ARGH!!!!!!!! (Bike Fridays - Long)

[KnottedYet]

How about trying a Rodgriguez W2 or Houdini if the Bike Fridays won't work for you? www.rodcycle.com

They pack into a 26x26 suitcase, are custom made, and cost $2,700. Made here in Seattle, good reputation. I know of a few women with Rodgriguez bikes and haven't heard anything bad about them.

I was considering one of their other touring bikes, but then Flossie came into my life... Her lovely lugs just stole my heart away.

[mimitabby]

hey, their(rodriguez) 8 ball is a cool idea, too. it's a tandem that fits into 2 cases that can also be a single bike!!

[Blueberry]

Thanks, Mimitabby. That is helpful!

I actually did some detective work this morning, and discovered that the cable routing is completely wrong, which is what caused the brake to rub. UGH.

I really don't want to have to ship the bike back a second time. It's a week each way, and it's a PITA. We'll see what they say tomorrow.

The Rodriguez is an interesting idea - I'll keep it in mind if this doesn't work out.

[mimitabby]

talk about damning photos!

[Triskeliongirl]

Did you talk to them today? What did they say? Please let us know. I loved my pocket rocket pro until she was stolen. Yes, I had my problems with BF, but they were always responsive and the bike performed very well and was very convenient to travel with. I rode her from Chiapis to Guatemala with no problems. But, I did learn that whenever you pack any bike, you need to aquire some mechanical skills as any bike gets out of adjustment when you go through packing, shipping, etc. But what you are describing is clearly something different, that you must work out with Bike Friday if they want to keep you as a customer.

[Blueberry]

Hubby talked to a couple of different people today (I had a 12+ hour work day). First line of folks were horrified, but not sure what to do. Then he got someone else on the phone. First thing he wanted to know was whether we were still willing to work with them (we are - so long as they start "getting it right" - my fear was waiting too long and getting stuck with a bike that wasn't right). We're supposed to be getting an email about all of this but, this is what I know so far:

1) They're sending new suitcases. We didn't ask them to, but they were quite upset about the damage and wanted us to have perfect ones.

2) They're sending touch up paint. If that doesn't provide a satisfactory result, they will re-paint, or give a certificate for a repaint in the future (after a couple of trips).

3) They had a really bad mechanic, who has since been fired. He worked on our bikes (though one wonders why they let him work on them a second time when they said they would "hand check" them completely themselves).

4) They are going to work with me on fit - they're sending me their fit kit information to see if we can ascertain why I'm so uncomfortable on the bike. We think the seat tube may be too steep (apparently their fit software often produces this problem for female riders). They will re-build as necessary.

5) They are willing to work with a LBS regarding cable re-routing, etc. Triskeliongirl - you are correct about minor adjustments, and I'm comfortable fiddling with barrel adjustments, etc. However, brake digging into the frame is a little beyond my mechanical skill

So...all in all, I'm happy with their response - SO LONG AS THEY GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME. This was strike 2 - they have one more chance, so far as I'm concerned. Let's hope we can work it out as I really like the company, the concept and the bikes

[Triskeliongirl]

5) They are willing to work with a LBS regarding cable re-routing, etc. Triskeliongirl - you are correct about minor adjustments, and I'm comfortable fiddling with barrel adjustments, etc. However, brake digging into the frame is a little beyond my mechanical skill

Absolutely. The brake digging into the frame is indeed apalling. But, with any travel bike you are also going to have to learn how to do a bit more than turn a barrel adjuster, just a word of warning. If I were you guys, I would be sure to get them to guarantee in writing, that if they get it wrong on try 3 that you can still return the bikes, and also be sure to take that certificate for a paint job. When my bike friday arrived, it also had damaged paint on the seat stay and the top tube was too long. They remade the half that the top tube is on, with the correctly sized top tube, and then the fit was perfect. They repainted the seatstay, but you could see that it had been touched up and while this was OK, it always bugged me that if I were to want to sell it one day it would decrease its value, so that is why I suggest taking the touch up paint, but also the re-paint certificate. I think what happened to you, and me, has to do with the fact that they are a small family business. That has pluses and minuses. It means maybe there is more room for screw ups like this, but there is also more opportunity for them to give folks really personal service. Buying a bike friday is buying into a community, and it is a damn good community, both the people that make these bikes and the people who ride them. So, I think it is worth working with them on this, but just make sure you protect yourself if they don't get it right next time. Good luck and keep us updated.

