Bikes, Taxis, Elections

[-Lsqnot Respond]

(Responding to various threads with a new one.)

In the end I cadged a lift to the bike shop so I have yet to
find out whether local taxis will take bikes. Although the
firm with my account bloody well ought to.

My new bike can be seen here

http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bike-
_pics.html

Previously, I've never (a) bought a bike from Halfords, (b)
owned a 26" wheel machine, (c) used a hub gear (well, since
I was about 6).

Halfords was interesting. The young lads were desperately
trying to be helpful but it was pretty apparent that I
probably knew more about bikes than they did. Which is is
disappointing considering how little I know.

When I spotted a small scuff on the handlebar they were far
too quick (from their employer's POV) to offer me 15 ukp
off. Which I then talked up to 25 ukp worth of accesories. A
shame I couldn't think of anything I actually needed and
ended up taking the 15 quid.

Apparently they've been selling "loads" of these bikes.
And the shop lad was as suprised by this as I was. I was
fairly certain that there couldn't be even a single other
person buying a hub geared MTB let alone "loads" of like
minded oddballs.

Re elections: As someone pointed out, I was a bit busy
last night until about 0430. But I held onto both my seat
and my majority. I've been told I featured on Meridian TV
this morning.

[David Off]

[Not Responding] wrote:

> (Responding to various threads with a new one.)
>
> In the end I cadged a lift to the bike shop so I have yet
> to find out whether local taxis will take bikes.

I would say no... at least that is my experience.

[David Hansen]

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 15:22:27 +0100 someone who may be "[Not
Responding]" <not_responding@dev.null.invalid> wrote this:-

>Re elections: As someone pointed out, I was a bit busy last
>night until about 0430. But I held onto both my seat and my
>majority.

Congratulations.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number
F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK
government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

[Zog The Undenia]

[Not Responding] wrote:
> (Responding to various threads with a new one.)
>
> In the end I cadged a lift to the bike shop so I have yet
> to find out whether local taxis will take bikes. Although
> the firm with my account bloody well ought to.
>
> My new bike can be seen here
>
> http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bik-
> e_pics.html

I rather like those bikes. Isn't it the one that C+
reviewed?

[-Lsqnot Respond]

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 17:59:32 +0100, Zog The Undeniable
<hrothgar19@yahoo.com> wrote:

>[Not Responding] wrote:
>> (Responding to various threads with a new one.)
>>
>> In the end I cadged a lift to the bike shop so I have yet
>> to find out whether local taxis will take bikes. Although
>> the firm with my account bloody well ought to.
>>
>> My new bike can be seen here
>>
>> http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bi-
>> ke_pics.html
>
>I rather like those bikes. Isn't it the one that C+
>reviewed?

Yup. C+ did a short review last month.

[Al C-F]

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 15:22:27 +0100, "[Not Responding]"
<not_responding@dev.null.invalid> wrote:

>(Responding to various threads with a new one.)
>
>In the end I cadged a lift to the bike shop so I have yet
>to find out whether local taxis will take bikes. Although
>the firm with my account bloody well ought to.

Managed to get two bikes and riders into a taxi from
Portsmouth Harbour. It was an estate of some kind, paid for
by P&O who ran an exceptionally sloppy service that night
that meant I missed the last train home.

Taxi driver was encouraged to accommodate the bikes by the
P&O droid - who probably worried that the alternative was
two taxis at his expense.
--

Cheers,

Al

[Al C-F]

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 15:22:27 +0100, "[Not Responding]"
<not_responding@dev.null.invalid> wrote:

>When I spotted a small scuff on the handlebar they were far
>too quick (from their employer's POV) to offer me 15 ukp
>off. Which I then talked up to 25 ukp worth of accesories.
>A shame I couldn't think of anything I actually needed and
>ended up taking the 15 quid.

It needs mudguards and a rack. Nice bike for commuting &
shopping though. I was admiring one the other day in the
newly opened Halfords near me.
--

Cheers,

Al

[Doctor J. Frink]

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 15:22:27 +0100, [Not Responding]
<not_responding@dev.null.invalid> wrote:
>
>My new bike can be seen here
>
>http://notonmywatch.blogs.com/not_on_my_watch/2004/06/bike-
>_pics.html

Ah, one of those. I contemplated getting one of them when I
was scouting round for a replacement bike for one that got
nicked but in the end I got a Dawes Discovery 201 from a
local "proper bike shop" (Roy Pink in Newport Pagnell).

>Previously, I've never (a) bought a bike from Halfords, (b)
>owned a 26" wheel machine, (c) used a hub gear (well, since
>I was about 6).
>
>Halfords was interesting. The young lads were desperately
>trying to be helpful but it was pretty apparent that I
>probably knew more about bikes than they did. Which is is
>disappointing considering how little I know.

I had the same experience when I got a Carerra Crossfire
from these clowns last year. They were willing to help and
friendly but this didn't change the fact that they were just
teenage bmx-ers. Useful if you want a bmx but otherwise
worse than useless.

The build quality on my bike wasn't bad but it wasn't overly
good either, they didn't have much useful information on
what I would need and I suspect that, like you, I knew more
than they did.

My latest purchase was much more like it. Staff who knew
their onions (and bikes). Sorted me out with what I wanted,
fixed up the bike (and all the extras I bought) in front of
me. They were happy (even insistent) to send me off on a
test ride right from the start and the first 'shake-down'
service is for free. Gobs of advice on what accessories I
might need, ride position and so on and very friendly chit-
chat (even if Roy does go on a bit ;0).

I now only use Halfords for extras I can't find in dedicated
bike shops. I should have originally stood by my moto of
buying goods from specialised shops (ie bikes from bike
shops, tvs from tv shops, hifis from hifi shops etc) and not
chain stores. It pays in the long run.

Frink

--
Doctor J. Frink : 'Rampant Ribald Ringtail' See his mind
here : http://www.cmp.liv.ac.uk/frink/ Annoy his mind here :
pjf at cmp dot liv dot ack dot ook "No sir, I didn't like
it!" - Mr Horse