Author Topic: Charlie The Bikemonger (Read 2055 times)

thorny · « **on:** June 01, 2011, 09:28:52 PM »

Used them a couple of times and had excellent customer service. Most recently, a package (crankset) went missing with Royal Mail. As I was returning to Canada before there was time to send out a replacement set, they sent the replacement to Canada without charging for postage. After this second parcel went missing (Parcelforce and Canada Post) I fully expected them to just offer a refund. But they sent out a third set (I paid postage this time), which arrived yesterday, about 7 days after posting. Fantastic service, particularly as they can't have made much/ any profit on the sale.

PaulF · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2012, 11:30:53 AM »

Always had great service from them. Ready to advise by e-mail when asked, good prices and prompt delivery even on non "run of the mill" products.

Paul Metcalfe · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2012, 02:21:26 PM »

I don't think you can call them that any more.

interzen · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2012, 12:34:53 PM »

Can't fault them in any way in terms of service, at least so far, and was using them before I joined the fat-bike brigade

In fact, my only real gripe is that a lot of the stuff on the website is 'out of stock'.

Free stickers are a bonus (I brake for cake, oh yeah!) and Charlie is a top bloke, at least going by the email exchanges I've had with him.

Definitely worth a look if you're after FG/SS and/or fat-bike stuff.

billplumtree · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2012, 01:33:51 PM »

Quote from: interzen on May 17, 2012, 12:34:53 PM

Charlie is a top bloke, at least going by the email exchanges I've had with him.

Seconded. Knows his stuff, and helpful with it.

Quote

Free stickers are a bonus (I brake for cake, oh yeah!)

I got a No Entry sign that says "No Britneys"

welshwheels · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2012, 07:37:14 PM »

excellent service and prompt delivery 5 star

and the one gear no idea sticker sums me up lol

Paul D · « **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2012, 05:52:42 PM »

Charlie's my local(ish) bike shop and I can't recommend him enough, especially for singlespeed and fixed parts.

It's the sort of place you go in for one thing, get into a discussion about the relative strength vs weight of alloy vs steel chainrings and end up with his stock out on some kitchen scales.

Of course, the icing on the proverbial is the stickers. He used to run threads for sticker slogan ideas on SingleTrackWorld forum, until the Mods banned him for advertising.

Here's the slogan I won one of his STW forum threads with (on my SS Singular Swift):

And here is without a doubt my favourite he's produced (on my fixed Eddy Merckx):

interzen · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2012, 08:52:54 PM »

Heh - Charlie's stickers deserve a thread of their own, I reckon

Amongst others, I've got "I Brake For Cake" on Pugsley, "Hello, I'm A Bicycle" and "My Dealer Ran Out Of Gear(s)" on the Dave Yates and "Charlie Helps Me Go Faster" on the yellow Genesis

Viking · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2012, 04:15:57 PM »

I just placed an order with CTBM this morning and got an email just now to say that my order had been dispatched. That is what I call quick. Let's just hope that RM doesn't cock it up (again).

Viking · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2012, 11:08:44 AM »

Well, how about that. The said order from CTBM arrive this morning first class post (free) That is less than 24 hours from order to receipt. That's what I call service.

PS Sticker "Niche to see you, to see you niche" - classic!

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2012, 08:59:15 PM »

It’s worth mentioning that he has the basic Shimano SPD pedals (520s?), double sided MTB pedals, for £20, including SH 51 cleats.

Viking · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2012, 09:20:00 AM »

Edinburgh Bike Coop have a 15% doscount offer on at the moment M520 cheap

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/shimano-atb-spd-pedals-pdm520?bct=browse%2faccessories%2fpedals-toeclips

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2012, 01:53:46 PM »

Those don’t include the cleats, though, unless I’m mistaken.

Biggsy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2012, 01:58:42 PM »

eBay is consistently the cheapest source of M520s when taking postage into account. The pedals from any dealer come with cleats (SH51) unless otherwise stated.

But one of Charlie's stickers is worth paying a bit extra for!

interzen · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2012, 02:21:17 PM »

I've created a thread here: http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=60671.0

Let's see yer CtBM stickers

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2012, 05:12:10 PM »

Quote from: Biggsy on June 22, 2012, 01:58:42 PM

The pedals from any dealer come with cleats (SH51) unless otherwise stated

Oh. I could’ve sworn I’ve bought them without cleats in the past.

Biggsy · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2012, 05:25:56 PM »

You were ripped off! The cleats are worth more than the pedals.

Gus · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2012, 04:46:59 PM »

I've just been emailing him about buying a Salsa Fargo and delivery times.
Very fast respond and found out he was running out of stock in my size.
So we agreed to order one, but delay the shipment & delivery a week, because I'm away.

More to follow when I get the bike and my free stickers

John Henry · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2012, 07:15:56 PM »

In two minds about CtB. I ordered a couple of bits of routine SS stuff a few weeks ago which took several weeks (and two reminders) to finally arrive, despite showing in stock on the website when I ordered. On the other hand, he was a jolly nice chap and there were stickers. So I'll probably give him the benefit of the doubt and use him again.

Christophe · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2013, 12:18:10 PM »

After recommendation from a friend ordered a frame and headset last Tuesday, arrived Saturday. Headset cup fitting free as part of the service. They had to get the frame from the supplier so 4 day turnaround was pretty good service in my opinion. Only problem was they forgot to pack the rest of the headset bits.

Quick phone call resolved the problem.

So as a first time customer, a definite

from me.

Trouble is after browsing the website I've now become aware of the White Industries ENO cranks

Stickers were 'My Drinking Club has a Bicycle Problem' (very apt being an occasional member of the Mid Essex Mid Week Nocturnal gang) and 'One Less Car'

Bledlow · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:36:33 PM »

Quote from: Biggsy on June 22, 2012, 05:25:56 PM

You were ripped off! The cleats are worth more than the pedals.

Really? How much will you pay me for a pair?

Biggsy · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2013, 04:30:45 PM »

No, not really. Either I was suffering from brain flatulence last June, or cleats were more expensive then. Anyway, I don't buy Shimano SPD cleats on their own. I buy a pair of pedals with cleats and keep the pedals as spares or sell them.

Pingu · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2013, 04:10:30 PM »

My first dealing with CtBM. All was fine except I didn't get any stickers

Tail End Charlie · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2013, 05:57:39 PM »

Me aswell. Got a stem captain for a bit of bling (and it's a great talking point), but no stickers.

interzen · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2013, 06:04:39 PM »

Quote from: Tail End Charlie on April 16, 2013, 05:57:39 PM

Me aswell. Got a stem captain for a bit of bling (and it's a great talking point), but no stickers.

I'm sure if you ask him nicely he'll see you right - he's that kind of guy.

Author Topic: Charlie The Bikemonger (Read 2055 times)

John Henry