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Author Topic: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.  (Read 5257 times)

Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« on: 24 April, 2008, 10:00:06 pm »

I'm fed up with it, well not so much it but owning it. I've been trying to source mudguards and spokes for a long time now. Challenge seem to fob me off, I have no idea why. So I got Woolly to email them with the exact same thing, he got replies but when they asked for the frame number and he told them that it didn't have one, they stopped communicating with him.

The bike isn't stolen, it went to Challenge > London Recumbents > Reviewers > Back to London Recumbents > Sold to previous owner > Sold to me.

In fact when I rung up London recumbents, they knew who I was and who I'd brought it from. The frame doesn't have a serial number. It's got a couple of raised bumps but it's illegible to say the least.

Challenge won't send me (or Woolly) spokes even for money.
London Recumbents apparently can't get the spokes or the mudguards (despite it being advertised on their site).
BikeFix can't get the mudguards cos Challenge told them they don't do them. Despite Paul V (Mr Challenge) posting on the Challenge mailing list saying they are available now.
And Sapim won't sell the spoke to anyone less than a distro, and the distro won't do them as I'm not buying huge stocks of the stuff.

My emails to Challenge go unanswered. I've been trying to contact them for months.

I am pissed off with this shit. Why does it have to be so fucking difficult to get some mudguards and spokes?

And it's a shame cos shes a gorgeous trike and fun to ride but I can't face riding her at the moment cos it just stresses me out.
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clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #1 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:12:07 pm »
Great way to do business, chumps! >:(
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Polar Bear

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #2 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:17:23 pm »
Try contacting a wheelbuilder like Harry Rowland to see if he can supply you spokles.
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Luke

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #3 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:19:03 pm »
I should see the guys from challenge this weekend.

I'll have words.   >:(
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Becky

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #4 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:56:28 pm »
Fisher Outdoor seems to be the main(ish) Sapim stockist, for the airy little Rolf wheels that Dahon specifies.  Mike Vaughan Cycle also stocks Rolf wheels, and thus may have Sapim spokes available.

You can buy SKS mudguards from Bikefix for (for example) an HPVelo Grasshopper and alter them to be the same length, then you just need to get a little bit creative to make the appropriate mounts.  A rear mudguard generally will be the rear half of a pair for an HPVelo SMGT.  Mechanical creativity (or aesthetic bodging) tends to be part and parcel of recumbent ownership.
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #5 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:58:36 pm »
The spokes are straight pull Sapim Lasers 190mm double or triple butted. I've spoken to a few wheelbuilders, unfortunately it's a pretty rare combo and most can't get them. Though some have said they could probably cut and thread some for me but they wouldn't be the same as the other spokes.
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #6 on: 24 April, 2008, 10:59:42 pm »
Quote from: Becky on 24 April, 2008, 10:56:28 pm
Fisher Outdoor seems to be the main(ish) Sapim stockist, for the airy little Rolf wheels that Dahon specifies.  Mike Vaughan Cycle also stocks Rolf wheels, and thus may have Sapim spokes available.

You can buy SKS mudguards from Bikefix for (for example) an HPVelo Grasshopper and alter them to be the same length, then you just need to get a little bit creative to make the appropriate mounts.  A rear mudguard generally will be the rear half of a pair for an HPVelo SMGT.  Mechanical creativity (or aesthetic bodging) tends to be part and parcel of recumbent ownership.

I know but when there's something available off the shelf...

Bodging on this trike ain't gonna be that easy. Several recumbents owners have told me so after having a look.
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Tiger

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #7 on: 25 April, 2008, 01:23:03 pm »
I have similar spoke problem - but  have pooped into LBS who very quickly cut and threaded regular spokes which seem to work just fine and dandy. Also I see that Cycle surgery in Holborn have 2 rolf 20/406 lightweight wheels in stock right now and unless I am mistaken these use the spokes you need - means they might be bale to get them.
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Furious

  • Pedal Head
    • Rijidij.net
Re: Fed up with the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #8 on: 25 April, 2008, 02:50:48 pm »
Quote from: Tiger on 25 April, 2008, 01:23:03 pm
I have similar spoke problem - but  have pooped into LBS ...
I'll bet they were pleased about that!  :o
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Wer sein Fahrrad liebt, der schiebt.
He who loves his bike, will push it.

Wendy

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #9 on: 25 April, 2008, 09:06:28 pm »
I've also experienced poor response from Challenge.  First a real brushoff when I visited them in Apeldoorn, and then no response to several emails.

