John B said:Yesterday I was training a young lad who's Mum had just bought him a new
bike two days earlier - full suspenson, all the gizmos, gaudy go fast
colour/decals and a 'bargain' at under a £100.
Yes, it was from H*lf*rds.
Mum went there because she had wanted a shop "that knew what they were
doing", and she had already tried ToysRUs.
Despite it having been "fitted" it was far too small and he was riding
with his legs *very* bent.
I went to raise the saddle only to find the seat pin was way above its
safe limit with the limit markings already 15mm above the tube - this is
how it had been sold.
Mum has called H*lf*rds and passed on my anger that they had adjusted an
already too small bike into a dangerous one.
It would be nice to believe that the letter written by this newsgroup
and copied to the Halford's Chairman earlier this year had had an
impact.
It would seem it has not.
=============
I write to you as a Cycle Touring Club accredited cycling instructor
and school teacher for the daughter of one of your customers.
Mrs L***** bought a bicycle and cycle helmet from you for her
daughter's birthday two weeks ago. The bike is the right size for
J*****'s use and the saddle height is correct. However, the bicycle
was supplied in an unroadworthy condition and the cycle helmet was
incorrectly fitted to J*****'s head. With the essential repairs
outlined below, the bike is ideal for J*****'s use.
On the bike, one of the front brake blocks is incorrectly adjusted so
only half of it is in contact with the wheel rim; you will need to
correct this. The front brake cannot be properly used, as the brake
lever contacts the handle bar, this makes it impossible to fully apply
the brake. There are strict regulations about supplying new bikes with
incorrectly adjusted brakes. I have made some improvement to this
using the cable adjuster at the brake lever end, but it requires
further correction. The chainring gear cable is severely frayed and
needs repair or replacement. The other gear and brake cables need to
be cut back and capped. Since 1 May 2004 it has been mandatory for
all new bicycles to be fitted with a working bell; J*****'s bike
wasn't supplied with a bell.
The helmet's straps were too loose, and if dislodged the helmet could
have come off J*****'s head and trapped around the back of her head
with the straps around her neck. The four straps, two either side of
the helmet, should have been adjusted to pass either side of the ear,
with the connector below the ear. Your staff had fitted it so the
connectors on both sides were above J*****'s ear. I have made the
necessary adjustments, but you must ensure that your staff are
properly trained.
I am writing to you, rather than trading standards, so that you can
make the essential repairs. The bike will still need its standard six
week service.
