spent on the creative process and the numerous latte's the designers crave for their brain farts. Then once all the money is burned sent it overseas to have it built on the cheap. Normally resulting in a build of this quality.

@CRC

Also lots of annoying little bugs like the brand filter on the left of the page being in no apparent order and several brands being listed twice with slight variations like "Mavic" and "Mavic 2013".

Ta!

Michael@CRC - Member

Thanks guys, we wont be resting until this is sorted and you're getting the shopping experience you deserve

Hah, I don't think the average STW member is ready for the shopping experience they [i]deserve[/i] Probably involves savage beatings.

The JPEG compression alone on some of the images is laughable! Particularly their own company logo and the 3 links in the header - free shipping, returns and exchange.

I dislike the overall design in general.

I wonder if they did that post launch in a hope to speed it up?

This is the best comparable website I´ve used: http://www.jensonusa.com/

It´s fast, easy to understand and use.
It seems to be what CRC were aiming for.
Just for kicks I checked the source code for Jenson vs. CRC´s main pages, wow, just wow.

[b]@CRC[/b]
From an aesthetics point of view, if anyone involved reads this: Please fix the main drop down menus (MTB, Road etc)and have them cover the animated backgrounds underneath. It just looks messy and distracting.

It's alright, I can use it, not all that tablet friendly IMO, but it's a usable site (assuming you are using a reasonable broadband connection...

I think the speed lag some are finding is simply down to the amount of Graphics and the apparently more complicated menu system it needs to load, dare I say it, its the old "less is more" issue...

the old site was marginally Simpler to navigate (Plus it's what people are used to), I'd have prefered it if the face lift had made it "cleaner" looking with less graphics and animated stuff, I also prefer list views for searches and field views (with smaller thumbnail images?) to these odd portrait 1:2 ratio Tiles that seem to load by default...

But it is just a comercial wesite people They've not executed anyone, no need to get so worked up...

That said:

[img] [/img]

How many runners need a Headset?

Just for kicks I checked the source code for Jenson vs. CRC´s main pages, wow, just wow.

Jenson achieve a homepage in a mere 227 lines of HTML, compared to CRC's 5228

Jenson has more assets at 3.3mb compared to CRC's (now) 2.6mb - and it still feels blisteringly fast in comparison.

Just had a present purchase to make...CRC or Wiggle....CRC or Wiggle - tried CRC - **** that! Wiggle got the sale.

Monthly sale figures are going to need a sharp intake of breath I'd have thought.

This doesn't make pretty reading:

[url= http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chainreactioncycles.com%2F&charset=%28detect+automatically%29&doctype=Inline&group=0 ] W3C validator[/url]

Jenson achieve a homepage in a mere 227 lines of HTML, compared to CRC's 5228

Lordy...

OK I give up !
Speed of delivery and reliability have always been excellent but after two days I have failed to place an order.

Admittedly one skewer isn't going to make much difference but it sounds like sales are being driven away.

Almost unusable on an iPhone 4 (and I prefer to browse sites using the non-mobile version as it's usually better). On the plus side, you can filter by size which means I don't spend my time clicking on clothes in the sale which turn out to be only XS or XL...

At a guess I'd say they used a UK digital creative agency and then outsourced the build overseas.

Seen it done with several large sites - all the money is spent on the creative process and the numerous latte's the designers crave for their brain farts. Then once all the money is burned sent it overseas to have it built on the cheap. Normally resulting in a build of this quality.

I'm not sure. It looks like it's been a cack-handed effort all the way through to me.

There's obviously a fair bit of work that's went into it, bolting on various bits and pieces - stuff that was on the existing website - but as already mentioned, it looks like any real user experience design has been forgotten about, which is the one thing they were winning at before - that and the prices.

Time and time again I've found myself browsing through the products on the CRC home page, purely because I'm bored and have some money burning a hole in my pocket. If I go there now I only see four products. Not really much of a choice! It has become your run of the mill Joe's Cycles (no offence to any store named Joe's Cycles!). An off-the-self ecommerce solution with some bolt on extras.

CRC always looked like a happy accident in the past. It was never a work of art, but work it did. Customers were invited to endless pages of discounted products, all easy to find and in your face. Despite it's faults it offered a very good user experience. When I go to the home page now I just can't be bothered to go any further. It's no longer inviting. And I imagine that will hit sales hard.

And none of that even has anything to do with the technical side.

weeksy

how do you test 3000 people connecting ?

I reckon that the new website started off as a good idea but got swallowed up with everything the marketing / sales team wanted it to do and now its just too unwieldy to do its basic function, never mind everything else.

What they should do is strip out all the gimmicks, videos, etc and just go straight to basics, consolidate that then look to add the bells and whistles at a later date.

[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/berg-blast-140-14-cosmetic-damage/rp-prod105247 ]http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/berg-blast-140-14-cosmetic-damage/rp-prod105247[/url]

Not quite what I was expecting (view in Firefox)...

Heh...

[img] [/img]

Isn't this post just trying to get as much traffic as possible to their new site no? Thus letting us all know they have one. As such getting old eyes back on their stock.

Err - It's a cack handed way of going about it, the site is unusable on a PS3.

It's not a lot better for a lot of people on PC's.

I wonder if the person who did the re-design is the same as that fella who came on here boasting that CRC were totally scam proof and that all the credit car fraud was nothing to do with CRC.

Iolo, I assume the email I've just received from crc apologising for the difficulties and with a 10 off 75 automatic voucher suggests not...

£10 off £50 would have been nicer 😡

Think it's fallen / falling over again tonight. Hey ho.

wiggle or merlin it is then! not waiting for crc

Backup.....

Bring back the old one .. !

New one is cack and frustrating ....

(Just given up)