Next time I buy M5, or Velokraft, methinks.
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #10 on: 26 April, 2008, 01:06:38 am »
I'm gonna stop recommending Challenge bikes to people. Infact when people ask me what the trike is I'm gonna tell them it's a HPV or an Optima or something.
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #11 on: 30 April, 2008, 02:51:36 am »
Apparently when Luke spoke to them, they knew who I was and that I'd got a friend (Woolly) to try and get some on my behalf. They told Luke to drop by the day after to pick some up. At which point they said they're not taking orders but he'd had to order them online. They told him they were outta stock but had managed to get some more not long ago.

Sound fishy?
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Polar Bear

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #12 on: 03 May, 2008, 04:56:41 pm »
Are you sorted yet? 

I'm thinking of selling my Hurricane this year.  I just don't use it nearly enough.  I'd prefer a trike to be honest but we'll see...
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #13 on: 03 May, 2008, 05:17:14 pm »
Nope :(
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Polar Bear

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #14 on: 03 May, 2008, 05:19:44 pm »
That's grim.  Challenge are letting themselves down by the look of it.   :(
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #15 on: 03 May, 2008, 06:07:37 pm »
On my way to the May Day street party, a courier came up to me and Aneeta and asked what it was, I said an Optima :) That felt good lol.
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Polar Bear

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #16 on: 03 May, 2008, 06:21:56 pm »
It's a very nice looking machine.  Pity Challenge aren't as helpful as their bents are good.
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RichForrest

  • T'is I, Silverback.
    • Ramblings of a silverback cyclist
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #17 on: 28 May, 2008, 01:00:58 pm »
Did you manage to sort out spokes for it Sam?

This was posted on the BHPC forum and may be of some help

Do you have a problem if you urgently need 28 spokes, 123mm long? I can solve your problem! The Bicycle Spoke Garage offers you any number of spokes in any length at a good price, that will save you money.
 
My standard spokes are 2mm stainless steel. I also do specialise in 1.8mm spokes, 2.34mm spokes, single butted, double butted and triple butted spokes. Black spokes will also be available soon.
 
Price is 30 pence for a standard spoke, DB spokes are 45 pence each. Please ask about discounts for large quantities.
 
This is a part time service at the moment. I will not always be in. If possible please order by fax or by letter at the moment (I am still working on my Microsoft free computer system...).
 
The Bicycle Spoke Garage - Christian Schumacher
74b Eldon Street, York YO31 7NE
 
Fax (also telephone if you are very very lucky):01904 626169
e-mail (still under construction): schumacherspokes@yahoo.com

Might be worth a try.

Rich.
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harrumph

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #18 on: 28 May, 2008, 02:34:05 pm »
Quote from: Polar Bear on 03 May, 2008, 06:21:56 pm
It's a very nice looking machine.  Pity Challenge aren't as helpful as their bents are good.

And if you buy a Challenge, even a £2000 one, they will insist on equipping it with a standard permutation of what they keep in their parts bin rather than with what you want. Even though each is built up to order.

I'm not a tall Dutch person; I don't want 175mm cranks (and I didn't want a triple chainset). It cost me another £100 or so to get a suitable pair. This strongly discourages me from ever buying another Challenge, nice as the bikes are.
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #19 on: 28 May, 2008, 04:01:11 pm »
^^^ I agree :(

Thanks for the quote Rich
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Blah

  • Not sure where I'm going
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #20 on: 11 June, 2008, 01:52:28 pm »
Dahon 406 wheels do indeed use 190mm spokes.

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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #21 on: 12 June, 2008, 12:05:46 am »
Straight pull?
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Valiant

  • aka Sam
    • Radiance Audio
Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #22 on: 25 April, 2009, 07:48:26 pm »
Anyone dealt with Christian Schumacher yet? I think I might back on the case of getting that blasted spoke.
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keepontriking

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #23 on: 25 April, 2009, 08:13:21 pm »
Quote from: Valiant on 25 April, 2009, 07:48:26 pm
Anyone dealt with Christian Schumacher yet?

Why don't you just call the number quoted  ::-)

You know, on a telephone.
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byegad

Re: Fed up of the Challenge Concept.
« Reply #24 on: 25 April, 2009, 10:12:32 pm »
Or buy a Trice, I placed a telephone order with ICE in Falmouth for some spare spokes for touring and they arrived in County Durham the very next day. I still haven't need to use them despite some enthusiastic cornering and high speed descents.
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