New Halfords horror

Eldest’s chum came over at the weekend and I was presented with this horror.

Bought in December 2023. Dropper lever pointing directly at knee.

So I whipped it into the shed for a fettle.

Then I found that the lower stem bolt was two full turns loose.

The owner then told me he’d had some ‘issues’ with the front wheel turning in different directions to the bars…

Cable was rubbing on the stanchion too.

Easily sorted in a few minutes, but I was quite impressed that someone had actually managed to fit the dropper lever like that. Must have taken some creative thinking.

The problem with Halfords is that they employ ‘retail assistants’ and then have them building bikes. They’ve been doing it forever. They definitely employ some bike mechanics but they can’t be there all the time.

And I’ve heard of opposable thumbs but a double jointed Orangutan couldn’t ding that bell.

Given the thousands of bikes they send out, I’d be astonished if there weren’t horror shows like this.

Given half the questions asked on this forum or the absolute incompetence posted I’d be surprised if it wasn’t actually nothing to do with halfords.

Before outing a retailer where’s the actual proof that halfords built the bike and it wasn’t taken boxed and built by the neighbours grandads Gardner.

This forum is fast becoming worse than the comments in gmbn youtube chanel

Before outing a retailer where’s the actual proof that halfords built the bike and it wasn’t taken boxed and built by the neighbours grandads Gardner.

Yes!  We demand to see the pre delivery inspection checklist! **Pitchforks**

Meanwhile, back in reality, it’s highly likely that Halfords built the bike.  Their reputation is well earned.  If my friend group is any indication, this opinion is particularly strong amongst former halfords bike mechanics.

I worked in a Halfords 20 years ago. I was the only member of staff with any interest in bikes and any experience of building or repairing them. The other lads my age had never laid eyes on an allen key or socket set. They had no idea how a bike was assembled.

I was only there 4 days a week and they were pumping out dozens of bikes all week long, all built by someone. They strongly discouraged any customer from taking a box and building a bike at home.

The problem with Halfords is that they employ ‘retail assistants’ and then have them building bikes

The problem with saying stuff you don’t know is that you are wrong. My son has been working at Halfords while at Uni – and they send them on bike building training. I think the problem you’ll find is that they employ some people who aren’t really interested in learning. So they bodge stuff. But not all of them. 🙂

The problem with saying stuff you don’t know is that you are wrong.

Well as I said in my last post, I’ve worked there myself, I know people who still work there, an old mate of mine is a store manager and I’m a regular in my local branch.

I’m not just guessing for the fun of it.

This forum is fast becoming worse than the comments in gmbn youtube chanel

Is GMBN also populated with middle aged, over weight, over biked, over medicated, spreadsheet pushing middle managers with too much time on their hands?

My local halfords has well informed and helpful staff mainly in the cycle bit

We can always expect little problems at Halfords. But at least it didn’t make the front cover of an outdoors magazine.

Is GMBN also populated with middle aged, over weight, over biked, over medicated, spreadsheet pushing middle managers with too much time on their hands?

Woah there!! I find your scurrilous stereotyping insulting, demeaning, and downright rude…

I am no middle manager.

I’ve had five instances in my adult life, one with my neighbour, three at Center Parcs and one just out and about, of fork on backwards. All of them were new bikes purchased from Halfords. I know it is confirmation bias but I’ve had zero instances from bikes purchased elsewhere.

Something, something do your own research!

I’d be surprised if it wasn’t actually nothing to do with halfords.

I’m glad you agree. 😉

Anyway, the 13 year old whose bike it is doesn’t know what an Allen key is, let alone have one.

I’ve suggested he gets a multi tool for his coming birthday and try some maintenance.

FWIW, the dropper lever was mounted upside down and reversed – it can’t have been a simple task to fix it in that position in the first place. I asked his dad who confirmed he’d collected it fully built at Christmas.

More worrying for me was the bottom bolt on the stem. It had thread lock on it, but was two full turns undone. I suspect it’d never been tightened from being shipped in the box.

And their neighbour is elderly and unlikely to have a grandparent unless they’re in a deep freeze, let alone a gardener.