kyte

I'm super excited about my new bike since my current one is about 10yrs old and rusting all over it. But the old one is a solid ride and never had any problem for 3yrs now.

The new bike looks shinny at first, but then I notice there are tiny rust all over the spokes, screws, bolts, etc. The major part, i.e. chain, hub, main frame, seat, handle bar looks fine. The bike is not dirt cheap neither, cost me around 300 dollars.

I emailed the seller and he said the rust could be wiped off easily. Simple wiping is definitely not working. I think I need a sand paper to do it. But should I try to clean it? Shouldn't a new bike just be like, new and shinny?

This is my first new bike since I arrived US and I have no idea how to deal with it. Should I clean it? Return it? or else?

Thanks for any suggestion.

Also, I searched the forum with "new bike rust spoke"and nobody posted similar issues.

yamsyamsyams

A new bike, unless stored improperly for many years, should not have rust on it. Would you accept a new car with scratches all over it? Return it ASAP and make sure you tell the seller how displeased you are with the transaction.

kyte

Thanks for the quick reply!

Just to be clear, rust is corrosion, right? The seller say it's corrosion so I just want make sure. Can't believe I have to go through all the trouble to return it...

Shahmatt

Yes rust is corrosion.

Rust can also be quite dangerous. Though on the surface you may see only a little rust it can also go in deep and weaken components.

You should definitely return the bike.

aidzbelty

Unless it's a well-known online store, I wouldn't trust too much in buying in the internet because you don't know if the actual product you're getting is the same one advertised (learned the hard way). And being in the store personally gives you the opportunity to assert your right as a customer, no matter how much the value of the purchase.

Going back to the topic, return the bike or at least replace the rusting parts. When buying a new bike, that must include everything from top to bottom.

kyte

Thank you guys.

The bike I bought is from a small company. The main parts are find but I guess the components just lack quality control.
I will return them and ask for a full refund.

chaadster

Yes, it's very unusual for a new bike to be rusty or have corrosion, and especially the spokes; I didn't even know you could get regular steel spokes anymore (as opposed to stainless)!

My advice is to return it and get a better quality bike, which should not be a problem for similar money.

Erwin8r

Out of curiosity, are you in the US? What brand bicycle?

Leisesturm

With $300 to spend, it is very possible to get a decent bike in an LBS, or online for that matter. It might sound harsh but the o.p. had to have gone pretty far out of his/her way to find such a bunch of losers. I hope the return/refund proceed without further incident. Were it me, I would be checking to see which of my friends knows a lot about bicycles and paying close attention to their advice.

H

kyte

Believe it or not, it's actually a reputable dealer on this forum. So, don't judge or you will be the one looks bad

kyte

Since the seller is quite nice in communicating and deal with either replacement or return, I will not post his name here.
If you really want know, I can PM you.

Erwin8r

Hi, thanks, but no, I'd rather not at this point. I was just hoping for a juicy, exotic tale of woe from a faraway place... lol.

ThermionicScott 

Can you give us any details at all about the bike? What's the year? Take a picture?

And no, sandpaper isn't a good strategy for rust.

kyte

The bike is the model from last year. Here is one picture about the rust.




Also, I've decided to return the bike, so thanks for all your suggestions.

Leisesturm

I don't think its rust. If it is, that isn't a "reputable retailer". Curious... do you have to send the bike back at your expense or is the retailer taking it on the chin. If so, they are being pretty decent about things. If not, I would fix the bike myself. It can certainly be done for a lot less that shipping a bicycle anywhere in the U.S. I stand by my earlier observations.

H

kyte

The retailer taking it on the chin.

Now he offered another option as keeping it at a discounted price........Might be cheaper for him this way due to the two way shipping fee. I guess since the shipping loss should be around 70 so the discount won't be higher than that.

At this point, I'm just confused. Is this spoke thing a big deal? No? Keep it? Return it?

monsterpile

I'd like to see more pics of the bike and the rust that you are mentioning. If its just on bolt heads and spokes I would consider taking the discount (depending on how much it is) and just ride the bike if you are happy with it outherwise. If not just return it and get something else.

Wanderer

Id take a scotchbrite pad to the spoke, to see if it eill clean up. Or, some chrome cleaner.

CommuteCommando

You can buy good bikes at a reduced price online, or you can buy cheep bikes, either at a big box, or on line. My preference is to spend more at a reputable bike shop. I find the service valuable. Buy on line if you must, and are confident in your ability to set up and maintain it. Life is too short to ride a cheap bike.

Cfiber

+1

Soak the nuts, bolts, and screws in lemon juice for 24 hours. Use a scotchbrite pad on spokes. Then use 3 in 1 oil to lubricate nuts, bolts, and screws. Take the discount!

chaadster

A new bike should not look like crap. Absolutely not. Totally unacceptable, IMO.

I say send that POS back, get a new, quality, shiny, bike and ride happy and proud!

DVC45

Return it!
No, don't just return it, return it for a full refund. And post the sellers name/company here.

Wanderer

It is kind of inexcusable to ship a new bike in that condition.......

Cfiber

Return it, only if you are prepared to pay more than $300 for a decent bike. Otherwise, you're just going to replace one cheap bike with another cheap bike, of the same quality level. IMO, you should either buy used off of Craigslist or a local bike shop. OTOH, you could add about $100 more and buy the GT Zum (flatbar) from Performance.

kyte

Finally decided to return it.
Find some decent deals on craigslist. Might take a look at some.
Thanks guys!