Last week the bottom bracket of my tourer started making with the horrible creaks clunks and groans which imply a new one might be in order. I decided to use the opportunity to upgrade to Hollowtech 2, which involves the purchasing of a whole new chainset with integrated bottom bracket. When it came to fitting, it became clear that the threads inside the bottom bracket shell were worn beyond redemption, and the left hand bearing is left just turning on itself with no hope of ever tightening. Condition: fatal.
Having scoured the interwebs for ferrous frames, it quickly becomes apparent that the only viable option for replacement steel frames is American company Surly. I've long lusted after a Surly Cross Check, and discovered that they can be ordered through local Welsh company Tredz, and decided to pursue this further.
On their website, they state that delivery is free, but that you can ensure "next working day delivery" for an extra tenner. I tried contacting them to check whether they had Surly frames in stock, to no avail - you just can't get through on the phone.
I decided to take a chance and travel to their Swansea shop on spec.
Not a Surly frame in sight, but an alarming number of red-shirted surly shop assistants, of varying degrees of cluelessness. The first one led me to a computer, typed in "Serley" and announced that they do not stock anything by that maker.
I instructed him as to the correct spelling, and he found the frame I was after. "We don't have stuff like that here though, we'd have to order it in for you, and you could come back for it, but you'd have to pay for it up front, 'cos it's expensive, like." Then he disappeared.
I found another chap at the checkout, who was a little more polite but equally unhelpful and disinterested, so I just left the shop, which is on an enormous business park with nothing else nearby save for bathroom showrooms and car dealerships. I watched the one bus per hour cruise past on its way back to town.
After a couple of ranting texts to my wife, I decided the best thing to do was go back into the store (whatever they say, it's not a bike shop, and definitely not a "bike lovers dream and a great place to spend time regardless of whether you're looking to buy or browse.". It's like Tesco without the groceries.) and try and salvage something from a so-far wasted journey.
I singled out an older looking guy, and stood in front of him till he noticed me. I patiently explained my dilemma. I asked if they could get a Surly frame delivered to my home as soon as possible. There were a few too many ifs and buts to make his answer entirely convincing, but I decided to order and pay for the frame, as it was preferable to the alternative, which would be to return home empty handed, transfer money to my wife's debit card and order online. We'll see if it turns up before the end of the week. I have my doubts.
I did manage to buy the brakes I wanted.
Coming home on the train, I wondered what state the world has come to, when you can't just go to your local bike shop and buy something as fundamental as a frame. Bikes are sold as bikes, fully built. In the bike shop I worked in, the owner would usually refuse to customise a bike in any way, and would only sell it as it came in the box.
Locally, almost anything I ask for has to be "ordered in". I can get the basics - cables, chains, brakeblocks, but anything like a chainset will not be kept in stock by any of our local dealers. It will invariably take longer for them to get it than it would for me if I ordered it online. Don't they realise they have to be competitive with time as well as price? I don't mind paying a little over the odds to support my local bike shop, but having to wait 10 days instead of the usual 3 is pushing it a bit.
Buying a frame has been much harder than I imagined.
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