Sir Stuey

So I dropped my new bike off for the free 30 day tune-up. I asked the same mechanic who sold me the bike if they could lower the handlebar height. He said that they can't really do that because it requires cutting the steering tube and that it also requires pushing the star-nut further in (I was already aware of this). He said that not even he would attempt that and that it would be better for me to buy a new bike if I wanted a different handlebar/stem height.

WTF! I read enough about this online that I could do it myself. The least he could have done was see of a different mechanic at the shop could do it. Or he could have even said that I could always buy a different angled stem. But to say that it cannot be done at all??? So much for a "proper fitting".

I was already irritated by these guys - my 1st ride with the bike I noticed the handlebars were rotating freely and a week later the stem rotated freely about the steering tube out of the blue while I was a few miles away from home.

Depending on what changes I notice when I pick my bike up in 8 days, I'll be either angry (best case scenario) or furious (if they frustrate me any more).

ARGH!

Oh yea, I've got 3 spacers on the steering tube as well, so there's no good reason why they won't lower it.

barba

You could also just swap a few spacers above the stem. Find another shop.

mcoomer

Yeah, swap a spacer from bottom to top. Do that until you find the height that you like then you can cut it or leave it. And yeah, if your bike shop is pissing you off, for any reason, it's time to find a new shop. Bikeys are supposed to be fun!

probable556

Your bike shop sucks. Next time buy your bike on eBay, much better customer service

Svr

If you're reporting this correctly, the mech is a moron. Swap spacers bottom to top or try a stem with a lower rise.

Sir Stuey

That's another thing he could have suggested. I already figured I could swap the spacers around but I didn't want to touch anything until I saw if they could do it for me as part of the 30 day tune up.

Well, I always liked doing things myself, I guess now I'll have to. I checked out another bike shop in the area and the mechanics there were very seedy. They tried to sell me a $20 pump for $40 when I asked what they had in stock. The thing that I did like about the shop where I bought my bike is that they didn't pressure me at all about anything. When I go to pick up the bike I'll see if anyone else there would be willing to adjust the stem. But as it is, I'm annoyed that I was never properly fit to the bike. I guess it's another one of their jobs that's now my job.

sparks_219 

You can also flip the stem upside down. Seriously though, I'd find another shop as this mechanic seem VERY incompetent.

Portis

And of course you can buy a different stem. Yeah, forget that shop.

idleuser

Haha... not to laugh at your misfortunes, but that bike "mechanic" shouldn't be anywhere near bikes. He might get someone hurt!

Sir Stuey

*crosses fingers*

Here's to hoping that someone else takes care of the 30 day tune-up.

Quick_Torch C5

Sorry to hear that, I hate it when any bad mechanics makes other good mechanics(or shops) look bad. Yes, your proper fitting (IE cutting the steerer tube to fit you) should be included with any bike purchase.

Lt.Gustl

is that mechanics other job a salesperson on commision, or are all shops training their bike assemblers to say that line?

now we know why manufacturers went to threadless...to sell more bikes!

20/20 and dateline need to do a hidden camera for bikeshops, the technology is here now.

as an example I just got three bikes in the last few months because of these "Pros" the first was a MTB assembled with the FD halfway up the seat tube, dude didn't want to deal with it so just gave it to me. I had an oldtimer at the LBS half mile down the road remedy it for the cost of the new cable, can't get any better than that. So later I trade this exact same bike for a midrange 80s DT shifter Bianchi because a "mechanic" at the bike shop near him said 27" tires aren't even made anymore and he might as well get a new bike because they're hard to find and will cost more than the bike is worth. He told me this and new I had my eye on the bike after it got sold to him for $50 before he got the flat that rendered his bike worthless, I tell him 99% of bike shops are full of crap and offer to swap him the MTB for the Bianchi since he had it hobo handled anyway and wasn't the right bike for his needs. The third was a hybrid that I got for $30 no doubt because the owner fell for the LBS "..might as well buy another" con, this bike was ten years old but was kept in great shape and looks brand new, the not cost-effective fix?.. took as long as finding my adjustable wrench and loosening the kickstand that was binding the FD cable, ten damned seconds and the bike was functioning perfectly...the bikes former owner is now enjoying a brand new bike to store for the next ten years in the garage.

I wish someone said that crap to me in a full store, there are honest bike shops. You just have to find them and it seems to be getting harder because owners think internet competition is an excuse for low caliber service and crummy stock.

good luck.

ussprinceton

I totally agree with what has been said. I do all the work myself.

disandat

Ditto to that. Only you know how you feel about how your bike fits. No mechanic can duplicate that.

Curtis_Elwood

Did you try talking to the manager/owner? Sounds like you already know the mechanic is a jerk. Take it up a level and take your future purchases somewhere else.

Sir Stuey

I'll talk to the guy that's definitely his superior when I go to pick my bike up. The reason I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt is because this guy seemed new. He new a lot about bikes but not too much about the Trek line and this is a Trek and Giant dealer only. His superior briefly scolded him about using the bike shop's stickers to attach a receipt to the bike.

But it's a moot point for now since there's another 6 days *rolls eyes* before they'll get to the bike.

Sir Stuey

So I picked up the bike today. The guy I previously dealt with wasn't there but I spoke with the mechanic that did the adjustments on the bike.

He right then and there adjusted the stem for me, helped me find the right seat height, and showed me how to true the wheel, and answered a few questions about clipless pedals.

I asked who did the adjustments on the bike and he said it was him. He said that the guy I dealt with before doesn't know as much as he tries to pretend to know. So I feel a lot better about the bike shop and will definitely go back there in the future.

Raiyn

Yeah I'd skip the other guy. The wrench you got this time around sounds like a keeper.

zonatandem

Mechanic (?) must've been a 30-day wonder from that famous Wallmart Pro Bike store!
If you want it done right, do it yourself.

Sir Stuey

I agree. I appreciated his advice and efforts so much that I tipped him. At the very least, it made me feel a lot better about the bike shop.

Sir Stuey

It'll take money to acquire a few more tools, and a lot of learning/practice time but I agree - trial and error shall set me free!

Raiyn

Keep the tipping on the down-low. Some shops / managers have an issue with the wrenches taking money on the side. Some rightfully so. Tips are a reward not an expectation.

achc

screw the shop...there are many ways you can do this

put the spacers on top of the stem instead
if you want, you can cut the steertube but you can't extent it back up after its cut so cut accordingly
change a different angle stem
flip the stem (only if your stem is design for both ways)
If you have a riser bar, change to flat bar



But buying a new bike just because of that is nonsense.

Sir Stuey

Exactly. I rewarded him for helping me out and his boss should do so too - he improved my perspective of the shop and I'll be heading back there in the future. I'd also like to write a letter to the shop manager/owner but don't want to get the other (mechanically less-inclined and misinformed) guy into too much trouble.

I was aware of most of these suggestions before I asked one of the mechanics about it last week when I dropped the bike off. The thing is, he gave me bad answers and after I had bad experiences with the initial bike build, I was completely turned off from this shop.

I was a little intimidated in regard to taking the stem off which is why I didn't try it before the 30 day tuneup. It's only been 6 weeks since I bought the bike so I'm taking baby steps.

brad06ag

This alone should be reason enough to learn to work on your own bike. I couldn't stand having my bike gone that long for any reason.