*Update Klaxon*

Rang Halfords this afternoon.

After checking with the technician they are still waiting on the frame from their supplier – I did think the two days quoted to me last week was mighty quick.

The chap said he would chase and call me back to give me an idea on how long it could take.

Nothing yet.

Just to clarify:

– I don’t have access to a stove.
– I can’t make normal porridge before hand and put in a flask.

I’m looking for a just add water recipe.

Thanks Frosty – any ideas on proportions?

Sorry Pigface, didn’t even cross my mind! Apologies!

I’m more worried that we don’t find a buyer and don’t add to the squad of the summer. We’d be odds on for relegation if that happens.

Albert Square looks fenced up, am I to assume you won’t be attending the victory parade?

If you’re riding Gisburn / Degla I’ve always got on well with Mountain King 2.2s.

Same as you when wet / DH (high roller / minion combo)

Jekkyl – crikey I don’t think it’ll come to that. Worst case scenario is I’ll turn the electric sander on.

The problem is it doesn’t look “all white”, it looks like a 15 year old’s bed sheet. Ah well, it’s not proper DIY unless you cause your self more hassle / expense is it.

I asked for that.

Thanks wwaswas. The floor is in terrible nick and I did it over a week ago 8)

My Friday night is shaping up to be a hottie.

It’s a storming rebuke!

Unbelievable scenes Jeff!

*Chants* Halfords, Halfords, Halfords….

mrvear – let’s not get all snobby about Halfords. The boardman is good entry level mountain bike for somebody getting interested in the sport and Halfords provide a recognisable store front for people being unwilling to shop online or feel intimated by the LBS environment.

Cheezpleez – I’m on the same page. But trying to stay positive, don’t want to worry over nothing

Skeetsgb – Other than marks, I’d be hard pressed to know what I was looking for. Good tip on the warranty clarification though.

If they could manufacture a frame that was permanently on fire would I ride it?

Hell yea. Hand me some fire retardant trousers and just call me Shic Cage (Shit Nic Cage).

Accurate in terms of sentiment. C’mon maaaaaaaaaaan engage your inner abstract expressionist. 8O

Jamie – as am I, as am I.

Especially as I ran into someone in ‘Degla (btw – if anyone from OnePlanet is reading this, your bike hire prices are exorbitant) who had the same problem (cracked frame, rear triangle) and they gave him a new bike, kit n’all.

I’m happy with the outcome though. :D <—- Accurate representation of my face.

*Update*

I just got off the phone with Halfords. The chap I’ve been dealing with was away today. Apparently the new frame has been ordered, and the guy confirmed it was covered under the warranty. They’ve managed to source a 2012 frame (the guy seemed surprised that I was surprised at this, so maybe they have a load of them knocking about).

I asked for an e-mail confirmation, but apparently they don’t have access to e-mails ( :roll: ). I reconfirmed everything with the guy (new frame, under warranty and they’d build it up) and he confirmed!

So while I would have appreciated the communication to be a bit better, it looks like Halfords have come out on top. Hurrah for Halfords!

They’ve got a reverb post to fit yet, so there may be a sequel…..

beefheart – did they not take your name and address when you purchased the bike?

Baxi duo-tec.

Installed last April. Works perfectly.

People have shown impressive reserve not pointing out this should obviously moved to chat….

Ha quite.

I guess I meant ‘newer’.

It’s funny, I popped into Evans on my lunch last week and asked what do they do in a 26er. Guy looked at me as though as I’d asked for a pop-tart breakfast and a Betamax cassette….

Looks like you may end up with a 650B frame, forks and wheels then?

I’m still waiting for them to explicitly state they are replacing the frame under warranty anything above that is a bonus.

I’d be more than happy with 2012 frame replacement, as that is what I bought, I’m not looking for a free upgrade.

Will give the store another call this afternoon.

First of all, very unlikely they just have a frame. Secondly he can check the store stock in about 30s on their computers.

Warehouse stock can be checked with a 2 minute phone call.

Distributor stock checked within an hour I reckon.

Yea that’s why it’s a bit suss that it’s taking this long. We will wait and see I guess. I thought it was unlikely that they would have the frame – I actually questioned whether they’d have the 2012 frame when I took it back (given the new model is a 650b I think), the chap said he would have to check.

It just seems to me they wouldn’t even bother checking if they weren’t going to honour the warranty.

If push comes to the proverbial Matt Davies only lives round the corner :D

After not hearing anything yesterday I called up and spoke to the store manager.

He said that they were currently checking whether they had the frame in stock.

I think this means, or would lead me to believe, that they are happy to replace the frame (my logic is that why else would they be checking to see if it was on stock unless they had every intention of replacing it).

