I'm resurrecting the blog because I think I need a space to drop thoughts about cycling topics that won't fit in 140 characters and, well, I already have this cycling related blog thing all set up.
So. what has prompted this?
Back in January when I was on my Level 2 Mechanic course (of which, possibly more later) we heard the announcement that Halfords and Pinarello had agreed to stock the Italian bikes (now synonymous with Team Sky and British road success) from this year.
The intial response, both amongst the people with whom I was speaking and in the broader online world, was mostly one of derision and doubt. I shared some of the doubts but reserved judgement on the proviso that Halfords have done relatively well with the Boardman brand and if they were careful and actually controlled the staff who would be dealing with these bikes, then the potentially random and varied skill (or otherwise) set of a nationwide workforce could be mitigated.
Yesterday I saw the online announcement that the bikes have now gone into stores and are available online.
As previously announced, the range only goes up to the ROKH (105) so no Dogmas for sale to the budding Wiggo, but the road range is as follows:
FP Uno - Aluminium (mix of 105 shifters and Tiagra drive train)
FP Uno - Carbon (Campag Veloce, which stands out somewhat from the Shimano ubiquity of the others)
FP Due - Carbon (105 throughought 24HM carbon frame)
FP Quatro - Carbon (105 throughout 30HM carbon frame) and the
ROKH - Carbon (105 throughout 30HM carbon frame)
There is also the Catena "vintage" style single speed (flip flop single speed/fixie), the "Only the Brave" single speed (likely to be a real "marmite" bike) and the Treviso flat bar city bike
There is also the FP ZERO kids road bike.
The first notable thing is that they have only put the bikes into a very small number of stores (3) and the Farnborough store, a few miles from me, was one of the chosen sites. I thought I'd go and have a look.
Before doing so, I had a quick look at the website as they are also available online. A couple of noticeable things are the Catena is shown as a flat bar (the instore version is drop barred) and the Rokh and FP Quatro photographs don't match the published spec (the ROKH photo is on Campag and the FP Quatro is on Shimano Ultegra).
I wanted to go with an open mind and see what the point of sale setup, staff and general "experience" would be like.
On arrival at the store, there is nothing on the outside to mention the new range, nor on the inside before one goes up stairs to the BikeHut area. It is notable that they have completely restructured the store upstairs with a more structured display for their "name" brands and a more light and open feel to the whole area. in the far corner of the store is a big yellow display with a huge picture of Sir Bradley and the Pinarello range on display. There was one of each of the bikes noted above (apart from the FPZero which is also not showing on the website after the front page)
Obviously the store was fairly quiet on a Febraury Tuesday at 11 am, but within a few moments of starting to look at the range I was asked if I needed any help by the sales manager. He was friendly and helpful, answering questions on the spec and differences between what look like very similar bikes (the top 3 on the range all being 105 throughout, 2 being FP derived and 2 being 30HM frames), was keen to point out that as well as the displayed range and colourways, they would be able to order in other versions/colours directly from Pinarello although he also explained the possible delays.
Talking a little more technically, he mentioned that he'd just been on the Cytech 3 road course with some of his colleagues and explained that with himself, permanent and semi-permanent staff they had a total of 9 Cytech 3 level mechanics on staff to support the Pinarello venture (and obviously this will also benefit the general level of service for any customer). I did get the "campag wears in when other groupsets wear out" comment when we were discussing the Veloce gruppo on the FP Uno.
He wasn't aware of the geared version of the Catena, but quickly went off to look it up for me and was friendly, helpful and engaged me in relevant conversation (asking what bikes and styles of riding I did).
So, Halfords have invested in the staff that are handling the Pinarello brand in store.
They are controlling the number of outlets which will minimise potentially variable service levels
The staff are qualified mechanics and, the manager at least, had a good knowledge of the range.
I know that simply by being Halfords, many cyclists wouldn't go near the place, but I genuienly think a degree of thought and effort has been put into this venture and, for the person in the street who wants to "ride a bike like Bradley", they should get a level of knowledgeable service that shouldn't damage the Pinarello brand by being badly built or set up. By being selective on the range (nothing above 105) that they are stocking, it is also clear that the more serious and informed cyclist would always be directed to more specialist resellers.
Oh, and the Catena really is rather pretty in the flesh too....
