chain reaction cycles

[ge0rge]

Have to say without a shadow of a doubt that since 1992/3 whenever i first discovered these guys who could deliver almost next day for free; mtb parts, clothing and mx gear without hassle and have a top returns policy. Id recommend to anyone in the cycling world !

[okgo]

Untill they release your card details to any Tom Dick and Harry you mean?

[HundredthIdiot]

They're crap now. High prices, slow delivery and the complete ballsup with security means Paypal is now necessary which adds a few clicks.

I cannot forgive them for the massive hassle I had dealing with thousands of euros of fraud, for which I was compensated precisely nothing.

Wiggle are now cheaper and faster, in my experience.

[Highrisedrifter]

Thankfully, I stopped using CRC after getting a bit of bad service some time ago, but lots of people I know have been defrauded as a result of their security system flaws. Lots of talk about it on Bikeradar.

[anonymous-user]

far too many other people on the web doing components etc at a very similar price to steer me away i'm afraid, especially after the security issues.

[the_kato]

I've not used them ever since that card hacking, they used to be great but the way they were refusing to accept it was their fault really put me off

[Beyond Rational]

I too was singing their praises until recently. They're great until something goes wrong.

[anonymous-user]

Sometimes they are good for one or two bits you can't get from elsewhere cheaper. But that is now few and far between as their prices don't seem as competitive as they used to be.

Merlin seem to get most of my online business, although their stocking levels and parts carried are sometimes a bit hit & miss.

A small LBS that does online and is great for bulk buying disc brake pads is Lex mountain bikes. 4x pairs (8 pads) aztec sintered for most makes £30!!

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 27th July 22:00

[Uriel]

I've stopped using them for small items since they've got that automagic box packing machine thing which means your brake pads now come in a box big enough to fit a small dog into, meaning that things I can get through the door from any other company now would require a trip to the post office to collect.

[Jimbo.]

Prices are no better than anywhere else on the 'net (nor what my LBS can do), delivery is slower, and security is questionable. I prefer Merlin for cheapy-cheap-cheap, or if I want a bit more choice for the same/less £££ as CRC, Wiggle (who are VERY good IME).

[Stedman]

Been out of the biking world for a few years now, but can't believe their CC security was hacked

[RRS_Staffs]

youve all forgotten the Wiggle hack then?

I was given a shiny new credit card with brand new numbers after that one
Again no apology

[Pablo16v]

RRS_Staffs said:

youve all forgotten the Wiggle hack then?

I was given a shiny new credit card with brand new numbers after that one
Again no apology

Yup, that was a biggie. I also had to get a new credit card after that fiasco a few years ago. Having said that, on occassion I still use Wiggle (usually when they send me a £5 voucher), and I'm still happy to use CRC despite the fraud problem they had recently.

[untakenname]

Used to be a loyal customer but have had problems with crc not replacing a defective cycle part, was cleary defective yet they denied it which means I shall not be using them again.

[cjs]

CRC gave me a £25 credit after the security issue. Have used them since but go through Paypal now. Still given good service and pricing however they do not seem to have the bargains they used too. Have bought brakes and shocks from Merlin because they have been cheaper.

[a11y_m]

I don't automatically go to CRC when I'm looking to buy something: in the past I pretty much did because 99% of the time they were the cheapest anyway, but now they're much the same prices as most other online bike shops. Speed of delivery ain't what it used to be either.

Saying that, they're still one of the better online retailers in my experiences. Apart from wheels: Merlin are the masters for that IMO.

[Garlick]

They're not shy with the promotional emails either.

[okgo]

Garlick said:

They're not shy with the promotional emails either.

None of them are really wiggle are worse I think.

I buy most of my gear from LBS now I get a 10% discount on everything.

[MadDad]

Personally I think CRC are just about on par with the other on-line bike stores. Although I hold an account with most of the on-line shops I usually pay via Paypal to add a little security to my transactions, have always been a bit paranoid about sending card details over the .net.

I had a terrible experience with Wiggle about a month ago over a missed delivery, prior to that I had a huge issue with Evans and a damaged delivery but equally have had the odd issue with CRC in the past. That said, 99% of all online transactions from all retailers usually pass without incident and are delivered within a couple of days!

Two companies that have been consistently good at deliveries and prices have been Merlin and On-One.

As for prices I think they are all much of a much, the best way to shop on the 'tinternet is by checking various web sites. I built a steel hardtail over the past 2 months and bought all of the parts (apart from the saddle) from the 'tinternet. I made up a 'wish list' of parts and spent time surfing the web to find the best prices, cost me a little time but I saved a fortune by shopping around.

I found that some of the best savings were from bike shops with an internet site, for instance I managed to pickup a Howitzer Bottom Bracket from a small shop 'oop North' for £20 in a clearance sale.

Back to CRC, they have some great prices on Crank Bros stuff at the moment. . . .

[P-Jay]

They're no longer my default choice for stuff, I tend to spread it about Merlin, Superstar, Wiggle, We love Mountains and CRC (plus anyone else who looks credible on Google Shop)

They do have some very good points, they for example sell very unusual small items like Avid spares, replacement hangers for my Cove (£90!!) lots of Hope spare etc you could usually only get by begging your LBS to look up or trying to deal with the manufacturers directly and waiting forever.

I never suffered personally, nor did anyone I know directly from their security problems, frankly I thought it was a sort of urban myth for a while, but I always paid via PayPal anyway as theirs always some money sitting around in my PP account.

One practice I don't like of theirs is the way they 'fudge' the Google Shopping thing by selling 1 odd size or type of a product at a silly price to push the others. Wiggle and Merlin are the other way, they quotes prices on google shopping, but when I log-in and get my VIP / Gold Discount they're usually cheaper.

Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 2nd August 14:40