back to bikes - what's going on?

Floss

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
citricsquid said:
Does anyone know what the deal with is Back2Bikes at the moment? They posted "After a few difficult weeks, we are now fully open with all services in place" on Facebook on March 7th. Where are they now, Browning Street as mentioned in this thread, or Grey Friars as stated on their website? Any pointers would be appreciated, I have a few bikes to donate. Thanks.
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There was a piece in the paper recently, after a difficult time they continue to be open I'm sure it was in the newsletter.
 
G

Gerald Matthewson

Newbie
I visited back2bikes recently and what a dump it is! I test rode a bike that was for sale. It was dirty, high priced and the wheel nearly came off on the car park. When I asked if the mechanics were qualified I was told no!!!!!! No industry qualifications for a company that completes services and repairs. I would stay well clear of this place as they obviously have not got a clue. Reading other comments they are having problems but don't waste your hard earned money in this place. If your child was test riding a bike and the wheel fell off would you be happy????
 
S

Stafford_Drummer

A few posts under my belt
Whole place is a joke.
People give them bikes and they just then stick a sale sign on them.
They are not services or safety checked.
They then sell them over priced and with no care.
Just spend slightly more and get a new bike with a warranty.
75% of the bikes that are donated are scrapped to line the board members pockets.
They are working far from the services they should be and far from the pledge they made to become a charity.
Who checks a charity and how they operate? No one by the looks of them.
All the trustees are ex- councilers - tax scam maybe.
 
proactive

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Stafford_Drummer said:
Whole place is a joke.
People give them bikes and they just then stick a sale sign on them.
They are not services or safety checked.
They then sell them over priced and with no care.
Just spend slightly more and get a new bike with a warranty.
75% of the bikes that are donated are scrapped to line the board members pockets.
They are working far from the services they should be and far from the pledge they made to become a charity.
Who checks a charity and how they operate? No one by the looks of them.
All the trustees are ex- councilers - tax scam maybe.
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And the actual evidence you have to support this is?
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
Stafford_Drummer said:
There is no mechanic there, he left as we're not paying him.

All the bikes are over priced.

Don't need evidence it's fact.
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Have you been in there yourself? I just fail to see how you can of had such a different experience to me....

Yes, they do sell unserviced bikes - they tell you clearly that they haven't been touched or serviced since they were donated & that's why they are cheaper - many people find bike fixing easy (not me!) and can do it themselves.

I also fail to see why there wouldn't be anyone there fixing/servicing them? There were at least 3 lads doing just that when I was last in ?

Its not flippin' Halfords!
 
G

Gerald Matthewson

Newbie
I was still told the mechanics are not qualified by a gentleman at the counter

Would you see a dentist that was not qualified? Doctor? Car mechanic? No you wouldn't. If they are qualified back2bikes need to show the certificate gained by each employee. If you take your bike ask to see a certificate! Maybe management at back2bikes need to come on this forum and answer some questions
 
kyoto49

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Gerald Matthewson said:
I was still told the mechanics are not qualified by a gentleman at the counter

Would you see a dentist that was not qualified? Doctor? Car mechanic? No you wouldn't. If they are qualified back2bikes need to show the certificate gained by each employee. If you take your bike ask to see a certificate! Maybe management at back2bikes need to come on this forum and answer some questions
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Have to agree here, service a bike wrongly and serious injury can be caused. If the brakes fail, or the wheel comes off, or the steering goes wrong it can be life-threatening. I was disillusioned with back to bikes before this alleged revelation. I'm moving my custom to Specialised!!
 
S

Stafford_Drummer

A few posts under my belt
kyoto49 said:
Have to agree here, service a bike wrongly and serious injury can be caused. If the brakes fail, or the wheel comes off, or the steering goes wrong it can be life-threatening. I was disillusioned with back to bikes before this alleged revelation. I'm moving my custom to Specialised!!
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You could always try the lad who was a fully trained bike mechanic, who used to work there before the muppets who run it, forced all the staff to leave. Carnt think of his name but I believe he has set up on his own.
 
S

Stafford_Drummer

A few posts under my belt
littleme said:
Have you been in there yourself? I just fail to see how you can of had such a different experience to me....

Yes, they do sell unserviced bikes - they tell you clearly that they haven't been touched or serviced since they were donated & that's why they are cheaper - many people find bike fixing easy (not me!) and can do it themselves.

I also fail to see why there wouldn't be anyone there fixing/servicing them? There were at least 3 lads doing just that when I was last in ?

Its not flippin' Halfords!
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These people you saw were not trained mechanics but people on community service / community pay back, taking bikes apart for the scrap metal.
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
Stafford_Drummer said:
You could always try the lad who was a fully trained bike mechanic, who used to work there before the muppets who run it, forced all the staff to leave. Carnt think of his name but I believe he has set up on his own.
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Could it be @Stafford_Drummer by any chance? ;) ;)
Stafford_Drummer said:
These people you saw were not trained mechanics but people on community service / community pay back, taking bikes apart for the scrap metal.
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Yep, I know, but I did find that they did a good job & went out of their way to help us even when we explained we were on an extremely tight budget....
 
kyoto49

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Stafford_Drummer said:
You could always try the lad who was a fully trained bike mechanic, who used to work there before the muppets who run it, forced all the staff to leave. Carnt think of his name but I believe he has set up on his own.
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The one who kept casualty in work with his multiple and regular fractures? Tim I think his name was................??
 
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