Hattons Cycles @ Illovo Eston Race absolutely useless

[Nicko]

Funny enough, when chatting with Navin, the owner of Hattons, who happens to have been the one who served the OP, he remembered the incident very well.

 

What I can say is that, when you were one of the people attended to in the rush before the race and the person that served you remembers you well, it raises questions.

Anyone wanting an alternate view of the incident, pop into Hattons.

 

The original post sounded way off too me, but eish, Nicko, eish.....

 

Beyond the 2 sides to the story, I'm still keen to know why the OP did not get a quote from Jowetts, who were set up alongside Hattons, who, if Navin was over charging for the service, would have been cheaper.

Secondly, given the width of an 11speed quick link, it would not close/engage on a 10speed chain, but then again I could be wrong. Perhaps the OP could post a couple pics of the offending link in place, to confirm his allegation.

 

Jowetts was there... and in hindsight I would have gone to them. However, I was about to miss my race, so I didn't have time to get a second opinion. A secondly if you want question the truthfulness of this, phone mark at Good2go in pinetown, my bikes there now, ask him what link was put in the chain...

 

 

HI GUYS. KOVILIN AT KT CYCLES PTN -EX HATTONS IS AN APPROACHABLE GUY WHO WILL KEEP THE SHOP OPEN FOR YOU AFTER HRS IF YOU STRANDED AND EVEN LEND YOU EQUIPMENT IF NEED BE.

HE OPENED THE SHOP FOR ME AT 4 AM AND SORTED MY BIKE OUT.

A HUMBLE MAN WHO NEEDS OUR SUPPORT.

 

No, I know the guy from KT Cycles, he's a genuine guy!!! Really looks out for the best interest of his customers.

[Scotty P]

Slightly off topic but about good service. My tyre burst about 15k's from the end of the 60k route and just about every person who came past asked if i was ok or needed help. Nice to see lots of caring riders out there after lots of negative reports lately. Thank you to all who offered to help.

 

It was my pleasure.....................doubt I could have stopped at that stage though, I was in auto pilot :-D

[Scotty P]

I agree with you. I've been trying to learn. However my 6 months of riding, doesn't quite equate to the experience of your 13 years. And secondly, I didn't have the tools to DIY. When you go to somebody who's only job is to know how to repair/fix bikes, you'd expect them to be of some help.

 

Not trying to discredit your point, but unfortunately I'm not currently at that point where I know everything about bikes. Sometime you have to learn the hard way, like I did on the weekend

 

I found that chatting to the chaps at my LBS helped. I suppose it also helps that I went to school with the owner. Ask if you can sit in for a morning (or as long as you can allow) and see what they do. Especially when servicing your bike. It's good learning & most bike shops will accommodate........

[Skott5]

A secondly if you want question the truthfulness of this, phone mark at Good2go in pinetown, my bikes there now,

 

Well at least your bike is in Good hands now.

[VicanZA]

starting to think a lot of LBS get a bad rep from 1 guy jumping on the hub and venting about his bad experience, not to say that this is the case Nicko.

 

Was at my LBS who got lambasted on the hub about 3 weeks ago and saw a guy buy a bike that was clearly the wrong size for him! even after the owner had pointed it out to him....it was the last 1 they had in a special and the buyer didn't want to listen to reason just to save some bucks.

 

Im sure this guy will find his way onto the hub to complain 3 months down the line, we seldom get the LBS side told here.

Edited August 8, 2013 by VicanZA

[kosmonooit]

So ... how was the event / course / weather / vibe?

 

All this negativity ....

[garrethk]

The event and vibe were great. The weather was brilliant. Did the 40k and loved it, course was nicely laid out and well marked. The water tables were great and supportive.