New bike collection - checking it over

[SpokeyDokey]

Are you a fusser who checks everything thoroughly (as far as you reasonably can in a shop) before handing over your cash? Or are you a grab it and go person?

I'm the former and I'm asking as the shop where my new bike is coming from seemed taken aback when I said that when I go to collect it I'd need a bit of time to check the bike over for dings, scratches and to make sure the basic set-up is ok.

 

[vickster]

Somewhere in between, not that I've bought a new bike in a shop for a while

 

[SuperHans123]

Grab and hope

 

[Thorn Sherpa]

I bought my bike off eBay, too far to travel plus I was working on the 2 days before the bidding ended so took a gamble. Best thing I did the bike luckily was in perfect condition (baring the pedals which needed replacing but was stated in the description) and fits like a glove!

 

[Broadside]

I have a cursory glance in the shop and then check it thoroughly outside the shop, if there are any problems then you can pop straighh back in. Saves making a big deal of it in the shop

 

[Globalti]

Wow, I take a new bike home and set it up the way I want it, which means fitting Veloflex tyres with latex inners, setting up the bar height and angle, the brake lever position, headset bearing adjustment, saddle height, angle and position on the rails, the brake pad clearances and alignment, check all nuts and bolts, remove the pie dish, check the shifting, fit bottle cage and pedals, wrap vinyl tape around the seat post where the tool bag strap will fret, fit the Cateye speedo.... then go for a test ride.

The only bike I ever bought that didn't need any adjustment was one I bought from Ride On in Rawtenstall, assembled by Anthony. It was perfect and I haven't had to do anything to it in two years of use apart from fit new brake blocks.

 

[Katherine]

I don't think that checking for dings and scratches on a new bike is fussing ! Nor is checking that everything is in the right place and works.
Surely the shop would want those things too.

Have fun. Is today the day?

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I've only ever bought two new bikes in over 35 years, and in both cases I arrived at the shop on foot, did a quick check-over for any obvious damage, roughly adjusted the saddle and handlebar heights, jumped on and rode straight home. I really don't see any benefit in being a fusspot. The journey home is your shakedown, and anything needing to be tinkered with is going to show itself up pretty quickly. I'm not one of these people who is incapable of fixing anything mechanical, who will go running back to the LBS for every trivial little thing that needs doing. I don't expect absolute perfection out of the box, just that it be sufficiently well assembled to be safe and functional. Fine tuning is the owner's job, not the job of the LBS. Once I have a mechanical device in my possession, I regard it as my responsibility to keep it working properly, no-one else's.

 

[NorthernDave]

No, you're right - a new bike is a significant purchase and you're entitled to make sure it's 100% perfect when it's handed over.

When I collected my last bike I found a chip in the paint - the look on the assistants face when I rejected it...

 

[vickster]

My giant had a chip on purchase. It was the only one led t in that size in the country on a God price so I accepted it once they agreed to supply and fit mudguards (cruds, which are pretty hateful things but was all that would fit). I'm sure I chipped the paint again shortly thereafter anyhow

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I don't think that checking for dings and scratches on a new bike is fussing ! Nor is checking that everything is in the right place and works.
Surely the shop would want those things too.

Have fun. Is today the day?

No - got another 9 days to wait assuming it is on time.

 

[Slick]

I ordered a brand new 4x4 jeep for work a few years ago. I couldn't believe it when I went to pick it up all excited, until I noticed a couple of dings as if it had been driven on lose gravel. I finally told them to ram it when I checked some more and found a chip the size of a 2p coin on a rear door pillar. They got all miffed and upset and started quoting the legal contract which permitted them to present the vehicle with so many faults and they could fix the car later. They even sent out the big boss to persuade me who walked out like John Wayne, but soon scuttled back in to his office sharpish.

Point is, check everything in the shop. I've ordered a new bike and intend to video the in boxing to help prove the condition it arrives in.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Whilst I'd agree that significant cosmetic damage is unacceptable on either a new bike or a new car, some people are so obsessive about inspecting everything on their bikes in minute detail, I tend to think they actually have a form of OCD.....

 

[DCBassman]

New Bike Collection...had me thinking you'd bought a whole truckload! That's a lot of inspection.

 

[Slick]

Whilst I'd agree that significant cosmetic damage is unacceptable on either a new bike or a new car, some people are so obsessive about inspecting everything on their bikes in minute detail, I tend to think they actually have a form of OCD.....

If you saw the way my scaffold yard used to look like, your suspicions would be confirmed.