Fifty Plus (50+) - Trials of Buying a New Bike - Things to look out for!

A couple of days ago I posted that I am in the process of starting to ride again and have purchased a Access XCL 9.5 29'r. It was actually purchased on Saturday and not being in any rush I wanted their mechanic to go over the bike thoroughly and also install a speedometer and bottle cage. Easy enough!

So, I went to pick it up today. Having worked at a very large bike shop for a time I am aware of the things that I look for when someone comes in with a problem. I'm also very aware of what to look for to ensure that a new bike has been set up right and the shifting dialed in along with the brakes properly adjusted.

What I didn't expect to find was my bike with a headset so lose that it made a reverberating clunk - clunk when rocked back and forth with the front brake set. Surprise! The sales peson (assistant manager) was shocked because he could hear it from where he was standing. I took the bike back to the mechanic and showed him the problem and he ensured me it would only take a minute to fix. I told him to take his time and this time to make sure that everything is the way it is supposed to be. That I am in no hurry and don't want to be coming back to get things taken care of that should have been handled before they ever handed over the bike. I called them when I got home to emphasize my desire that they get things right and it seems that they are having to replace the headset completely.

So, my recommendation is to make sure that you give the bike a very thorough going over and a test ride before you ever leave the shop. Check the headset, like I did by locking the front brake and rocking the bike back and forth. Turn the handlebars and check for vertical play as well as horizontal play and make sure there are not any rough or sticky spots in the turning radius. Also check the Bottom Braket and of course the front and rear deraileurs. Also check to make sure the brakes are funcioning properly and allow you to modulate the braking as need be.

Glad I am patient!

Seems strang for a brand new bike to have this kind of a problem. Good advice and I think it was important that you didn't wait around for them to try and fix it while you were there.

A friend's new Madone had a bottom bracket that had been installed without any grease.

A friend's new Madone had a bottom bracket that had been installed without any grease.

Excellent example of keeping an eye out for problems such as this. Some are severe enough that they would ruin a frame in addition to the component!

The headset is a sloppy mechanic- and if he built up the rest of the bike then I would check it again when you go to pick up the bike. Although if they have replaced the headset- could have been a part failure and not fully blamed on the mechanic.

But there is a thing that I call "The newness wearing off" You adjust things up from new but as you use it- Grease will move- a knotchy bearing will settle down- or even brand new parts will fail. Hence the run down ride that I always do after adjusting anything on a bike. It is worse on a new bike because all those "New" items have to settle in.

To be honest and I "Hate" new bikes. Always those parts to check over and tolerances to adjust but those are minor things that I would expect to have to do after a ride. So be prepared to get the tools out and adjust for a good few weeks to come.

The headset is a sloppy mechanic- and if he built up the rest of the bike then I would check it again when you go to pick up the bike. ...........................
To be honest and I "Hate" new bikes. Always those parts to check over and tolerances to adjust but those are minor things that I would expect to have to do after a ride. So be prepared to get the tools out and adjust for a good few weeks to come.

I fully agree. They had to replace the headset and it appears that "this time" they are actually going through the bike with a fine tooth comb. So, a headset failure is not totally to blame on the mechanic, his failure to check the play in the headset resulted in their failure to discover the problem prior to giving it to me to take home.

I started to upgrade to the next level with a carbon frame, but discovered that by doing so I would be stepping down in components all around. So, I've elected to keep the bike I originally chose. It may be a bit of a comprimise in weight, but nothing I would notice at my skill and fitness level.

I'll post some pic's as soon as I pick it up and get out.