[emily_in_nc]

CA~

I've been meaning to ask you for an update on this but keep forgetting until I am away from a computer, so was glad to see this thread resurface. I am so sorry your Bike Fridays still aren't right! It's good to know that they fired the bad mechanic, but the problems that occurred the second time around (other than the UPS issues, which BF has no control over) should never have happened. Our Fridays were packed so nicely with no damage whatsoever when they came from the company (mine both times).

I think it's generous of you to still want to work things out and glad that they seem committed to making things right. They really are good people - if imperfect. But we have been very happy with our Crusoes and have not experienced these problems at all, so it's still possible that things will end up positive. I agree that one more chance is all they get.

I'm a bit confused about the possible seat tube geometry issue. I thought that the Crusoe had a 73-degree seat tube angle and that that wouldn't change, regardless of size. Guess I was wrong there. My bike is presumably even smaller than yours since I'm shorter, and it is quite comfy -- comfy enough to do our long loaded tour in 2004 (averaged 63 miles/daily for nine days). Then again, my Aegis has a STA of 75 degrees and is very comfortable for me too. My Terry Isis had a STA of 73 degrees -- once again, comfy. I guess in all cases b/c the top tube was short enough, the handlebars were the right size, and so forth, the STA didn't affect me as much as it might some people; I dunno.

GOOD LUCK with getting things made right, and please continue to post about what is happening!

Emily

[Triskeliongirl]

PLEASE UPDATE us on the status of your BF. I have a friend who was a happy BF customer until his air friday just broke for the third time. Twice the frame and once the titanium beam. They always repaired it, but he is fed up and just ordered an S/S coupled waterford touring bike

[KnottedYet]

Mmmmm.... Waterford....



Flossie doesn't have S+S couplers, but I'm thinking if I ever want a travel bike I'll do another Waterford or a Rodriguez with the couplers.

[Blueberry]

I had wanted to see how things were going to shake out before posting again, to give Bike Friday the benefit of the doubt, but not much seems to be happening, so I think it's fair to post again.

We did finally receive the replacement suitcases last Friday. After 2 weeks of not getting calls back (after we were referred to the customer service manager!), we finally got in touch with someone else. They have authorized my LBS to do the repair work. They've finally admitted that perhaps I do need the crank length I use on the rest of my bikes, and said that we would have a new one no later than last friday (and a set back seat post in case the crank doesn't do enough to fix KOP position). I emailed on Friday (since they hadn't sent the promised tracking info), and still haven't gotten a response. They want to hold all of the repairs for one time, so DH's bike still isn't right.

And Emily - apparently what they told me about varying seat tube angle was NOT correct (that came from their customer service manager). However, we aren't sure why I can get a good knee position on DH's bike (we ride almost exactly the same saddle height), but not on mine. That's why we're trying the longer cranks (DH's are 170's, which is what I'm getting) and set back seatpost. The crank really shouldn't make *that* much of a difference...Of course, then I may well have to shorten the stem, which will bring with it a whole new set of problems.

I really am getting fed up. We keep hearing "your bikes are first priority and we'll work until we get them right," and then it's 2-4 weeks before we hear anything else. We're not too far from asking to return them. I can't imagine what this kind of service could do to a tour....

Thoughts are always welcome Will update as we know more.

