Halfords Carrera Crossfire range - views?

[Malcolm Stewart]

Am contemplating purchase of one of these hybrids, currently priced from 270 to 450 GBP, and am
looking for comments from all you knowledgeable people. Why Halfords? Because from where I live, I'm
in easy distance of several Bike Huts, and can compare different models and frame sizes in the range
(as opposed to say just one Dawes Discovery). Why Crossfire? Seems to offer features as standard I
haven't seen elsewhere such as mudguards, rear pannier frame etc. Middle of range, the 2000 (350
GBP), has Shimano Alivio rear derailleur whilst for 100 GBP more, Deore is on offer plus Deore hubs.
Bottom model, the 1000, has what looks like an extra low (i.e. large) sprocket with a big jump in
size from the next in size. Sprung front fork at this price - waste of weight / cash? Sprung seat
tube - ditto?

Was a bit surprised at weight of Crossfire 1000 bike in view of the aluminium frame - my current 10
year old Emmelle Promenade has a steel frame & wheels and weighs 38lb.

LBS has a few Ridgeback models in stock.

Current uses : mixture of cycleways, roads, and perhaps some tracks as I try to regain fitness and
lose weight.

Many thanks for advice
--
M Stewart Milton Keynes, UK www.megalith.freeserve.co.uk/oddimage.htm

[Wafflydirtycatl]

If you buy from Halfords you may get good service, but you equally well may not.

Be prepared to have to take the bike back on more than one occasion. The staff may well be willing
to help (if not always knowing their subject), so can actually be not a load of use even if they are
very friendly and polite in being thus :-)

Also the quality control of products is often less than even basically desirable in my experience,
so what *seems* to be a good buy can turn out not to be.

Personal examples - local manager very helpful in sorting out a problem on son't ancient bike.
Bought accessories from Halfords - *most* have had to go back for exchange due to faulty
merchandise. Got son a *basic* MTB from Halford to use on the school run (no way he's leaving his
road bike at school) and it went back three times... I have never had a problem returning stuff to
Halfords, but it would be nice that it didn't happen so regularly. As a result I am seriously
dubious about buying a bike from Halfords and only ever use them as a "last resort".

Best of luck, helen s

~~~~~~~~~~
This is sent from a redundant email Mail sent to it is dumped My correct one can be gleaned from
h$**$*$el$**e$n$**$d$**$o$*$t**$$s$**$im$mo$ns*@a$**o$l.c$$*o$*m*$ by getting rid of the
overdependence on money and fame
~~~~~~~~~~