AlBaker
Regular
I bought an Electra cruiser a few months ago. Trek imports them so I expected a bit better quality than box store bikes. From day one the 7-speed derailleur has been a bit 'crunchy' when changing gears, and sometimes I hear a click as the chain seems to have a link not engage with a cog tooth. They said not to clean and lube the chain for 200 miles, so I didn't, thinking it might wear in. It didn't, and I have not been able to tune it to make gear changes quieter and smoother.
Today, with 340 miles on it I put a Park CC-2 chain checker on it. the reading was .5, okay, but several inches further along it read .80, totally shot. Going around the chain it continued with good and bad sections. I just happened to have a new Shimano chain on hand so I put that on, and the difference is incredible. It's smooth and quiet like it ought to be.
I had already dealt with wheel bearings that were so tight they were grinding. I haven't been able to notify Trek about these issues. I'm just disappointed that even bike shop quality bikes suffer from inferior parts and assembly. It got me wondering how a machine can make a chain with good and bad sections the whole length. Perhaps the machine was worn out.
Today, with 340 miles on it I put a Park CC-2 chain checker on it. the reading was .5, okay, but several inches further along it read .80, totally shot. Going around the chain it continued with good and bad sections. I just happened to have a new Shimano chain on hand so I put that on, and the difference is incredible. It's smooth and quiet like it ought to be.
I had already dealt with wheel bearings that were so tight they were grinding. I haven't been able to notify Trek about these issues. I'm just disappointed that even bike shop quality bikes suffer from inferior parts and assembly. It got me wondering how a machine can make a chain with good and bad sections the whole length. Perhaps the machine was worn out.
