How can this be with my new bike?
OK folks, I traded in my bike a few months ago for a WSD Fuji Silhouette 07 (affectionately named Song.) I hate to say this, but as much as I love the lightness of this new bike (carbon fiber throughout),it has had some problem or another for 4 out of 5 rides!!
My front cables broke on 2 rides- I was told by Peformance BS that I was shifting too "roughly". What the heck? I'm such a puny rider that I'm worried any extra push may break something. Additional advice-come back into the store to replace the cable if it won't drop into the smaller ring again. Also I was told that I have a triple shifter being used on a double compact ring. Why the heck would Fuji do that? I'm scratching my head.:confused:
Another Bike shop takes a look at the shifter and say, "naah, you've got double shifters". Whatever...... I'm getting deflated by then.
On my 3rd ride the cable from the rear derailleur(sp?) became frayed because it was bolted too tightly in and my shoe brushing against the cable eventually caused it to untwist. Had to take it back to the store for them to replace it.
Finally today, the weather eases up in ATL-I get out there on my bike with the guys. BTW- that's a good thing that they've stopped calling me "Crash", only to get in the middle of the hill and have the chain fall off when trying to shift to the small chain in front. We get that problem solved and no more than 3 rotations from that problem, the rear hanger completely hangs in the middle of my shifting to a larger ring in the rear and everything jams with a screeching halt.:eek: That was it..end of ride. I was advised not to try and ride anymore in order to avoid further damage to the chain.
The only thing these events had in common was shifting from my large to small ring. I didn't have this problem with my triple ring Scattante and I was much more clumsy inexperienced rider then, but somehow I always end up with this problem on my double compact Fuji.
Everyone keeps advising me that this may not be the best bike for me in the end. I'm now completely deflated at the thought of another trade in with PBS (although I'm glad I have the option) but am I really doing this all wrong?
How can this be with my new bike?
Well, first I must say that Fuji makes a great bike. Although the key to a great bike is having a shop that is experienced enough to set it up CORRECTLY! It sounds to me that someone may have been a bit inexperienced setting up your bike... in 17 years as a mechanic, I've never seen a cable fray because it was clamped too tight. Did the cable have a cable end on it?(metal thing covering the end) Although it can happen.... my point to all of this is that it sounds like this bike was a learning experience for someone, and now unfortunately for you! I would take it back to Performance and have their ace mechanic go through the entire bike... if that isn't possible then I would take it to another LBS. They should be looking for a bent chain, derailleur hanger, derailleurs set up correctly,and the fact that the cables are fed through the shifters correctly and also run through housing that isn't frayed or has wires sticking from it and simply going through the entire bike.
AS for shifting on hills, what I normally try to tell people is try to quess what gear you need to be in before you start. If you happen to shift during the hill and want to shift to your small ring, then shift up one in the back first. This takes up more slack for your front derailleur and generally helps quite a bit. Remember that when you are shifting during the hill to be patient, and try and put less stress on the pedals during the shift... once the chain has moved then you should be all set.
I hope someone takes their time to simply check over your bike; it's simply unacceptable for someone not to enjoy their new bike! Have fun and keep us posted!!
