Lidl/Adli bike stuff any good?

[AdamAsh]

Bought the track pump today.

For a fiver it's mint. Aluminium & a gauge.

Really sturdy & does the job.

Why would you need to pay more?

 

[silverclaws]

I think Lidl get it with regards most stuff, Aldi seems to be a bit flakey from experience, mind their food is often cheaper than Lidl.

I have loads of stuff from Lidl, tools, clothing, bike stuff, all sorts, it represents good value for money and there quality and just reminds you buy a brand and you are often just paying for a brand name, especially so when you can discern no difference between a branded product and a Lidl product.

It could be we are actually being had in a lot of respects regarding the big brands, a case of supply some good kit then let the brand name do the work, as exactly where are all these products made, could it perchance be the same factory in the same country ?



But is it really all about fashion not function ?

Certainly are being had by a lot of the brands, but even more by the high street retailers. Even the brands can be found at a fraction of the price many high street retailers demand.

Sometimes I feel I got a bargain and live with the lack of ultimate reliability with some things, but generally when it comes to tools I buy what I know.


I am sure there are great spanners available at the fraction of the cost of proper Snap On and the like, but one time under a vehicle in the middle of nowhere with a couple of cm to work a ring spanner is enough to convince me of the benefits of spending an extra few quid to get something that flexes less than a piece of old rhubarb.

I agree regards tools, but what Lidl sells is fit for purpose, my purpose which is not professional use these days, although I have used their tools for professional use repairing diesel generators and lighting rigs out on site, in winter in the middle of the night, when I was on call, the tools did well, no better nor worse than any other tool manufacturer, except for perhaps the expensive professional tools with the replacement or repair service when they go wrong, which is not a lot of use when they actually do go wrong out in the middle of no where at the wrong time of day.

I used to be Snap On and Teng equipped in metric and Britool, Elora and Stahlwillie in imperial, socketry from a quarter inch to one inch drive, my job demanded that flexibility, as all sizes and manner of machines were the job. I lost the lot, over £8k worth of tools and test equipment and with that died a lot of interest. Sure I have tried to re equip, but can never have what I have lost and nor do I want to go back into that industry, so now with what I know of tools, how to discern good tools from bad, I am careful with what I buy, but so far of what I have discerned fit for use from Lidl's, has not yet broken, and I can be cruel with tools, especially when I have to modify a tool to do something it was not designed to do, because I lack that expensive one off special tool.

Now Draper that is chocolate and Halfords variety, the only Draper or Halfords I might trust is where it clearly says '' professional''. I do buy draper non professional when they are needed, if they are t face the grinder to be made into something else.

But whoever GS are that comes out of Lidls. I am impressed.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

I recently bought 4 x toolkits from Lidl at £25 each, and promptly sold 3 on eBay for £59 each.

It's ok stuff. Aldi's clothes seem a touch better, but Lidl geberally sell a wider range of tools and accessories. Nothing flash, but useable and good value.

 

[silverclaws]

Yeah, I have noticed Lidl's products coming up on ebay at more than what Lidl sell them for and what's worse, recently I noticed someone selling a front and rear mudguard for ATB's for £2.50 plus £2.50 p&p, now that very same set is available in our local 99p shop for well 99p and it is definitely not good quality, sharp unfinished edges and brittle, I broke one in the shop giving it the flex test on the seat clamp, as that is where I always break them with that type of rear guard.