Mountain Biking - Bought a brand-new Giant Talon 29er 1, and now PROBLEMS after two days.

I just recently bought a brand-new Giant Talon 29er 1, I really like the bike but I've been experiencing some problems. When I test rode the bike I didn't experience anything. But after I purchased the bike and riding it for about 10 to 15 miles I started noticing some problems, figures right after you buy something the issues appear. My two problems are the front suspension rattles over any bump in the rear disc brake is sticking. I brought the bike back to the dealer the next day and they admitted there's a problem with the front fork and they will work with Giant to replace it, and they adjusted the rear disc brake, they told me I can ride the bike until the new front fork arrives. So the next day I rode the bike another 20 miles and notice the rear brake is sticking again, and when breaking at high speeds it feels like the disc is warped, not hard but you can feel it vibrate a little.

I told the dealer I'm not comfortable with this bike and I think other problems are to come, and would like a replacement, but they mention giant won't replace a bike just the parts unless maybe the frame was cracked. Over the past 10 years I've purchased three Giant bikes from this dealer and have never had a problem with the bikes or the dealer, so I’m thinking this is just a unique case and the bike may have been dropped in shipping…. Or who knows it could just be a lemon bike. So my question is, am I wrong to push hard on the dealer and Giant to get a new bike?

Just have them replace all the problem components. Ride it as much and as hard as possible and if no other problems show up then you're probably good. The frame, fork, brakes, etc. each came from different manufacturers, so a problem with one or two is not an indication that other components are going to fail.

That's kinda fishy. they sold you a bike knowing there was a problem. you said you bought your previous bikes with them and this is how they treat you? hmmmm. If I were you I'll take my business somewhere else. it's pretty decieving imho.

should have bought a 26"

should have bought a 26"

Or a MONSTER TRUCK!

should have bought a 26"

I knew a wheel-size comment was on its way :notamused:

I just picked up my bike from the dealer today, although I didn't get a new bike all is well. For the front forks they took them apart and added more grease, that significantly improve the rattling. The little bit of sound I do here I believe is normal under heavy pressure. And for the rear brakes the caliper they had to remove some of the powder coated paint, all is good.
But I have to admit I'm not impressed with the overall characteristics of the front fork that is manufactured by suntour (SR Raidon 29" (Custom for Giant), Alloy Steerer, 15QR w/ Lockout, 100mm Travel). I had a low and giant mountain bike years ago that had a Suntour fork, and didn't like it. I thought with buying a better mountain bike I’d get a better fork, it's definitely better than the cheap fork on my cheap Giant but I still don't like the feel. So probably be replacing the forks soon.

What don't you like about the fork? What sort of adjustments are possible and which have you performed?

@Grimlock, it's hard to explain what I don't like about the fork. When going off-road it doesn't feel solid, almost like the wheel is loose, and I know it's not. Again it’s hard to explain or maybe it's just me. Also it still makes a very little noise going over small bumps, but if I was to jump off the curb and land on it hard, no sound. I'm told there's always going to be some noise with a coil spring fork. The only adjustments I know how to do are the standard ones on either side of the fork, make the rebound hard or soft or turning off the suspension. I've tried researching online, just tells me what I ready know adjustments on either side of the forks. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

should have bought a 26"

i love you.

So I got my bike back from the dealer about a week ago. The problem with the forks it needed more grease, and that solved the major rattling. But now I hear a little bit of rattling over small bumps, I could understand this if I was doing serious off-roading, but I'm talking about a crack in the road when I hear this little rattling. And when it was in the shop for the forks I had them I just the rear brakes for the second time, the rear wheel wasn't spinning freely.

So now I'm bringing my bike back in for the 3rd time for the same two problems. So am I being too difficult if I demand a replacement fork and rear caliper versus them trying to take everything apart and fix it?

Coil sprung forks will always make a little sound from spring slap.

Also, just upgrade the brakes.

That's a rather unfortunate experience. The vibe I get from a lot of bike shops is they struggle to squeak by, given that they can't compete with online prices. So while they'll gladly smile at you, shake your hand, and sell you a new bike, they can be less friendly when there are problems. It stems from the mentality that equipment problems cost money, so they'd rather just believe the issue is an ignorant customer.

Perhaps you'll get somewhere by being persistent enough, and maybe that's the route to take. But I find it easier sometimes to just cut my losses and call an ordeal a learning situation. I've had better luck buying used bikes or problem bikes at major discounts and then buying certain parts new, like forks. I find I get better bang for buck.

Continue to hammer on the dealer some more if you think it will pay off. But if it gets too frustrating, cut your losses, buy nice Fox fork, and go to bed happy.

Probably goes without saying, but any inherent slop in a particular model fork is going to be more noticable in the 29" vs the 26" version.

I would stop dealing with the bike shop and go straight to the manufacturer of the fork, Suntour.

Had similar experience with Bomber MX Pro, it felt mushy and way soft on trails. Call them within the warranty period and what arrived was a rock solid fork.

A few questions, Is the fork rated for what you are using it for?

I ask because mine is a trail fork, not for downhill and/or jumping. Many of those fork "look" to be for jumping but they are not, and maybe that could void the warranty if you used it for conditions what it was meant for.

Is it this the fork?

209582

ANd for the record this is the bike you are talking about?

209583

I would stop dealing with the bike shop and go straight to the manufacturer of the fork, Suntour.

I'm not sure OP would have much success there. Marzocchi, unlike Suntour, isn't primarily an OEM supplier, and as such Marzo is much more likely to deal with a customer directly. That said, I suppose he could give it a shot, but I strongly suspect they would flip him back to the dealer.

Most of my bike riding is on a paved/limestone bike path, any off-road in I do is on a basic dirt trail, and the most adventurous jump I'll do is off a curb. My wife and my son both have low end mountain bikes (Trek and Giant) with low-end suspension forks, and they seem to work better and feel more solid than the one on my bike. Both of their bikes are 26 inch wheel so I can understand they may have less play than a 29er. So I think any fork would be good for me.

Yes that is the correct bike, and I believe that is also the right fork. The exact description of the fork from giant website “SR Raidon 29" (Custom for Giant), Alloy Steerer, 15QR w/ Lockout, 100mm Travel” and I assume when it says “Custom for Giant” means they painted a different color and put their name on the fork.

Good point about going to SunTour for the warranty, I was thinking to go to Giant.