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[Ghost of Repton]

Ha ha, I see some fool in Tesco assembled a bike with the forks the wrong way round.  It was on one of the display models in the window last week    
This has been happening with alarming regularity in Asda & Tesco stores across the country    If the people that sell them can't get it right, what chance do the customers have when they buy one of these flat-pack death traps? 
 
BSO's are dangerous and do not encourage people to cycle or make cycling enjoyable
 
Please read the links below... 
 
http://www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/articles.asp?article=NO_BSO
 
http://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/
 
http://bicycleshapedobject.wordpress.com/
 
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/Bike_Shaped_Object
 
See what I mean...
 
 

[adamedwardsteather]

We had to turn away a mother with kids from one of our events earlier this year due to poor assembly.  She was shocked as she had no idea the front forks were wrong.
 
Moral of this story:  Use the real local bike shops and buy something decent.  Any bikes for less than £250-300 will be made with rubbish components that won't last. 
 
I know it's a bit late now for Xmas, but for kids bikes, look at Puky (German) and Islabikes (British) for quality that will last several children. 
 
 
Adam

[sillylily]

Neither can Halfords.  I had a childs bike assembled at St Albans and when I took it for it's 6 week service at Stevenage and complained about the brakes not working, I was told that they had actually been put on the wrong way round!

[Ghost of Repton]

@sillylily

Neither can Halfords.  I had a childs bike assembled at St Albans and when I took it for it's 6 week service at Stevenage and complained about the brakes not working, I was told that they had actually been put on the wrong way round!

That's why they're known as 'Halfrauds' on many cycling forums I frequent.  Of course there are some stores that do have a knowledgable person or two but in general they don't seem to know the back end of a bike from the from the front end.  I would never dream of going there to buy a bike.  (though sadly the same can be said of some cycle stores that are main stockists for very respectable brands).
 
http://ottmountainbike.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=lbs1&action=display&thread=43 

[Henrycrun]

this why you should always buy from a proper bike shop: BBC watchdog report - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/11/flat_pack_bikes.html
These are often called Bicycle Shaped Objects and are so heavy and ride so badly that they sadly put people off cycling forever.
(And no, I don't work in the bike trade)

[Ghost of Repton]

this why you should always buy from a proper bike shop: BBC watchdog report - [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/11/flat_pack_bikes.html]http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/11/flat_pack_bikes.html[/url]
These are often called Bicycle Shaped Objects and are so heavy and ride so badly that they sadly put people off cycling forever.
(And no, I don't work in the bike trade)

your post is basically the same as my original post -did you actually bother to read it? My third link gives you a bit of background and then has a link to the watchdog article.  You may have well just copied & pasted it all

[Henrycrun]

No I didn't - sorry

[Kay]

Ghost of Repton - Henry was trying to help! I also thought of that Watchdog programme where they tried assembling different bicicles from different shops.
tt4n
Kay