Trouble with bike shops

[Cataboo]

What I don't quite get is... Brakes are pretty simple. I can't see how badly put together they can be or messed up - as long as they're not rubbing the tire when you're braking, and your braking is working...And you have to make sure they're screwed on tightly. So I can't see how the shops are accusing each other of doing a bad job on the brakes. (if they were rubbing, you clamp down on the brakes hard, it centers the brakes - and then you tighten them with an allen wrench there)

You sound like you have had several bikes before... so I'm not sure how you've been shifting and whether that's a factor to some of the problems that you're having.

You've described gear slippage when you're powering through intersections or gears not shifting at that point - and any time that you're shifting under load, you make it a lot harder for the bike to shift. I've never used sora, but I can feel my 105 components complaining when I do it to them.

So taking it easier when you're shifting may make it easier on the bike to work better. When I'm coming up to an intersection that I know I'm going to stop at - I down shift to make sure that I can get off to a fast start. You really don't want to be shifting gears through an intersection - you want to get out of there and away from the cars as soon as possible. Same with hills - theoretically you want to be in the right gear to spin up the hill before you get there and not trying to shift while on the hill. (I suck and haven'tmanaged that, but theoretically)... However, if you're going to down shift on the front when you're going up a hill, shift up a couple gears in the back & then shift to give the chain a little bit more play & not make it as stressful on the bike... and then you can downshift in the back if you need it.

[uforgot]

What I don't quite get is... Brakes are pretty simple. I can't see how badly put together they can be or messed up - as long as they're not rubbing the tire when you're braking, and your braking is working...And you have to make sure they're screwed on tightly I can't see how the shops are accusing each other of doing a bad job on the brakes. (if they were rubbing, you clamp down on the brakes hard, it centers the brakes - and then you tighten them with an allen wrench there)

That stuck me odd, also! How can you totally screw up the brakes?

[indysteel]

I had the same thought. Adjustment of the calipers themselves is actually pretty straightforward. Has either shop specified what, exactly, was wrong with how they were installed? Is their something wrong with the brake cables?

[Cataboo]

Also - you just bought a new bike, as you ride it, the cables stretch... So you sort of expect that the bike is going to need another tune after the first however many miles or so, that's usually why bike shops throw in a free tuning shortly after you buy it

[bike4ever]

greta -

Return to the shop where you purchased the bike. Get a copy of each invoice where they have adjusted your bike - most shops today record everything in the computer. The bike needs to be properly built for it to work correctly. Since this bike has introductory quality components, the components will need regular maintenance.

Also at this point, only deal with the store manager and the head mechanic. Calmly explain your frustration in the quality of the build and the quality of their repair. Give the shop one more chance to get the bike working properly. You have two options then - ask/demand a full refund or go to Giant's website and contact them directly explaining your dealings with this particular shop.

Although I no longer sell Giant, Giant will take all dealer complaints seriously.

[greta]

I had the same thought. Adjustment of the calipers themselves is actually pretty straightforward. Has either shop specified what, exactly, was wrong with how they were installed? Is their something wrong with the brake cables?

I thought it all odd too. Seems like they just want to knock the other shop but don't offer solid info. Except this time he said the brake pads were on the tire. They don't seem to stay where they're put!

[greta]

Are the sora components not that good as the bike guy told me when I bought it? Or was he just wanting me to upgrade. I wish I knew more. Thank you for your advice also. It seems very sound.

[Biciclista]

Sora components are heavy. That's all. They should work fine and last you for years.

[greta]

I also thought brakes are pretty simple, although no mechanic here by any means. I noticed black tire specks all over the front fork before bringing my bike to the shop the other day and thought that odd. l always shift down before intersections intentionally but once in a while the light will change at the last minute and I can't shift down. I know odd but it's like when I shift the big gears, it's a triple, from the middle either way it only half shifts and gets noisy and I have to keep shifting back and forth. It would jump 2 either way sometimes and if it was shifted down before the intersection and I start up sometimes it starts slipping. These are busy streets and in Arizona where I live these are not good drivers. We have alot of impatient people and snowbirds here which don't make for safety. I am constantly wary.

I should have spent the extra money for the good components but it's late now. This is the first new bike I've ever bought, except my mountain bike I use in the canals. I have an assortment of used bikes I keep buying. When I first got the bike I fell real hard when I went from the road to the sidewalk and my back tire followed the curb division rather than me. The shifters lost paint on the ends of them or I would have asked if I could return and upgrade. I am 52 and want to be in better shape,(I have belly/back fat accumulating) so I have opted for this and kayaking rather than the gym. I am not experienced.

[pinkbikes]

When I first got the bike I fell real hard when I went from the road to the sidewalk and my back tire followed the curb division rather than me. The shifters lost paint on the ends of them or I would have asked if I could return and upgrade.

Which side did your bike fall on when you had your fall? If it fell "expensive side" down (that'd be the side with derailleurs) and the rear derailleur made contact with the ground, it is possible you could have bent your derailleur hanger. This is a little bit of sacrificial bracket that your derailleur is attached to and then attaches to the rear of your frame. It is supposed to bend/break before your frame does! And then you replace it, which is a lot cheaper than a repair to the frame.

I leant my bike on a wall and it fell over (oh so gently) and it landed on and bent mine ever so slightly. It will (and did) result in sketchy gear changing on the rear (if only slightly bent) right down to gawd-awful horrid not-changing/noisiness if it is really bent (like when some gumby ran into the back of me when he overshot the rest stop on a group ride on time).

While I think the bike shop has been a bit ordinary in their treatment of you, if they haven't been told you have had a little stack, they might not look for a bent hanger and may find it difficult to diagnose the problem and fix it, particulalry if the problem is only slight or intermittent when under load. But if the hanger is bent, it is a quick and very simple fix and your components should work like new (as they should really).

Good luck!

[Cataboo]

The fall also might have contributed to her brakes rubbing initially as well.

[lauraelmore1033]

I've had brake rub from the wheel not being quite true. It was on a new bike and I was told that it is common for new wheels to go out of true rather quickly.

[OakLeaf]

Have you had a bike with brifters before?

I don't know Sora, but in other Shimano gruppi, the front shifter is designed to "trim" the front derailleur with a half-push. It takes a firm push with a long lever travel to shift it. Likewise, the rear shifter can shift one or two cogs at once depending on how far you push the lever.

Cables will stretch on a new bike and need re-adjustment several times in the first few hundred miles.

Honestly, this type of adjustment (including brake pad alignment) is something you should be able to do yourself, because you'll want to make adjustments and replace frequently worn parts without running to the LBS every time. Browse through the Maintenance & Repair section for references to good books (sorry, I don't know any myself). Or if you're already comfortable with hand tools and good shop practices, Shimano's website and the Park Tool website, between them, have everything you need to know.

[alpinerabbit]

I'm too lazy and actually a bit scaired to do/learn these types of adjustments (although last year I did learn how to fine tune the limiter screws). My bike gets a yearly "haircut" from the trusted LBS, and that's that.

Shimano gruppi

argh - bike newspeak...

someone once even suggested only Campy can even legally be called a gruppo; the big S, not being italian bred, would be a groupset; but plural? screws up my ears good