Bike build problems - what would you do?
03-01-10, 12:25 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Bike build problems - what would you do?
I just had a bike built up by a (for now anonymous) local bike shop. They have a good reputation, but I've not used them before.
Took it out for the first time and found two problems:
1) The rear skewer was loose by almost a full turn – I discovered this as I pushed off; the wheel pulled into the stays and I ground to a halt. Good job I wasn't on my downhill start as this might not have happened immediately, but at 40mph in traffic.
2) The cassette had not been tightened. When I handed over the components, I told them I'd put it on by hand, but the mechanic said he'd make a note and that the bike would be tested anyway.
Needless to say, I was mad
, but the shop is closed, so I fired off an email asking for an explanation.
Maybe they'll come back very apologetic, but how would you feel and what would you do in this situation?
Took it out for the first time and found two problems:
1) The rear skewer was loose by almost a full turn – I discovered this as I pushed off; the wheel pulled into the stays and I ground to a halt. Good job I wasn't on my downhill start as this might not have happened immediately, but at 40mph in traffic.
2) The cassette had not been tightened. When I handed over the components, I told them I'd put it on by hand, but the mechanic said he'd make a note and that the bike would be tested anyway.
Needless to say, I was mad
, but the shop is closed, so I fired off an email asking for an explanation.Maybe they'll come back very apologetic, but how would you feel and what would you do in this situation?
03-01-10, 04:29 PM
#2
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What would I do:
1. Tighten the skewer
2. Tighten the cassette lock ring.
3. Check the rest of the bike.
4. Ride.
1. Tighten the skewer
2. Tighten the cassette lock ring.
3. Check the rest of the bike.
4. Ride.
__________________
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
03-01-10, 04:44 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
2 - I have to buy a Campy nut (I only have a Shimano)... having spent £60.00 on the build, I don't think so.
4 - You'd just laugh it off and forget about the fact that it could have killed you?
03-01-10, 06:44 PM
#4
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03-01-10, 06:56 PM
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I buy & sell bikes for hobby money. Have a lot of experience doing this. Every bike gets ridden to the beach & back. It's about a 15 mile ride. Every bike needs a little something tightened or adjusted by the time I get back. But they all feel fine after the first quick spin around the block. Sounds like yours didn't get a proper test ride.
03-01-10, 07:31 PM
#6
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I only trust me to check out my bike. It's part of the pre-ride routine; so loose stuff would not have endangered me.
A loose nut is an opportunity to buy a tool. After a while, you'll have a full set.
A loose nut is an opportunity to buy a tool. After a while, you'll have a full set.
03-02-10, 02:12 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
It's a sad reflection on bike shop mechanics if the only person you can trust to do a job properly is yourself. I normally do the pre-ride routine, but fresh from the workshop, I kinda imagined that everything might be screwed down right. Silly of me...
Oh well, I guess mechanics get paid peanuts and they don't call them grease monkeys for nothing. (With apologies to every self-respecting mechanic out there - you're all getting tarred with the same brush I'm afraid.)
Oh well, I guess mechanics get paid peanuts and they don't call them grease monkeys for nothing. (With apologies to every self-respecting mechanic out there - you're all getting tarred with the same brush I'm afraid.)
Last edited by Monkey Face; 03-02-10 at 02:17 AM.
03-02-10, 07:42 AM
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I always go over what I had the shop do point by point so I know it was done.
03-02-10, 09:27 AM
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Even the best of people can make mistakes. You've never forgotten ANYTHING in your life?
03-02-10, 09:35 AM
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Hmm, not very often I have tighten up very much after a test ride, or after WEEKS of riding.
And I've NEVER had to re-snug a cassette lockring. They're tight when I install, and they're tight when I change them. Full turn on a skewer? Sloppy work.
My present bike is a frame-up build; ONE TIME, I had a barely loose skewer, took the 10 seconds to fix it and went on.
I can't blame anyone for any problems I encounter; I built it, I have to take it. NOBODY has ever worked on my bike for me. (Yup, control freak when it comes to the bike)
And I've NEVER had to re-snug a cassette lockring. They're tight when I install, and they're tight when I change them. Full turn on a skewer? Sloppy work.
My present bike is a frame-up build; ONE TIME, I had a barely loose skewer, took the 10 seconds to fix it and went on.
I can't blame anyone for any problems I encounter; I built it, I have to take it. NOBODY has ever worked on my bike for me. (Yup, control freak when it comes to the bike)
03-02-10, 11:03 AM
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Until I was able to come up with an answer, I wouldn't open up the topic. Rants might make you feel assertive, but they seldom accomplish very much. Once I had figured out what I thought would be equitable, I'd just ask for it: "I think you owe me a couple of free inner tubes because you didn't tighten the cassette when you built my bike and I almost crashed because of it."
Second, why install anything loosely? Either install the cassette properly or leave it off. That would have eliminated the opportunity for the error.
