Is this really how it is?

[Aggie_Ama]

DH got his FS Specialized Stumpjumper in mid-July. Yesterday he took it in for his first tune up and was told:

1. They need to warranty the fork. No biggie but it will take a month of no bike. However this is a plus because this winter he wants to road race so spending time off the dirt won't hurt and winters here can be rainy.
2. Rear deraileur hanger was bent, could be adjusted but probably will need to be replaced. No biggie I know those do that pretty easy.
3. Chain was toast, needed to be replaced. Huh? After 300 miles when he lubes it with Rock n' Roll everytime? Luckily they warranteed that so it was free.
4. The rear wheel is bent and will need to be replaced at our expense in the future. It is rideable but when it will totally be messed up in unknown.

I was absolutely floored about the wheel. This is a $2500 bike so I would assume good wheels as well. DH told me "That is just mountain biking, the bikes get beat up and need repair. It is just bad luck on the wheel." What the heck? I mean I figured when we spent a great deal of money on this bike it would be better than his old $700 hardtail that was constantly needing something. He doesn't ride stupid when I am along, looks like he is doing what every other competant mountain biker I see is doing. How is it really that rough on the wheel? He said he probably bent it on a rock but really? I am still floored that this is not more shocking to him. Is this really how it is?

I get chains, deraileur hangers but wheels? I am still annoyed about this as you can tell.

[Grog]

That sucks indeed!

Regarding that chain: I've been told by my shop guys that there is such a thing as too much lube. Unless you also clean it thoroughly every time you lube it, the lube will actually help the nasty stuff get into the depths of your chain's links and increase the wear and tear. Now I'm more careful about oiling the chain, but unfortunately I don't always have the time to thoroughly clean the bike, especially in the winter when it would be every day.

About the wheel: I hate to ask, but how heavy is your DH? I know that in road cycling the weight limit on most wheels is 170 lbs, beyond that they don't guarantee them. Of course on a mountain bike you'd expect the wheels to be sturdier than on wheel bikes. But I'm wondering if that could be a factor for you, and if sturdier wheels could help.

Definitely not a happy day for you at the bike shop!!

[fastdogs]

I hope not.
I've already bent my derailleur once, but I worry about my wheels due to my weight. Mine is not a high end bike, but I don't jump or anything like that. I would expect to have to replace the front shocks after a year or so, but it sounds kind of like it could be sooner!
I would have thought on a higher end bike the wheels would be strong enough to take just about anything. Are they covered under warranty at all?

I wonder if the 29er wheels are pretty tough- if I were to upgrade it would be to a 29er (maybe even full suspension too- I made the mistake of stopping the alpine shop and saw a gary fisher hi fi), but it would have to have strong wheels.
vickie

[Irulan]

wheels and derailleur hangers are disposable. All it takes is one whack on a stump or a hard landing on a small jump and something is bent. If you are riding hard, you can easily bend rims. I went through at least three rear wheels adn two derailler hangers on my top of the line Kona.

Mountain biking is hard on bikes. Dirt, grit, impacts.... if you want it to stay all pretty and nice, keep it parked.

You might invest in a $12 chain checker tool. Then you can check your chain wear yourself, no need to have the shop do it.

[PscyclePath]

You might invest in a $12 chain checker tool. Then you can check your chain wear yourself, no need to have the shop do it.

Or even cheaper, get an ordinary ruler. Lay it against the chain, and measure the chain along that length. A new chain should have the pins centered on the 1" and the 12" mark. When that measurement stretches to 12 1/8" or longer, it's high time for a new chain.

I've had good luck with the wheels so far, but have gone through at least one derailleur hanger last winter after a close encounter with a pine tree...

Tom

[Jones]

Or even cheaper, get an ordinary ruler. Lay it against the chain, and measure the chain along that length. A new chain should have the pins centered on the 1" and the 12" mark. When that measurement stretches to 12 1/8" or longer, it's high time for a new chain.

Great information. Is this true for all chains? Mountain and road? I always wondered how to tell if your chain was worn. Thanks.
Jones

[Aggie_Ama]

Grog- It is Rock n' Roll Gold and he wipes the stuff super dry before going, I think it was just a weak chain that comes stock. He fluctuates more than anyone I have ever met but even at his heaviest 185 (and he is 6'2" so that is THIN), right now I think he is at 175 and dropping. I am skeptical looking at how thin and lean he is that weight could be the wheel issue.

Irulan- Not the answer I wanted on the wheels!! I have messed up my road deraileur hanger and I have never crashed the bike, so I knew they weren't exactly durable.

Chain is relatively cheap, as is the hanger. The chain we were a little baffled by but what the heck. Actually the chain wasn't stretched, it just kept breaking at the universal link. We will see how the new one lasts, whatever they are also cheap compared to a darn wheel! Grrrr..... At least the wheel didn't break yet, I just didn't realize we would be investing in wheels in the first year which has me floored.