Carrie Anne

[Triskeliongirl]

Mmmmm.... Waterford....
Flossie doesn't have S+S couplers, but I'm thinking if I ever want a travel bike I'll do another Waterford or a Rodriguez with the couplers.

FYI, Flossie can be retrofit. I'm doing that on a steel terry isis as we speak. She is supposed to be shipped after thanksgiving from Bilenky Cyle Works, recommended to me by Georgena Terry http://www.bilenky.com/Retrofits.html

My understanding is that s/s packed bikes require more technical knowledge to assemble than a bike friday but are very robust. I hate to say it but at this point I would return those bike fridays for a full refund while you still can. Something has happened to their quality control, and you have given them ample time to fix it. This goes way deeper than one bad employee that is no longer there.

[ridethewind]

I really am getting fed up. We keep hearing "your bikes are first priority and we'll work until we get them right," and then it's 2-4 weeks before we hear anything else. We're not too far from asking to return them.

I think you should just give up and return the bikes for a refund. BF has had more than enough time to make this right and now they are not returning calls and stringing the process out for weeks. Sounds like they are not really serious about getting this done. The sooner you can get your money back, the better off you will be. It's sad that BF has taken what should have been an exciting purchase and made it so miserable for you.

Jean

[Triskeliongirl]

They've finally admitted that perhaps I do need the crank length I use on the rest of my bikes, and said that we would have a new one no later than last friday (and a set back seat post in case the crank doesn't do enough to fix KOP position). ...However, we aren't sure why I can get a good knee position on DH's bike (we ride almost exactly the same saddle height), but not on mine. That's why we're trying the longer cranks (DH's are 170's, which is what I'm getting) and set back seatpost. The crank really shouldn't make *that* much of a difference...Of course, then I may well have to shorten the stem, which will bring with it a whole new set of problems....

I also couldn't get a good KOP on my PRP until I got a laid back seatpost. BUT, be aware that while all bike fridays are *supposed* to have a 73 degree seat tube angle, since on a bike friday its set by the hinge and not weld, theis could be off. A 1 degree change in STA will cause a 1 cm change in set back which I bet is your problem. I always suspected this was the case on my BF since the apparent top tube size they claimed my bike was was not consistent with measurements I got of the bike, *unless* the STA was not 73 which I always suspected but couldn't accurately measure. BUT, a very laid back seatpost should correct this for you. PM me if the one they send doesn't work out and I can tell you what is out there since I have a lot of experience with this. It also depends on the saddle. Are you comparing the same saddle on both bikes. If the saddle on your husband's bike has longer rails so it can be pushed further back, that may explain the position difference. FYI, Brooks saddles have quite short rails so I had to revisit this issue recently.

Actually, I am pretty sure the STA was not as specified on my PRP, becasue if I compare the setback measurement I got dropping a plumb bob off the front of the saddle using the same seatpost and saddle and bike that also has a 73 degree STA I got a different measurement. Only problem now is I can't go back and check measurements since that bike was stolen. I only learned this when I was setting up my next bike. Also be aware that when you assmeble the friday the seatpost has to be ALL the way back before securing the quick release or the setback is off. While this sounds obvious, I did make this mistake on occastion

[Blueberry]

I emailed on Friday (since they hadn't sent the promised tracking info), and still haven't gotten a response.

So...the latest....

DH called today to find out where the crank and seatpost are. They had completely *forgotten* about it. They overnighted the crank to me today (and upgraded to a nicer crank since they didn't have what I wanted in stock) and I'm supposed to work with my travel consultant to figure out which set back they should order *since they don't have any in stock.* Nevermind the fact that they were supposed to have shipped one over a week ago.

Oh yeah, and they had *forgotten* that the bike shop was supposed to re-route all the cables (and apparently that they told me to wait on having it done).

UGH!!!!! Yes, it's about time to pack them back up (good thing they got DH on the phone - I would have told them not to bother sending the crank...)

Carrie Anne