Some advice welcomed on dealing with a Cycle shop

[Monsieur Remings]

Okay, I' should be a very happy person given the fact that my new bike arrived on Tuesday, whoopee!

Wednesday night I went out for a ride and had gears slipping all over the shot and figured the gears needed indexing. I slipped so badly going up a hill I nearly came off the bike and what a shame if I had have come off, given the fact there was an HGV overtaking me at the time.

I had a go myself today at the gears and the bike still wasn't right so I took it to the LBS...bad news, the chain was showing up as worn! I phoned my sellers and told them what had happened and they spoke there and then to the mechanic. They've agreed in principle to pay for a new chain, but the news got worse - the mech hanger was also bent and I'd have to wait until the middle of next week for a new hanger. It's only becaiuse the LBS down here is a a Cannondale dealer that it was that simple. So, the upshot is I've been sent a brand new bike with a worn out chain and bent mech hanger. Tomorrow I have to explain that I want all of this paid for, including the labour.

But, I don't think that's good enough. I will have lost nearly a week of riding, nearly came off as a result of this shoddiness last night and had a lot of inconvenience so, what would you do, how would you approach it and more importantly what do you think would be reasonable recompense?

 

[brucers]

I assume by 'new' you mean new as in brand new unused as opposed to second hand but new to you. If brand new then I'd want to cancel the whole thing and get all my money back etc and buy elsewhere. A worn chain on a new bike is clearly dodgy (although mistakes can be made but this seems a mistake too far).

 

[snorri]

You paid for a new bike and received a bike with out of adjustment gears and a worn chain?
Polite approach to supplier in the first place, there could have been a genuine mistake, if not completely satisfied with response seek advice from Citizens Advice Bureau or a legal expert.
I would write off the lost week of riding and the near accident which could have been avoided as you were aware the gears were ooa but continued to use the bike.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I can't see how a 'new' bike could possibly have a worn chain. Bent hanger could be due to damage in transit but otherwise it sounds well fishy.

 

[biggs682]

not good news

 

[Monsieur Remings]

OKay, thanks for the replies. Sending it back seems quite extreme and will be a lot of hassle and at the moment it is in the LBS at Weston Super Mare, where it will be repaired, checked over and the bill sent to the people I bought from - due to whom I bought from, they are the other end of the country.

Does this sound like the right way to go instead, or should I send it back and complain direct to Cannondale about the state of the bike?

 

[Monsieur Remings]

I can't see how a 'new' bike could possibly have a worn chain. Bent hanger could be due to damage in transit but otherwise it sounds well fishy.

I don't understand either...they've obviously realised there was something wrong with the original chain, taken it off and replaced it with something crap. The mechanic at the LBS said it was a Shimano chain with a KMC link, now sure, they work together but I'd never have thought a brand new bike with a Shimano 105 set-up with chain would come standard with a KMC link, would you?

 

[Crankarm]

Why did you buy a bike that was at the other end of the country and not an LBS? Are you a tight wad and bought it on the internet for the cheapest price you could find?

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Why did you buy a bike that was at the other end of the country and not an LBS? Are you a tight wad and bought it on the internet for the cheapest price you could find?

It's the same price wherever I'd have bought it but this company offered finance which is the only way I could pay for it.

I'd wind your attitude in. Go and spread your crap elsewhere because you're obviously not here to offer any worthwhile or practical advice.

 

[Crankarm]

It's the same price wherever I'd have bought it but this company offered finance which is the only way I could pay for it.

I'd wind your attitude in. Go and spread your crap elsewhere because you're obviously not here to offer any worthwhile or practical advice.

I was going to offer you some advice but since you are so rude I don't think I will.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

And calling me a tight wad was obviously the best way to start, even before you knew the facts..?

 

[Havoc6]

I was going to offer you some advice but since you are so rude I don't think I will.

I'm sure he will be devastated

 

[Velo711]

Wow. I worked in a bike shop for a couple of years, never seen that. New bikes have new chains period.
Take it back, demand new chain, no charge, end of story.

 

[brucers]

Another thing you want to consider is if they have done anything else dodgy to the bike that is not immediately obvious and is not so readily rectified further down the line.

 

[asterix]

I don't know what the relationship of the supplier is with Cannondale, but it might be that Cannondale would not like their good name being trashed by their very poor service. I'd consider taking it up with head office.

Other than that I would be inclined to return it and go elsewhere. Friday afternoon products have a reputation for being trouble for a long time.

Crankarm born on Friday afternoon? No, perish the thought..