Help on Decals/Transfers

[vcballbat]

https://bicycledecals.net/

I deal exclusively (apart from some small Colnago and Campagnolo derailleur decals from Spain) with these guys. Top quality vinyl decals, well packaged and generally about 20% cheaper than Lloyd. They have special offers and sales too.

Lloyd is pretty awful to deal with. I've met him a few times at bike jumbles over the years. Up his own ar#e mostly, and very proud to have gotten an exclusive reproduction decal deal with Reynolds tubing (I hope it cost dearly). I bet he's on eBay eight hours a day chasing down anyone who would dare sell reproductions. Unfortunately there are still tons of originals available online which he can't do zip about. And they are generally a lot cheaper than his repros.

Fortunately I bought a load of Reynolds decals from a very nice Ukrainian lad last year at great prices before Lloyd got him bumped from the platform.

The Ti Team Raleigh decals from this company are completely wrong and were never used by Raleigh for their Ti Raleigh Team livery. Please don't waste waste your money buying this crap as your Ti Raleigh Team Replica restoration will look like a cheap imitationbuy the best and correct from H Lloyd Cycles. I do hope you haven't done any Ti Raleigh Team restorations yourself and used this crap artwork There's a reason why you can get a whole set of decals for twenty quid!

 

[Glug]

I've used H Lloyd for my last 2 restores, had no issues.
2 weeks back they refunded post when I forgot an item and did another order which shiped with the first one.
So I'm having a good experience with them.

I just fitted top tube "Whirlwind" gold/black decals which are not in their catalogue but are the original style.
I thought they might have some and emailed them, they were on a shelf, normal catalogue price.

 

[pigman]

The problem with those cheap adhesive vinyl ones is they aren't flat. You are left with a raised profile. I wasn't sure whether to cover with varnish or lacquer, as the surface doesn't look like it would accept an overcoat (it might, I didn't want to risk it). Advantages are price and ease of application and for a cheap rattlecan refurb, like I did, they were fine. If however, you want to do a proper restoration, you need better ones.

 

[jim haseltine]

^^^That^^^
Vinyl were great for my can blown-over winter bike but for 'proper' paint finishes I've always fitted quality decals. Last time I ordered from Lloyds I wanted two identical sets of which they supplied one - a quick email exchange and the other set was on the way to me.
Recently though whenever I try to access the Lloyd's web site I get a splash screen telling that it's a restricted area to which I don't have the necessary access permissions.

 

[Canuk]

Similar to the above: ignored messages (both on the site and eBay), was quite rude even when I offered him high resolution artwork for a decal. Got on high horse when I pointed out the Reynolds 'Service des Courses' decal is actually a very popular decal on European builds.

Didn't seem to know it existed. For these reasons (and others) I refuse point blank to deal with him. There are better, more professional options.

 

[non-fixie]

Just in case someone digs up this thread for reference in the future: I have done business with various bicycle decal suppliers over the years, including H Lloyd.

While I have no complaints about any of them, H Lloyd were the most professional of the bunch. From the order conformation to the follow-up e-mail, the whole process was a five star experience. Wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.

 

[Canuk]

Just in case someone digs up this thread for reference in the future: I have done business with various bicycle decal suppliers over the years, including H Lloyd.

While I have no complaints about any of them, H Lloyd were the most professional of the bunch. From the order conformation to the follow-up e-mail, the whole process was a five star experience. Wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.

For future reference, if you look at the feedback on eBay two things are very prominent:

1. Consistently overcharges for postage, promises first class, and sends second. Netting him an extra £1.80 per order. Also fails on numerous occasions to combine postage.
There seems to be an awfully big number of postal strikes in his local.

2. Communication. Either none, or wishy washy excuses or just plain rude. It's a consistent complaint.

I've never found him either pleasant to deal with nor professional. The feedback backs this up. I heard him boast once he does twice as much business on his sure website, as on eBay. So there's probably another huge tranche of complaints, which can't be registered.

There are better, more professional alternatives. My advice: avoid.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

H Lloyd are a great shop. If you're new to the hobby they will help you out. I don't use anyone else. I've got a few bikes.....

 

[non-fixie]

This is a bicycle forum. Members sharing their personal experiences is nice and helpful. Campaigning against people you don't like, not so much.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Although I don't have the time or inclination to trawl through thousands of ebay reviews, I couldn't help but notice hlloyds' rating of 99.8%. The figure speaks for itself.