Giant falling to bits in a year

[swee'pea99]

I was shocked! Just got back from popping round to lend/fit a saddle to my mate's Giant, his having broken today, and I said I thought the bike was pretty new. He said yes, a year plus a few weeks.

I said I thought that was pretty shoddy, and if it was me I'd be grumbling pretty vocally to the LBS man. Which is when he told me that just in the last fortnight or so, just past the year, he's had to replace the pedals, which basically fell apart, and when he was in there the guy checked his transmission and told him he needed a new chain and cassette. And I checked, and he's right.

So, in addition to the spoke that broke within a few months of purchase, this bike has needed a new chain, cassette, saddle and pedals. And while my mate is no lightweight, neither is he a particular porker, nor does he ride his bike hard, or for that long (basically leisure and the occasional no-great-distance commute).

I think that's shocking. Isn't it?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yep - shocking. Often times tho' "budget" bikes have really cheap components fitted. You gets what you pays for to some extent at least.

 

[fossyant]

Lack of maintenance is usually the key. My mate ruined a grands worth of Kona MTB in one winter. I kept telling him to sort it, but the mechs rusted solid. How you wreck a front mech I don't know. Got 3 mechs on 3 of my bikes that are originals and over 20 years old.

 

[ianrauk]

Much lighter components these days too. In our youth we were riding 5 gear bikes with chains the thickness of a motorbikes. That's the price you pay for progress, lighter less hard-wearing components and lack of regular maintenance.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Lack of maintenance is usually the key. My mate ruined a grands worth of Kona MTB in one winter. I kept telling him to sort it, but the mechs rusted solid. How you wreck a front mech I don't know. Got 3 mechs on 3 of my bikes that are originals and over 20 years old.

They don't make them like they used to

 

[MarkF]

Dawes Discovery 501, it's crossed France, Spain, done the C2C, the weekly shopping (since 2007) and is used for fun most weeks. It's done 7000 miles and the only things changed have been brake pads and M+'s fitted at 2k.

 

[Brandane]

Specialized Tricross 4 years 11k miles. It has had about 4 chains and cassettes, and a recent middle ring. A new rear hub under warranty after just a few months; rusty head bearings after 2 years, plus a few tyres and brake pads, cables etc. and that's about it. It does tend to get a lot of TLC though, and some of those replacement chains and cassettes weren't strictly necessary.

 

[KneesUp]

I was shocked! Just got back from popping round to lend/fit a saddle to my mate's Giant, his having broken today, and I said I thought the bike was pretty new. He said yes, a year plus a few weeks.

I said I thought that was pretty shoddy, and if it was me I'd be grumbling pretty vocally to the LBS man. Which is when he told me that just in the last fortnight or so, just past the year, he's had to replace the pedals, which basically fell apart, and when he was in there the guy checked his transmission and told him he needed a new chain and cassette. And I checked, and he's right.

So, in addition to the spoke that broke within a few months of purchase, this bike has needed a new chain, cassette, saddle and pedals. And while my mate is no lightweight, neither is he a particular porker, nor does he ride his bike hard, or for that long (basically leisure and the occasional no-great-distance commute).

I think that's shocking. Isn't it?

How many miles has he ridden it, though? My OH has an almost totally original 1989 mountain bike (I suspect the front tyre is original even) but it's barely turned a wheel.

 

[swee'pea99]

How many miles has he ridden it, though? My OH has an almost totally original 1989 mountain bike (I suspect the front tyre is original even) but it's barely turned a wheel.

Well, like I say, not that many. He's more of an occasional cyclist than a daily distance man. I mean, every week for sure, but maybe two or three rides, all under 10 miles, on average. And "Often times tho' "budget" bikes have really cheap components fitted. You gets what you pays for to some extent at least." That's the whole point. If this was an Argos BSO, I'd expect it, but it isn't. I don't know which Giant it is, but it's probably £600 worth, give or take, and it's just falling to bits. One failed component would be 'just one of those things', but I'm genuinely shocked by the deterioration in what I'd consider 'a new bike'.

 

[Accy cyclist]

30 odd thousand miles using these components http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/gsd/r...?part=GSSHIMSORA35009T&sub=conf_GS_SHR&bike=1 and still working. Two new links in the chain,apart from that nothing else.

 

[Keith Oates]

Giant do make and sell some low priced bikes but if they are not maintained regularly then troubles can be expected !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Globalti]

It's not the fault of the bike maker! They make the frame (or get it made) then buy the components and assemble it all. The discussion should be aimed at the maker of the components (most likely Shimano) or the lack of maintenance by the rider.

The title thread is misleading because the bike didn't fall to bits; it should say: "bike components worn out after a year".

 

[postman]

I have had my Spesh Sectuer Elite 105,for four years now.And what has gone.At least two teeth,more of my hair,had to rest a swollen knee,gall bladder came out.Oh and thanks to cake the waist has grown a little,bloody new bikes.

 

[fossyant]

My missus has a 5 year old Pinnacle hybrid that was £500. Has Acera level kit on it. Works perfect and looks new and has probably been used as much as the OP's friend's bike. The difference is maintenance !!!

 

[KEEF]

here is mine never had a spanner on it