Brompton owners

Gears have started slipping in the mid-range and I think both my break and gear cables are a bit worn out.

Following M_V's suggestion, you may like to have a look at Step 1 on page 33 of the Shimano service manual, which covers cable adjustment on the Affine 11-speed set up:
https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/dm/DM-SG0004-02-ENG.pdf

Nick

They're just bog standard chain rings bolts, so you can use anything.

Not really, I'll look into it today, thank you for the worrying warning!

Thank you very much, I'll have a read today

Its not a difficult job to do and well worth learning so you can keep on top of it.

Yep, when I got an Alfine hub I was disappointed that they weren't really as fit and forget as I hoped but still needed a bit of finicky set up to get smooth.

hub gears being maintenance proof is a myth

I came across an online bicycle shop with a decent sale and a shocking number of sought-after bikes in stock, like 6 speed 2020 Bromptons sold out at most dealers.

The retailer is https://alphabike.co.uk/ but read on before buying anything.

I've found a few red flags and want to know what everyone else thinks:

1. There's no telephone number, only a contact form and email address.
   
2. The website domain has only just been created in the past few weeks.
   
3. Aside from a few tweets (@alphabikeco) they have no social presence.
   
4. There is one tweet with pictures of Bromptons supposedly sent to them by their customers but I did a reverse image search and one of the pictures is floating about on the internet. This could be a white lie to make themselves appear established but doesn't look good.
   
5. The website makes no reference to a legal company or company number which they'd have to display as an online retailer.
   
6. The address isn't to a specific unit on the road, just Alpha Bike then a road name. A Google search for Vickers Drive North and Alpha Bike doesn't show it listed anywhere but their own website.
   
7. There's no Google business listing or reviews on TrustPilot or elsewhere.
   
   

I sounded unsure before, probably deluding myself for a good deal, but typing this out I feel more certain: this has got scam written all over it, hasn't it?

this has got scam written all over it, hasn't it?

Yes, avoid!

They're selling Carrera bikes new, which is a Halfords own brand, and Hoy bikes which are exclusive to Evans. The whole content is probably scraped.

It's weird because it looks like someone's gone to a fair amount of effort to make this look legit, when surely it's going to get shut down very quickly.

Who shuts this sort of stuff down?

I imagine their payment processor/ bank will be the first to put a block on if anyone makes a purchase and later complains.

Is there anywhere this can be reported before someone parts with their cash?

Sturmey archer 3 speed?

this:

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-report-a-scam#report-internet-fraud-to-action-fraud

suggests you report it to Action Fraud:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

This is remake of a previous scrabble website!

lynx in reply to @B0N0R

B0N0R
hub gears being maintenance proof is a myth

Sturmey archer 3 speed?

Even more so, the Fichtel and Sachs Duomatic hub -- no selector cable to adjust, no rear brake pads to wear.

It’s not necessarily a scam unless you’ve purchased and been conned ie not received a bike from AlphaBike.co.uk

Its also not a crime to buy cheap and sell expensive as they might be doing. So unless you have evidence it’s a scam then you could be defaming them.

For a long time, Amazon and eBay didn’t have phone numbers either and they only provided their registered business addresses which was a mail box only.

You’ve answered much of your own questions there. If their domain is only a few weeks old then they wouldn’t have had many customers, if any, to write reviews on Trust Pilot or have a decent social media presence.

As for Google reviews, it takes about two weeks to receive a code to verify a business listing, perhaps they haven’t submitted this.

Appears to be a small online business which sources bikes - if they actually do - once they get a purchase.

I don’t represent them but I’m also owner of a small online retail business and I’d hate for anyone to write about me this way without any evidence.

If you’re in doubt, leave it out. Get on with your life.

Hello Alphabike. Nice of you to join us.

If it isn't a scam it is deeply unprofessional or incompetent to fail to display the legally required company number and registered address.

Not to mention having T&C's with blanks not filled in:

AlphaBike and yourself both agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of __________,

Why would you assume I represent them?

If I was to slag off your favourite football team and you defend them does that make you your team in disguise(?)

Hang about, people, it looks like we have a special (read: defensive) appearance from the con artist themselves

You’re right.

This is true. Something tells me they’re a one-man band

You also think I represent them? I’m just giving you a lesson.

If you don't it is an unusual first post to a forum

I was just on a Facebook group where they told me to ask here for Brompton differences between standard vs electric, and this post was the first few threads I came across.