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

[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

[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

[emily_in_nc]

Carrie Anne, I can't believe they are still jerking you around like this. Your bikes should be #1 priority with them, and they are obviously falling through the cracks.

FYI, I have 170mm cranks on my Crusoe (and on my Aegis, and on my mountain bikes), and I'm shorter than you (28.5" inseam). I also have a laidback seatpost on my Crusoe (Kalloy aluminum, same as came on my Terry Isis) and was able to get a good KOPS position with my saddle back far on the rails. I do have a shorter stem than I wanted, however. I had told them I wanted to end up with a 9-10 cm stem, and because they wouldn't make my top tube quite as short as I requested (even after the redo of the frame), I ended up with about a 5-6 cm stem. However, it hasn't proved to be a problem to date.

At this point, I would probably tell them I wanted money back for both bikes and just end it. They have not treated you the way companies that want to keep their customers should.

I am so sorry!

Emily

[Blueberry]

Emily~

We're still working with them - I really want a Bike Friday (folding...) or I never would have put myself through this! However, they did put in writing that we would be able to send back if they couldn't get the fit right, and we weren't happy (even if it's outside of 30 days).

They overnighted the crank, and we should have the bikes back from the shop today. Hopefully that will fix the knee position (I think it will, since I don't have a similar problem on DH's bike. So...we're still working with it. I also got a very apologetic email from the guy who dropped the ball. Plus, our sales person has gotten much more involved now, and seems to be keeping things moving.

Hope you'll get to ride some this weekend - looks like perfect weather!

Carrie Anne

[emily_in_nc]

Carrie Anne,

So glad things seem to be looking up! I hope the new crankset will help with the KOPS issue. It sounds like you have gotten their attention, so maybe the bad days are behind you.

No riding this weekend -- the weather is definitely very nice, but I still have bruises and bruised ribs from my most recent fall so am not riding for awhile. It even hurts to ride the trainer (from the ribs). Not terribly, but enough that I'm not very motivated to ride at the moment. I just need a mental break, I think. I'm so tired of falling and am going through another period of being a little spooked about riding. I can run and hike without pain, so we're doing that this weekend, plus yard work, and packing and getting ready for our trip to Key Largo -- leaving Monday! We'll be sailing (every day we hope), kayaking, etc. No bikes. The weather is supposed to be 80+ at least until next weekend, when it's going to get really cold here in NC and maybe just a little cooler than average in south Florida.

Good luck with your bike!

Emily

[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.