sk0tt

Hey everyone

Long time reader, first time poster

I recently bought an 07 Giant Thermo 1 and noticed it pulling to the left when I take
my hands off the bars.

The front wheel seems to be aligned properly in the forks, but the rear wheel is 5mm
closer to the left chain stay and central at the seat stays.
Quite noticeably closer to the left with a wider tyre and also difficult to get the wheel
in and out.

I have tried another rear wheel and still have this problem.

The bike shop says in regard to the pulling "you shouldn't take your hands off the bars then"
and about the alignment, 'its nothing to worry about' "if you want a bike thats aligned
precisely you have to spend a lot more". They told me I could have the Giant sales rep have a
look, but he would probably just redish the wheel to move it over a bit.

Is this a problem anyone else would worry about, or am I just being fussy?



Scott.

Bikewer

Your bike should not pull to one side. The wheels may be misaligned, or the rear wheel poorly "dished".

You can check the "trueness" of wheels and frame with string; I believe Sheldon Brown has some articles up.

Siu Blue Wind

If the bike isn't making him happy then the LBS should do the right thing. He bought it new and shouldn't have to worry about it or do anything himself. It should feel like a new bike. Shouldn't it be under warranty??

Unless of course he crashed on it....*shrugs*

Either way, the LBS should not have told him "you shouldn't take your hands off the handlebar then". He really shouldn't be treating a customer - someone who spent hard earned money in his shop - like that.

pedalMonger

word

sk0tt

Thanks for the replies,
no the bike has not been crashed, its only a month or two old, so still under warranty.

Seems like they dont want anything to do with it, ill take it back in a week or two for the Giant rep to have a look at it and see what he thinks.

Dylan

That's pretty crumby service if you ask me.

supton

Hmm, you tried a different wheel, with the same results, so it sounds like a frame issue to me. Maybe try installing the wheel to correct for the offset, on the left (non-drive) side? Used to have to do that on the old single speeds/internal hubs.

sk0tt

Thanks for the suggestion supton, I thought it could be a frame problem too, I didnt want to have to install the wheel to compensate for a frame problem on a new bike.

Another problem i've noticed is the rear brake is rubbing quite hard - enough to slow the wheel down fairly fast. I've wound the outside pad adjuster fully out and it is still rubbing the rotor. Tried another wheel and the same thing happens.

When I apply this brake, I can feel it "pulsing" - like one part of the rotor is grabbing and the other is sliding through. I cant tell if the rotor is warped because I cant see daylight on the outside edge. Could the rotor be a different thickness in one part?

When I bought this up at the bike shop along with the frame problem I was told I must be "going
over the bike with a fine tooth comb".


Scott.

Mr. Beanz

Pulling to one side when letting go of the hb's may not be alignment at all. I once had this problem, it was the headset. Was too tight. A mechanic adjusted it for me and no mo prollem!

My tandem seemed to pull to the side at one time, even with my hands on the hb's. Turned out the headset had race and bearing problems. Replaced it with a new headset, No mo prollem!

Lift the front end off the ground. Slowly turn the hb's side to side. Is it rough or do you feel a sticky point? If so, could be the headset, maybe adjustment, maybe a scuky headset. Might be something the shop dudes overtightened!

Siu Blue Wind

Are the wheels fully in the dropouts?

alanbikehouston

A bike should track straight with your hands off the bars on a level road. The headset may need adjustment, or a wheel may be out of true, or simply not well centered.

Take the bike to the shop, and ask to talk with the manager. Explain the problem. Most good shops will take the time to get the bike exactly right. If THIS shop refuses, take the bike to a better shop to get the work done. And, of course, make your future purchases from that better shop.

Mr. Beanz

The rear wheel is usually closer to one chainstay in order to compensate for wheel dish. Because of the multiple gears/ Not verynoticeable on a 6 speed, but modern cycles have several more gears that need compensation.

