Incredible lack of quality control out of the box.
09-26-02, 01:13 PM
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Incredible lack of quality control out of the box.
Bike shipped with Left/Right Brake Pads installed on reverse side of machine and adjusted with tow-out, not two-in.
I’ve just discovered that a new bicycle that I was assembling “out the box” was shipped with the brake pads installed on the wrong sides of the machine. These are Linear Pull (V) brakes on a full suspension Mountain Bike that came out of the box with pads whose leading edges where clearly longer than the trailing. To top it off the pads were adjusted with tow out, not tow in, astonishing! An extremely brief test ride instantly yielded blood-curdling squeals that would easily qualify for entry to the Scottish Pipe Band championships, not to say of unsteady brake modulation feedback. (No flames please, my mother, bless her, is Scottish). One glance told of either innovative design or something amiss.
Removing and examining the “pad” on the right front side, yielded clearly marked in English, “WEARLINE” on the Top and the Letter “L” stamp on the shorter arm of the pad. On the Left side of the machine was a pad that bore the same, except “R”. Now the good news is it was consistent; the rear pads were installed on reversed sides and towed out, not in also. The other good news is at that the pad curve followed that of the rim, so at least the left fontal lob was in gear on the “mechanic” who wrenched the pads on. First day on the job no doubt?
Lest I start something that might take away for the hazard issue of this post, the make will remain anonymous, however the Vendor is PACIFIC CYCLE LLE. Please take care if you take delivery of one of the many makes of bicycle from this vendor. Be advised that this was neither a “lowest price” model, nor was it the top of the line. To the component makers merit, the brake pad WEARLINE and Left/Right indicator where very clearly marked, this is good!
Bottom line; if assembling a bicycle out of the box, assume nothing, verify that all components are installed per labeling on each and every component.
And yes, I ran through the First Ride Safety Check List in the Owner’s Manual. “Squeeze the left front brake lever first, then the rear. Try to push the bike forward while each brake lever is being squeezed. Brake resistance should make the wheel difficult or impossible to roll forward” The machine did pass this section with no hint of issues. There was absolutely no information in the Owner’s Manual on specifics of linear brake installation or adjustment. A disconcerting awaking to remain constantly alert for safety issues during assembly.
I’ve just discovered that a new bicycle that I was assembling “out the box” was shipped with the brake pads installed on the wrong sides of the machine. These are Linear Pull (V) brakes on a full suspension Mountain Bike that came out of the box with pads whose leading edges where clearly longer than the trailing. To top it off the pads were adjusted with tow out, not tow in, astonishing! An extremely brief test ride instantly yielded blood-curdling squeals that would easily qualify for entry to the Scottish Pipe Band championships, not to say of unsteady brake modulation feedback. (No flames please, my mother, bless her, is Scottish). One glance told of either innovative design or something amiss.
Removing and examining the “pad” on the right front side, yielded clearly marked in English, “WEARLINE” on the Top and the Letter “L” stamp on the shorter arm of the pad. On the Left side of the machine was a pad that bore the same, except “R”. Now the good news is it was consistent; the rear pads were installed on reversed sides and towed out, not in also. The other good news is at that the pad curve followed that of the rim, so at least the left fontal lob was in gear on the “mechanic” who wrenched the pads on. First day on the job no doubt?
Lest I start something that might take away for the hazard issue of this post, the make will remain anonymous, however the Vendor is PACIFIC CYCLE LLE. Please take care if you take delivery of one of the many makes of bicycle from this vendor. Be advised that this was neither a “lowest price” model, nor was it the top of the line. To the component makers merit, the brake pad WEARLINE and Left/Right indicator where very clearly marked, this is good!
Bottom line; if assembling a bicycle out of the box, assume nothing, verify that all components are installed per labeling on each and every component.
And yes, I ran through the First Ride Safety Check List in the Owner’s Manual. “Squeeze the left front brake lever first, then the rear. Try to push the bike forward while each brake lever is being squeezed. Brake resistance should make the wheel difficult or impossible to roll forward” The machine did pass this section with no hint of issues. There was absolutely no information in the Owner’s Manual on specifics of linear brake installation or adjustment. A disconcerting awaking to remain constantly alert for safety issues during assembly.
09-26-02, 01:30 PM
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It seems to me that, when brake pads are installed on opposite sides, they would need to be towed out. Furthermore, the levers should have been reversed so that the left lever operated the rear brake (or front brake in the U.K.)
Perhaps the mechanic who assembled the bike should join that new organization D.A.M. (Mothers Against Dyslexia).
On the subject of bagpipes, I would like the pipes played at my funeral. At least then I won't have to hear them.
Perhaps the mechanic who assembled the bike should join that new organization D.A.M. (Mothers Against Dyslexia).
On the subject of bagpipes, I would like the pipes played at my funeral. At least then I won't have to hear them.
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Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
