My new bike, finshed.

[Antaresia]

pedaling backwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssEeSq-vCl0

Mmmmmm sounds like a $2000 bike to me.
Sorry it's so shaky, the bike was hard to hold. And while you can't really see what's going on, you sure can see it isn't right.

I dug up some reviews. I'm going to hold off posting my own until everything is done and over with.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/mighty-riders-vancouver

[laura*]

pedaling backwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssEeSq-vCl0

Mmmmmm sounds like a $2000 bike to me.

Well, this video is enough to diagnose a problem! The bolt/nut attaching the fender to the frame next to the gears is too long/thick. It is hitting your smallest gear!

A pro mechanic should not have this problem.

[Antaresia]

better video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILDvDP5tHtg

forward is fine, reverse is not. Not to mention the screwed shifting.

I honestly do have better things to do than take videos, but I'm so mad.

[Velocivixen]

I have nothing to add except to say that I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this sh*t. Seriously. Other than the problems do you like the bike? I'd say if you like the bike, but hate the service take it somewhere else once the original bike shop makes it RIGHT.

If you really don't like the bike, then I'd take it back and see if you could get a refund.

[hebe]

As a new rider I am horrified at the service that you've received. It is their job to make you a bike that you can get on and ride, they should fix/help as required without complaint until you are happy.

I would be writing to Soma, assuming that the shop is an authorised dealer for them. Experiences like yours will be tarnishing the brand image, and they ought to care about that even if the store doesn't. I would be asking the store manager what they can do to make me happy - be that a refund or fixing things personally. Or, if I didn't want to go near the store again I'd be asking the cool printer-fixing-dude that you know to recommend somewhere great, taking the bike there and asking them to sort it. It may well work out cheaper than the loss on a refund. But of course if you feel uncomfortable with the frame size then refund might be better. Again, the Soma HQ may be able to do something here if you let them know directly.

Good luck sorting this out, it must be heartbreaking and infuriating, but hang in there - you really deserve a bike that you love as much as your beautiful mixte.

[laura*]

better video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILDvDP5tHtg

forward is fine, reverse is not.

The cassette isn't freewheeling backwards freely. When you pedaled backwards, the cassette would stop turning, the "top" (lower in the video) run of the chain would get very slack, the derailleur cage would pivot thus feeding chain to the crank, and finally the increased derailleur tension was enough to turn the cassette briefly.

When pedaling forwards, the chain transmits enough force to overcome whatever drag there is on the cassette.

I still say that the rack mount hardware is dragging on the cassette.

A test: Roll the bike backwards. This will turn the cassette backwards with the full force of the rear wheel's turning. The chain should run backwards and the cranks should spin backwards. I suspect it will run "smoothly".

If you don't mind getting your hands greasy, reach in (the non-moving bike) and spin the rear gear cluster backwards. For comparison, do this on both your bikes. I suspect the new bike's gears will be much harder to turn.

[Antaresia]

If you don't mind getting your hands greasy, reach in (the non-moving bike) and spin the rear gear cluster backwards. For comparison, do this on both your bikes. I suspect the new bike's gears will be much harder to turn.

Ah, well I'm at work now and I had to ride my mixte today. I called the guy, he seems intent on making it right. I did call asking for a refund, but he says "the first step is for you to bring it in". I can't do that for a week though, so I get to have a 1 week vacation with this shitty bike situation looming over my head. Ugh. I sent him the video too, I'm a little worried I'll get "well, you must have done something to it" BS because I've already had experience with this guy where he tried to make something 'my fault' (being unable to ride the bike with the seat post set high as it was).

I'll post again in a week, see you guys then.

[goldfinch]

Ah, well I'm at work now and I had to ride my mixte today. I called the guy, he seems intent on making it right. I did call asking for a refund, but he says "the first step is for you to bring it in". I can't do that for a week though, so I get to have a 1 week vacation with this shitty bike situation looming over my head. Ugh. I sent him the video too, I'm a little worried I'll get "well, you must have done something to it" BS because I've already had experience with this guy where he tried to make something 'my fault' (being unable to ride the bike with the seat post set high as it was).

I'll post again in a week, see you guys then.

I wouldn't want to work with this guy. I would ask to work with the boss.

[Antaresia]

He isn't just the boss, he's the owner.
: /

He's probably pretty stressed, when I walked in that fist day he was on the phone saying "I'm out a business partner and a bike mechanic". I should have taken that as a warning, but hind sight is 20/20 as they say.

This whole thing is sooooo stupid

He did e-mail me back, and offered to pick up & drop of the bike. So he is taking this seriously. I can't do that, and I want to go to the bike shop and talk to him anyway.

[hebe]

I'm glad he's serious about fixing it . I hope that you enjoy your vacation, and that this owner can sort the bike out when you get back.

[Miranda]

Beautiful bikes! Thx for sharing.