No confidence in shop-am I overreacting?

[nuliajuk]

...Today my pedal fell off because they neglected to install an integral part - the cotter pin that holds the pedal on...

Cotter pin? I'm confused. Crank arms used to be held on with cotter pins back in the 70s, but I've never, ever, seen a pedal held on that way.

[Dogmama]

Cotter pin? I'm confused. Crank arms used to be held on with cotter pins back in the 70s, but I've never, ever, seen a pedal held on that way.

I'm confused too. When I initially brought the bike in, that's what the guy told me. When I went back & asked pointedly about what happened, he danced around the cotter pin story. Talked about a compression something - I really don't know. I'm not a mechanic. It was obvious, though, that he was not being straightforward. I thought he was trying to avoid a potential lawsuit for negligence. Maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about. BTW, he is the "shop manager."

Regarding posting a review - as soon as I get my parts, Angie's list is getting an earful about this shop.

[OakLeaf]

That had me scratching my head too. Cerclip maybe? Not that I've ever seen one of those on the crank side of a pedal spindle either...

[ny biker]

I'm confused too. When I initially brought the bike in, that's what the guy told me. When I went back & asked pointedly about what happened, he danced around the cotter pin story. Talked about a compression something - I really don't know. I'm not a mechanic. It was obvious, though, that he was not being straightforward. I thought he was trying to avoid a potential lawsuit for negligence. Maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about. BTW, he is the "shop manager."

Regarding posting a review - as soon as I get my parts, Angie's list is getting an earful about this shop.

I think Trek needs to get an earful about this shop. If someone is injured due to their negligence, Trek will be named in the lawsuit, too.

[Dogmama]

Somebody mentioned the fact that carbon fiber needs to be torqued correctly to avoid cracks. I'm concerned that there is more going on with this bike. So, I am going to have it checked out from wheel to wheel by another shop. I'm going to ask them to note everything they find. Then, you're right NY Biker, I'm going to Trek.

BTW, I read some recent Google reviews about this shop & apparently I'm not the only person they've danced around.

[nuliajuk]

I'm confused too. When I initially brought the bike in, that's what the guy told me. When I went back & asked pointedly about what happened, he danced around the cotter pin story... thought he was trying to avoid a potential lawsuit for negligence. Maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about. BTW, he is the "shop manager."...

I suspect he doesn't know what he's talking about if he called it a "cotter pin".
This is what a cycling related cotter pin was (I'm old enough to remember tapping them out with a mallet to take my crankset off):
http://sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html
Don't get any more work done at this shop. Period. And by all means let Trek know about it.

[Dogmama]

Going on their website, I kept seeing that email was requested as means to contact. Thought it would be a good idea since I would have record of contact. I sent them the chronology of the bike since I picked it up. Now thinking that I should call them also. I've had things just disappear into cyberspace too many times.

[Becky]

Cotter pin? I'm confused. Crank arms used to be held on with cotter pins back in the 70s, but I've never, ever, seen a pedal held on that way.

I was wondering about this too. The best that I can figure is that the shop installed the plastic threaded cap that seats the non-drive crank arm on the spindle, but didn't tighten the pinch bolts that actually hold the crank arm to the spindle splines. I'm making the giant assumption that this is a Shimano external BB crankset or similar design, and not something else.

[Dogmama]

I was wondering about this too. The best that I can figure is that the shop installed the plastic threaded cap that seats the non-drive crank arm on the spindle, but didn't tighten the pinch bolts that actually hold the crank arm to the spindle splines. I'm making the giant assumption that this is a Shimano external BB crankset or similar design, and not something else.

This sounds like what I have.

More gripes - I doubt that the "thorough inspection" was performed. My quick release skewers are in exactly the same position as when I took the bike in.

I'm wishing that my sport was running.

[ridebikeme]

Dogmama,

Rim tape generally does cover the entire rim, although I have seen some companies that are a bit too short. That generally does not cause problems unless there's a hole from a spoke that is uncovered or a rough spot on the rim.( tht doesn't happen all that often) But generally, the rim tape does cover the entire rim.

Good luck with everything, definitely keep us posted!

[ridebikeme]

I definitiely agree with others, that you should ALWAYS shop for your mechanic/sales person vs the shop. I will also say that I feel horrible that you are having these issues as well!!

As a shop owner and someone who has been in the bike industry for 20 years, I've seen a lot of things happen over the years as I'm sure many of you have. Some for the better, some not... but I keep reminding myself that every industry has these same issues. With that, I hope that most people( including shop owners) pay attention and take care of their customers.

I did however want to make a couple of comments about your problem(s). I would defintiely recommend that you contact Trek directly and immediately! I can only imagine that a company such as theirs doesn't want people unhappy with their product and would want to find out from the shop exactly what happened and why. So please do that. They can also recommend another shop for you to take the bike to. If Trek should have any questions, then the second shop would likely be the one that would be contacted. And if parts should need to be replaced, then they could be sent to this shop as well.

AS for your crank coming loose and the rim tape, there are two scenerios in this case. First, most bikes are assembled from the manufacturer, and although shops finish the assembling process... there were actually two different phases to your build... namely Trek and your shop. Both of course, should have noticed the problem.

And lastly, for those of you that have had issues with cranks coming loose, I want to send something else for you to consider. If a crank has come loose a couple of times, or has been coming loose for a period of time, it can also cause issues with the bottom bracket. What I mean by that is that as the crank is loose, it can move back and forth on the axle of the bottom bracket. Even if the wear appears very small on the axle, it can cause HUGE problems. What that essentially means is that no matter how tight someone tightens the crank, it will always come loose! The tolerance of fit with the crank and bottom bracket axle are very minimal. So, for those of you that have mentioned that your shop would 'show' you how to tighten this periodically... well it can likely mean that you have the above problem. PLEASE have another shop/mechanic check this for you immediately!!! When your crank is allowed to move on the bottom bracket axle, it not only wears the axle but it also wears the crank... a new bottom bracket alone will NOT solve the problem.

AS for torquing, everything on a bike whether carbon or aluminum should be torqued and to the right specifications for that piece/brand... stems, cranks all have different specs for that. So another a great reason to have another shop check it... ask them also to write down anything that they should find out of sorts... this will be more information for TRek.

Lastly, I know I and others have said this, PLEASE have another shop check this bike immediately for your safety and piece of mind. Good luck with everything!!!

[Dogmama]

WOW and THANK YOU for all of that great information!! I'm printing out your post so I can have it with my files.

I will contact Trek and ask them for a shop recommendation. I was going to take the bike to Phoenix (120 miles away) because that is the closest Trek custom design shop. But if I can stay in Tucson, that is good too.

Just one questions - so you are saying that rim tape that is not abutted is NOT a good thing? I ask because Tucson is heating up, so tire pressures will go up and I'm not keen on changing a flat in 100 degree temps.

Thanks again. I wish your shop wasn't across the US, I'd bring my bike to you! (Although, Maine is nice this time of year...)

[OakLeaf]

There's no way to know whether a fastener has been overtorqued (unless there's visible damage). So have your wrench check the carbon as well as the fasteners.

[Dogmama]

There's no way to know whether a fastener has been overtorqued (unless there's visible damage). So have your wrench check the carbon as well as the fasteners.

How do they check the carbon?

[OakLeaf]

How do they check the carbon?

This isn't something I know much about, but if it was my frame I'd want it inspected the same as they might after a crash, except focused on the clamped and bolted areas. Careful visual inspection plus I think they might tap it to check for changes in the sound.