Service nightmare....

[Drago]

Another illustration as to why bike servicing is a joke. I'm an adequate, not top flight, bike spannerman and I've only met one shop mechanic I'd rate higher than my distinctly average skills.

I'd have no qualms maintaining my own Ultegra gruppo. After all, I'm still riding the same STX gruppo I bought in 1996 and its still slick as the day I bought it.

 

[vickster]

That's fine if you have the confidence to do stuff with bikes (or indeed anything mechanical)...I don't hence I rely on shops (or just buy a new bike when a service is required )

 

[Drago]

And how does one gain the confidence? By trying, by doing, by reading.

If someone just plain prefers to use a shop then fair play, but excuses about lack of knowledge or ability are bunk.

 

[Simontm]

Have you phoned Evans, not email? Do you have reason to believe it wasn't new? Was it the one from the shop - i.e. probably had been used for a testride (maybe by yourself even?) Did it break the first time you rode it, or had you ridden it a few times on horrid SW London roads (although a decent bike should be able to handle a few potholes)

Talk to CAB, they may advise getting an independent report from the other mechanic who fixed it or something else. If you paid on credit card, you may have some recourse there on the 'fit for purpose' card. CAB can advise on what that means in reality

Don't like phones as unless I've connected my dictaphone as there's no record! It was the one on display that I test rode and I have commuted on it since. I expect this sort of thing after three years not three months <sigh>.

Needless to say, Evans Cycles will never get my cash again even if this is resolved.

 

[vickster]

And how does one gain the confidence? By trying, by doing, by reading.

If someone just plain prefers to use a shop then fair play, but excuses about lack of knowledge or ability are bunk.

Personally I have really no interest in learning about or doing anything mechanical ... and I find it way too frustrating to spend my time on!! I get seriously annoyed just fixing a puncture...I avoid DIY too...and don't get me started on issues with computers

 

[Drago]

Time is another nil argument. I could have a bike on the stand and stripped to its frame in the time it takes to even travel to my LBS.

 

[vickster]

Good for you

 

[Leodis]

I bought my first adult bike from Evans, it was cracking Cannondale 2012 Badboy R4... My dream urban machine. Evans had the size out of stock for ages, so I visited Evans in Leeds and whilst in asked about the bike and when it would be in stock, the guy said they had 2 in stock showing on their system, great, I popped a deposit down and brought my CS voucher in. I was so excited and nervous about my first bike ride home in over 20 years I didnt check the bike... School boy error.

1 - Rear hanger out of line so gearing never smooth but jumpy
2 - One dint in down tube above cage holder
3 - Chip out of paintwork on head tube

Called them and they didnt want to know, the line "Prove it was us" was used more than once by the store manager and customer service line. I got no where and had to service the bike at my expense every 2-3 months due to the gears needing indexing then after 1500 miles BB, chain and cassette needed replacing (though the chain and cassette may have been noobie mashing).

Evans are nobbers.

 

[vickster]

Not sure you can blame evans for the BB? Must be down to cannondale?

Evans good for clothes etc, wouldn't buy a bike from them though

My avail from cyclesurgery had a couple of paint chips, however I did notice before taking it away and they gave me free mudguards (fitted), which was fine as the bike was one of the last in that size in the country and at least £50 cheaper than anywhere else

I expect a lot of bikes have some level of chip even new wherever you buy from...and if not then, they do pretty quickly if you ever lock it up, lean it against anything or drop it!

 

[Simontm]

So tonight, 3 more spokes And Evans Cycles said that any work done because of another bike shop's work will be charged to me I give up

 

[Moodyman]

So tonight, 3 more spokes And Evans Cycles said that any work done because of another bike shop's work will be charged to me I give up

Or you could learn to do it yourself and never need to pay anyone again.

It's your bike, and nobody will have more concern over it's safety than you. So why put in the hands of someone else

 

[Simontm]

Or you could learn to do it yourself and never need to pay anyone again.

It's your bike, and nobody will have more concern over it's safety than you. So why put in the hands of someone else

Hey, it's more the fact that the bike is only 3 months old!

 

[palinurus]

I do my own work mostly now, but I used to run my commute bike into the ground and have it serviced at the LBS in the spring- they always did a good job on it (I'd clean it first though).

 

[Moodyman]

Hey, it's more the fact that the bike is only 3 months old!

I had a similar experience with Evans when I started cycling. The sheer frustration of them not owning the problem, led me to learning to do all my own maintenance and wheel building.

There is no finer joy than fixing my own bikes and knowing that they're as safe as could be.

 

[SWC]

It amazes me how bad new bikes are prepped! i've had 3 in over the last month all under 2 months old (one of which cost £2000) & all with head movement which i fixed by head strip, clean & regrease as problem was lack of grease....

One even had early signs of corrosion (luckily it was so slight i was able to fix it) on one of the bearings

Thats terrible! grease is cheap, even if you use quality grease as i do

No excuses just plain lazy. imagine if you bought a new car & after 2 months the bearings needed greasing