Nicodemus

christ on toast, that is AWFUL service. That LBS has a disgusting attitude. Lazy lying sumbeotches.

Have you spoken directly with Giant? Maybe give them an idea of how much their brand is being compromised by service like this.

"...then don't take your hands off"
"...you're going over it with a fine-toothed comb"

It's a NEW bike.

The person you're dealing with needs an almighty boot to the head. That's not just incompetence it's lying.

sk0tt

Hey everyone, thanks for the help,
The headset is smooth and the wheels are true and fully in the dropouts.

Nicodemus, I have tried to speak with Giant, and they have a similar attitude to the shop.
I have to take the bike back when the rep comes and leave it so he can look at it, wont look at it while im there, wont talk to me while im there.


Scott.

Siu Blue Wind

I'd friggen return it. Period. If you can.

Get your money back and get the hell outta Dodge.

sk0tt

Hi everyone,
Not sure if this should be in the Mechanics section or here, sorry.

Just an update for anyone who is interested. I took the bike back and left it for the Giant rep to have a look at and was called back that afternoon. As expected the Giant rep said it was fine.

Was also told that I could spend $10,000 on a bike and have the same problem. I was wondering if it is acceptable for a rear wheel on a new bike to have to be adjusted, so it is central, before being clamped tight. On my previous bike, which was stolen , I would just put the wheel fully into the dropouts and tighten the quick release, no messing about required.

I have tried the 'String test' and the frame appears straight so I think the slots in the rear dropouts must be different depths so that when the wheel is inserted fully it sits on an angle.

The rear brake still feels like it is 'pulsing' but it is better than it was now that I have the wheel clamped in central. The rotor dosnt seem warped, any ideas?



Scott.

Siu Blue Wind

It looks like you've had the bike for over a month now. How long did they have it? Is it too late to just return it altogether and perhaps get another bike that would suit you better?

sk0tt

Siu Blue Wind, the bike has been back about a dozen times, I think it was too late as soon as I paid for it. I like this bike, I would just like the problems sorted out, but im getting no where.

Cyclaholic

Mate, forget dealing with the shop, its getting you nowhere. It's time to make a phone call....

Western Australia

Minister: Hon Sheila McHale, MLA, Minister for Consumer Protection

Department of Consumer & Employment Protection
219 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
Locked Bag 14
Cloisters Square WA 6850
Phone (08) 9282 0777
General Information & Advice 1300 304 054
Web site: www.docep.wa.gov.au

Be clear about the problem, i.e. the bike is faulty to the point of being unsafe, be clear about the efforts you've made to give theshop a chance to rectify the problem, and be clear about exactly what you want done about it whether it be a full refund or replacement.

becnal

The wheel is 5mm to far to one side? Have you tried using a washer?

sk0tt

Hey, thanks for all the help.
Cyclaholic, thanks for that number, I'll give it a go.

I'm sure there was a post here the other day about using a dremel? Cant seem to see it now..

Cyclaholic

If you're going to pursue the shop/manufacturer to rectify the problem then DON'T TOUCH IT! or you'll sabotage your case. leave it exactly as it is untill the situation is resolved. If you end up keeping the bike then you can look at the dremel option

Good luck with it, mate. Let us know how you get on.

sk0tt

Just an update

I got in contact with consumer protection, sent in the forms and two weeks later, got a call from the person handling the case and was told they spoke to the bike shop and the bike shop told them "I thought it was all sorted out".

I said nothing had been sorted out, and she made some calls and organized an independent frame builder to have a look at the bike. Took the bike in and the guy verified there is a problem with the frame. He said it can be fixed and would also realign the disc caliper mount.

Have to check with consumer protection and Giant to see what to do now.


Scott.

Mr. Jim

Wow, quick work, here in the states getting any answer would have taken much longer. Glad to see this is being addressed.

apclassic9

Sounds like Giant - and your bike shop - is selling FAR too many bikes, and therefore REALLY don't need any further business, or new customers... Pass the word on!