BTW Mulv1976 mine is indeed the 2012 model.

I’m not “freaking out” (not yet!), just some nervousness.

I actually really like Halfords, and I would recommend the Boardman FS to anyone – assuming there isn’t an inherent problem with frame. Maybe I’m a bit sensitive, but I just wanted a friendly face and a “We’ll sort it for you, don’t worry about it for a minute.”

Ha, quite.

I wasn’t going to get into a discussion about whether a full suss MTB is really a cross country bike, but as it happens all my riding is what I’d consider ‘XC’.

I hate confrontation, so I’m dreading the call tomorrow.

*Update*

Took the bike in today. Explained how the bolt came out and pointed out the crack in the frame. Cue much sucking in air through teeth. “You know these aren’t made for throwing around?”
“Yes – I was on the Marin Train in North Wales”
“It’s sold as a cross country bike not an all-mountain bike”

I assured the chap I hadn’t been throwing it off 2m drops….

“There lots of damage on the frame” (points to paint chips on chain stay)

I pointed out that it’s purely cosmetic, and reasonable for a bike almost two years old (am I wrong?)

So he said the mechanic will need to look over it and they’ll let me know tomorrow. Feeling pretty deflated tbh and made to feel as though they were doing me a favour. Not sure this represents the ‘exceptional levels of customer service’ Matt Davies talk about.

Good – Evans – Price matched my Trek Madone (even though it wasn’t on their “list” of companies and a good bike fitting. They didn’t know everything about the components, but did try their best to find out, which is all I can really ask for.

The chap knocked 20% of everything else I bought (torque wrench) which was a nice touch.

TBD – Halfords. Snapped frame last weekend, it’s only been a few days but no response yet….

Bad – Cross Country Rail (I know they’re nothing to do with bikes, but they are truly truly shite)

I know it’s not Halfords’ fault, maybe I’m just a pessimist. I sincerely hope it goes as smoothly as you describe.

Yea, I like the Marin trail.

I’m away with a mix of people (a few ride occasionally, most do not), so probably only be able to squeeze one day in.

We’re based in the village so can make a decision in the morning to pedal to either Penmachno or Marin.

Good stuff.

Just for clarification is Loop 1 Dolen Machno and Loop 2 Deloen Eryri?

If it’s heinous I’ll just do the Marin trail. Mrs88’s cousin has a B&B in Betws (next to the bridge on the river – Swn y Dwr Guest House check it out!) so I can always do it another time.

Crikey slimporcini, high praise indeed! I only planned on doing one of the loops – is one noticeably better than the other?

Not on my own, but equally I’m not with people that are very experienced, so wouldn’t want them getting in to difficulty half way round.

Soul destroying in what way – mushy ground? Or just general feeling of desolation?

Sorry wysiwyg I said you’ll have to SHOUT

Good stuff, thanks. Get’s pretty busy then?

Thanks Chris. Yep, it’s the same one as the Evans one – they’d incorrectly answered the question on their website!

Still, I’m very happy with it and going to push the button after a fitting tomorrow.

Yep, thanks for the thread.

Despite convincing myself I was going to hold on for a road bike I’ve just got Evans to price match the Trek Madone 4.9 ultegra Di2 for £1595.

This thread’s got a lot to answer for…

That Trek looks nice, but isn’t that the older, 10 speed version of Ultegra Di2? Is that likely to be an issue?

It seems to be the Ultegra Di2 6870 (according to the Q&A on the Evans website), which is the 2014 issue isn’t it?

What about this:
http://www.merlincycles.com/sensa-giulia-ultegra-6800-di2-special-57854.html

Sorry to hijack, looking at this as my next road bike, any one have any thoughts?

I’ll do my trademark “Gap jump – dead sailor – dislocated shoulder” combo – it’s a real crowd pleaser.

I don’t watch Emmerdale, but I imagine it to be an omnipresent unfunny Last of the Summer Wine. So like Last of the Summer Wine really.

This.

This will be the crowning glory of my life. I have already e-mailed her from 4 addresses to increase the odds.

And yes, I will be turning up on a DH rig wearing a camelbak

slowoldman – I’m afraid you’ve assumed I have even the basic understanding of how things I use on a daily basis actually work

I often think how rich I’d be if I could travel back in time (to the 13th century or something) and “invent” the combustion engine or similar. I’d be rich beyond my wildest dream and hailed as a god. Then I remember I have no idea how that works, so would just be another peasant – but with a useless knowledge of Aston Villa c.1990-2014

avdave2 – YES! Let the business planning commence!

I think keeping the surface clean would be the biggest obstacle.

I had a weird dream about an electro-magnet you could turn on and off on a handle bar mount. Mind you, I was also riding Rampage on a fixie….