As some of you may know, Kerry’s Pinnacle was stolen by some low life scum whilst on a recovery ride a few weeks ago. With a bit of luck, Kerry’s crash will have weakened the frame and criminal is now walking around in a cast. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing particularly wrong with the Pinnacle, but as you’d expect from a bike shop’s own brand, it really was a case of mutton dressed up as lamb. They’d taken a very average carbon frame made in the Far East somewhere and bolted a load of good components on it - it was a bargain. However, the most important part is the frame. Lesson learned.
The insurance company, Esure, had been brilliant from start to finish. Initially, we were instructed to go through their preferred supplier, Wheelies Direct. Kerry had decided (or rather I nagged her until she conceded) to get a Giant Avail Advanced 2. However, any doubts in her head soon vanished when she saw Cath’s (Giant Lady) Avail Advanced at the Ryton Tri 2 Up and fell in love. There was no turning back.
Bike Porn in the form of a Giant Avail Advanced 2
The order was given to Wheelies Direct, and we sat back and waited.
And waited.
And waited a bit more.
And a bit more.
6 weeks later, and Kerry was still bike-less. We decided to ring Wheelies Direct to chase the bike, and we were told the most extra-ordinary thing. Apparently, Giant were only sending over 2 bikes to the UK in the month of June, which wasn’t worth the consignment cost and therefore there would be no shiny new bike for Kerry until July!!!
Er… Hang fire… this is Giant - the biggest bike manufacturer on Earth. Only sending 2 bikes to the UK in June. Does that sound right to you?!?
So we rang our local bike shop, Bicycle Repair Man in Prudhoe (actually it’s not local at, we live in Blyth - but it’s by far and away the best bike shop in the North of England so we MAKE it our local bike shop). They informed us they were getting a shipment of Giants in June, and already had an Avail Advanced 2 in stock, in Kerry’s size. A phone call later and Wheelies Direct had lost the business, and Bicycle Repair Man put the tiny Giant to one side.
A note to anyone claiming on their insurance - you are NOT obliged to go through your insurance company’s supplier - they try their hardest to make you because they’ll get a good deal that way. Demand to use your local bike shop. If you buy online, the bike comes needing set up, you don’t get to try the exact bike you’re buying first, you won’t get fitted to it, and you won’t get a free first service!
A little bit about Bicycle Repair Man - they’re based in Prudhoe in Northumberland and is the North’s biggest Giant dealer. For most people, Giant has a perfect solution to their requirements, and always represents the best balance between technology and bang-for-your-buck, far more so than the likes of Trek, Specialized or Scott. However, if you want something a little more unique, they also sell Sabbath titanium bikes, Colnago, Look and Ridley. They have a massive showroom FULL of bikes (the most in the North East by far), clothing and accessories, a changing room and toilets. Put simply, it’s bike porn - especially the Giant Trinity Advanced frameset hanging on the wall and the various Colnago and Ridley bikes peppered around the place. The guys in there, Mark Tony and Chris have always got time to talk shop with you, and you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone with more knowledge or passion for the sport.
We turned up on Saturday in Prudhoe to find the white carbon beauty sat waiting for us. Kerry toddled off to the changing room to put her cycling gear on ready for her bike fit, whilst Tony and I talked gear ratios and tyre choice (we know how to live mind). Knowing Kerry wanted to race but still get up hills, I believe we opted for a 50/34 on the front and 11/27 on the rear (although I am sure Chris or Tony will correct me if I am wrong) and some super quick Schwalbe Ultremo tyres.
Dressed and ready, Kerry mounted her Avail for the first time, with a massive grin on her face. Chris set about setting the bike up for her, ensuring she was fit perfectly to the bike. The bike fit touches on various aspects including saddle height and fore/aft adjustment, bar and stem height, stem length, crank length, and the angle of the bars / hoods. After an hour or so of tinkering and a saddle swap from a Selle Italia to a Fizik, Kerry was set up perfectly on the Avail. Not only had Chris set her up properly, he’d given her a good bollocking over her pedalling technique. Amazing how she doesn’t listen to me but does other people…
Kerry being fitted to the Avail Advanced
As usual with Bicycle Repair Man, they’d gone to the absolute nth degree to ensure their customer was completely satisfied with their bike. There’s more to selling a bike than reciting what’s already written in the brochure and then taking your money. They advise you fully and in an impartial way (for instance, unlike certain bike shops in the area, they won’t slag off another brand in order to sell you what they stock - if a bike is good, they’ll tell you it’s good) and once you’ve picked a bike, they spend time and effort to ensure you are perfectly matched with your bike both in terms of size, set up and components. You only ever end up coming away with what you need, rather than what’s on special offer or the bike shop needs to shift. I’d been rattling on about BRM to Kerry for ages, and she finally discovered first hand just how good they are.
Kerry and the Avail
Thanks to Mark, Tony and Chris at Bicycle Repair Man for once again looking after us.
Come Sunday, it was time to test ride the Avail. I’d suggested a short bike ride around our local route, but I’d be lying if I said that was my real intention. I know the first time I rode my Giant TCR Advanced, the ride was over too quickly and I was left wanting more. So, we left Blyth and rode through Bedlington (where Kerry discovered just how a good carbon frame climbs), through Stannington, up to Kirkley Hall, down to Ponteland on the A696, on to Capheaton (almost via Stamfordham) over the A696 again to Middleton, through Mitford and Morpeth and back through Bedlington to Blyth. We’d done just shy of 55 miles in 3 and a half hours!
The 55 mile 12 mile bike ride!
The verdict was simple - the bike “glided”.
The reason is simple. The Pinnacle is just a rebranded Taiwanese frame - not a bad frame by any stretch of the imagination, but compared to the Giant it felt heavy, lifeless and ordinary. The Giant felt spritely, stiff and inspired confidence to ride harder and faster. Kerry had fallen in love with her Giant in just the same way I had fallen in love with mine.
Thanks again Giant and Bicycle Repair Man!
Bicycle Repair Man
Unit 1A
Princess Court
Low Prudhoe Trading Estate
Prudhoe
NE42 6PL
Tel: 01661 830618
Website: http://www.bikerepairman.co.uk/