Cycling UK Forum

There are still a number of people around who, like me have been good customers of SPA Cycles for many years and, built up a very good relationship with them.

The telephone was often answered by the boss John Pocklington (I believe is his name), the order was processed as mine was this time, and usually with complete satisfaction.

The number of older cyclists still buying from SPA is no doubt reducing and younger people are more confident about putting their financial details on the internet, I am not and a number of older people do not even use a computer.

It is clear that there are people who come onto this forum have not even heard of SPA Cycles and do not know the products they sell, this is obvious from the questions asked.

SPA are not as well known as many of the other mail order suppliers and probably need our business as much as an LBS.

It is my personal choice what I do with my own computer and the business of no other person.

We all have a choice, I do not follow the crowd as too many others do, just to suit some one else's commercial ambitions.

This thread was started to highlight the difficulties that can be had with SPA Cycles, in particular one of their employees.

Please keep to the subject and not start attacking someone for their personal choice. It is very common on here to attack someone because you do not agree with them.

As I started this thread, here is the latest:

The parcel arrived today, 3 days from order by phone, NOT 4 weeks as I was originally told. The order was not fulfilled correctly, they supplied Marathon Green Guard tyres instead of Delta Cruiser as ordered, they charged for the more expensive Marathons. Fortunately my sister accepted the more expensive option and paid. The order was for a number of items for the sort of money an LBS would welcome.

There are still a large number of people around who do not trust internet buying and I do not blame them.

Never forget, we should all have choice and not be forced to do things for the convenience of others.

The replies are appreciated and valued, however as someone who has had their identity stolen from the internet, I am very reluctant to go through all the hassle again.

I have previously had problems with the guy who answered the phone yesterday. I phoned again today and spoke the the manager, who said that he would speak to whoever it was who nearly lost them an order.

They have now taken the order and will deliver within a week and NOT 4 weeks as I was told yesterday.

Most people I know do not buy from Spa Cycles, they use Chain Reaction, Wiggle, St John Street Cycles, Evans and even Halfords

I also buy stuff from my LBS who do give discounts.

The question you have to ask is Do SPA have any competition, they probably do, quite a lot.

Hello All:

I have for many years obtained most of my cycle parts accessories and some clothing from SPA Cycles and always received very good service. I do not order anything over the internet.

I am probably not the only person who prefers direct contact.

I was very surprised this afternoon when I telephoned them to be told, that they were unable to take my order for 5 items with a value of over £150.

The gentleman on the phone said that telephone orders take 4 weeks to process as against 3 days for an online order.

I guess they can pick and chose which customers are valuable to them and those who have spent thousands of pounds over a few years no longer count.

Goodbye Spa Cycles, you obviously do not want your regular customers any more.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

For my own education.

I am not sure if I am reading the question correctly.

Do I assume that the bike currently has rim brakes and the OP wants to change to disc brakes?

Does this depend upon the frame and whether it has been built to accept either rim or disc brakes.

Sorry if I have missed something.

Let us know how you get on with the F W Evans, as far as I know they were a decent bike.

You will have a pleasant surprise, I am sure.

Thank you all for the replies,

I will try adjusting the brakes first and change the cables.

My Nephew claims he has adjusted the brakes but they bind and his son cannot turn the pedals, because the wheels are out of true.

I do not want to put him off riding before he starts.

I will grab the bike and sort it out while he is on holiday next week, I am sure I can improve it with a little work.

He is a demon on his strider.

Next bike will be Frog or Isla, bought by Great Uncle.

Hello All.

My Nephew has just bought a second hand Apollo Kids bike for his 3 year old Son. A brief look shows that the wheels are a bit out of true and there are other minor maintenance issues. The bike looks ok paint wise but needs a bit of looking after.

I have trued up 700c wheels ok but concerned if it is possible to do the same with 12 inch cheapo wheels.

It does look as though easing the brakes off a bit would allow the wheels to go round. At the moment they bind on each revolution.

Being a cheap bike (£10 paid second hand), what are the pitfalls of trying to improve it and make it rideable, ie bearing maintenance.

Little lad cannot pedal it as not enough strength in his legs to overcome the binding brakes.

Nephew would not listen when advised about buying something decent.

It would cause offence if I went out and bought a Frog or Isla.

Thanks for your advice on this.

Have you looked at what Spa Cycles has to offer, bikes designed by cyclists for cyclists. At reasonable prices with choice of setup.

How about a good leather worker or re-upholsterer, OR even the Repair Shop on BBC TV.

Hope this helps.

You can spend a fortune and waste a huge amount of time trying to get the right saddle.

I suggest you start from getting the fore aft and saddle height right first. There has been a lot of advice about getting saddles further back and often too high.

Start from the basic, check the vertical line between the nose of the saddle and the bottom bracket, the nose of the saddle should be about 25 -30mm behind the bottom bracket and the saddle height should be adjusted roughly to your hip bone when standing next to the bike. Ride like this for a number of miles and see how comfortable you feel.

Too many people ride with their saddle far too low or too high or too far back or forward.

Starting from scratch could save you a lot of time and money.

I have been riding for 60 years and learnt the hard way, even bought a Specialized cut out saddle which was very uncomfortable until I started from the basics outlined above. I prefer Brooks leather saddles and can adjust them for comfort in the same way.

Best of luck.

I hope this helps

On my 105 the model number is on the outside of the lever under the rubber.

If you pull the rubber forward, you should see the model number embossed in the plastic, near to where the lever is attached to the handlebar.

I had to use a torch and magnifying glass, but I am quite old.

Andy

Before committing to a bike rack, it is worth checking that the carrying vehicle is capable of carrying the load.

Best to check the combined weight of the bikes and compare to the carrying capacity.

The law was changed a few years ago and there should be advice in your handbook as well as the bike rack manufacturers manual.

Agree in a lot of cases you will need a number plate and lighting board.

I have seen some horrors recently, tiny cars with far too many bikes.

Andy

Hello Mickeyluv.

From the Dawes 2011 brochure there were 26 inch and 700c wheeled versions.

The 26 inch wheeled version had 16,18,or 20 inch frame and 700c wheeled version 18, 20 & 22 inch frame.

The frame appears to be measured from centre bottom bracket to top of seat tube, the metric equivalents were also given at 406 mm, 457mm and 508 mm.

Top tube measurements for 26 inch wheeled version, 16 inch = 525mm, 18 inch = 554mm and 20 inch = 570 mm

Seat tube angles were 72.5 or 72 degrees, quite unusual for modern bikes.

Hope this helps.

Andy

Hello Antonish.

It is often recommended to use a few drops olive oil several times a day for a couple of weeks, doing it myself at the moment. Too much is messy!!!

The volume on the radio had to be increased, then I was moaned at for it being too loud.

As the doctor said " Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear"