Buyers Remorse

[Hip Priest]

I've been road cycling for over 2 years now, using a cheap Carrera Virtuoso that I got for £240 on Ebay. Last week I decided to use a credit card to purchase a good bike, and then pay it off over the next year.

I'd dreamed about it for ages. How I'd love it, own it for years and keep it in perfect condition. I went to my LBS and spent £1149 on an Orbea Aqua T105. More than I'd hoped to spend, but I thought I'd save on upgrades in years to come.

The first few rides were ok, and then once I'd sorted my position out, it started to feel really good. Last night I took it out and had the rear tube explode on me. I changed it at the roadside, but when I checked it at home it turned out that the 'rim tape' was just shoddy duct tape, and the nipple holes were exposed, causing the puncture.

I took it back to the LBS for it's 100 mile tweak (chain stretch...etc) and asked them to look at the rim tape. Kindly, they changed it free of charge to some proper rim tape and I got the bike back today.

I got all dressed up to take it for a ride, then I realised the rear tube would not inflate past 60psi without my pump head coming off, so I had to change the tube. Bit of a pain, but easily fixed.

But now I find, since the new rim tape has been fitted, that the tyres are near impossible to get off. After much hard graft, and nearly snapping my tyre levers, I managed to get the tyre off.

Put the new tube in, then found the tyre was equally difficult to get on, so much so that I managed to puncture two new tubes trying to get them back on.

As for keeping the bike in perfect condition, the rims are already chipped in various places due to having to put pressure on the tyre levers to remove the tyre.

Added to this, the rear wheel doesn't seem to seat straight in the drop-outs.

I've now given up and returned to the house. All dressed up and nowhere to go. How I dearly wish I'd just kept riding my cheap old bike and hadn't been tempted by shiny promises.

My family don't have a lot of money, and I've spent nearly £1500 on the bike, insurance, and special locks for the bike & garage (a condition of the insurance), and I can't even go out and ride it.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm feeling very down right now. What can I do?

 

[oldfatfool]

Either buy, or get the shop, to change the rim tape for some narrower. Can't explain why the wheel shouldn't be sitting in the drop outs square if it was ok prior to your problem unless the wheel as been knocked out of true by your liberal use of tyre levers??

Finally throw away your tyre levers and learn to change a tyre by hand, quicker and safer.

 

[screenman]

"What can I do?" Learn to remove and refit tyres properly and quickly, is it only me that never has a problem in that department. Valve bit last always.

As for your family not having much money, well why did you spend money you do not have?

 

[Hip Priest]

"What can I do?" Learn to remove and refit tyres properly and quickly, is it only me that never has a problem in that department. Valve bit last always.

I've been removing and refitting tyres for years without issue, including last night when I changed it at the roadside. And I don't normally use tyre levers.

As for your family not having much money, well why did you spend money you do not have?

Because I'm on top of my finances, and I can afford the repayments over a 12 month period. However, £1200 is a lot of money to spend on a bike, and at present it is an outlay I am regretting. If I'd paid in cash, I'd still be regretting it.

 

[Hip Priest]

Either buy, or get the shop, to change the rim tape for some narrower. Can't explain why the wheel shouldn't be sitting in the drop outs square if it was ok prior to your problem unless the wheel as been knocked out of true by your liberal use of tyre levers??

I first noticed the wheel wasn't sitting straight in the drop-outs last night, after I refitted it at the roadside. I didn't use tyre levers on that occasion, and it was the first time I'd had the wheel off. Another possibility could be that the blow-out sent the wheel out of true. I don't know.

 

[screenman]

Sorry but your OP reads like somebody who is not an expert, which you now inform us you are.

If the blow out sent the tyre out of true then it would only be on a small part of the rim and not effect the way the wheel squared up.

I am glad you think are on top of your finances, well I have news for you but you are not. You owe £1200 at one of the worst interest rates out there.

 

[Hip Priest]

Sorry but your OP reads like somebody who is not an expert, which you now inform us you are.

I'm no expert. But nor am I a total novice.

I am glad you think are on top of your finances, well I have news for you but you are not. You owe £1200 at one of the worst interest rates out there.

0% interest for 12 months, but thank you for your concern. You seem a real nice fella, kicking a man while he's down.

 

[oldfatfool]

I am glad you think are on top of your finances, well I have news for you but you are not. You owe £1200 at one of the worst interest rates out there.

Bit harsh, the OP *could* have transferred onto a 0% interest for balance transfers CC jobbie and not be paying the 17.9%+ you believe.

 

[Globalti]

It's your own fault, you've failed to heed the advice I've given on here in numerous threads about difficult tyres. The best dry natural lubricant for rubber know to Man is:

 

[Hip Priest]

I always genuinely appreciate the advice I've been given on here, but I regret posting this thread. I guess I let emotion get the better of me. The tone of at least one of the replies has been pretty hurtful, so I'll be taking my leave of this 'fun and friendly online cycling community'.

 

[oldfatfool]

 

[Tim Hall]

Although I haven't seen the bike, I'd doubt whether the original rim tape was duct tape. It may have been plastic rim tape.
What tape is fitted now? The One True Rim Tape, Velox, is cloth and generally thick than plastic tape. This will make fitting the tyre harder.

I can't see how having a blow out would send the wheel out of true.

For really tricky tyre and rim combinations, I use a VAR tyre lever to help get the last bit on.

What rims are they?

 

[Sara_H]

I always genuinely appreciate the advice I've been given on here, but I regret posting this thread. I guess I let emotion get the better of me. The tone of at least one of the replies has been pretty hurtful, so I'll be taking my leave of this 'fun and friendly online cycling community'.

Don't go, don't let the grumpies get to you!

It's very disapointing when you get a shiny new bike and something happens to cast a shadow over your joy. These are minor hiccups and will be sorted and you will grow to love your new bike in time.

Can't help with the technical difficulties, tyre fitting is mens work round here - I had to do one myself about 18 months ago and it made me cry, but OH just left it in the dining room until I'd done it. Tough love!

 

[Pale Rider]

I was thinking the same, 26 minutes from OP to flounce.

Might be a record.

 

[screenman]

Harsh yes I know I am, I do not pussy foot about when it comes to family finances the man comes very last in my old fashioned opinion.

Sell it for the most you can and clear the debt, that is my advice others may be softer on you.