Good grief!

MPlb21

I've just taken delivery of my 2009 Specialized Myka Sport Disc from an online retailer. They told me that all I'd need to do is to attach the front wheel which I can just about manage.

However, the bike is in pieces. The frame, front forks, rear and front wheel, handlebars, pedals and various assorted bits and pieces are all separate.

Most of it I can cope with (despite not wanting to) but I'm worried about how to attach the front forks. They seem to just need to slide into the tube at the front of the frame but there are several rings on the fork tube (two ball-bearing ones and a couple of plastic rings). I can't find anywhere that tells me how to properly attach the forks or what tools I need.

I'm almost tempted to send it back but if it's a simple job I'll give it a go.

Anyone got any ideas how they fit onto the frame?

Thanks <sigh>

supersonic

This is a problem with buying mail order, to fit it into the box it comes in pieces. Add to that the poor generic manuals and lack of tools, and I think you are going to struggle.

You could try going to Park Tools website, and viewing each individual page on build and set up as required.

I'd contact the retailer about your dilemna. they may send you out tools and a decent book, or arrange for a local shop to set it up for you. See what they say.

cjw

Usually the bikes arrive with the front wheel off and pedals, handlebars detached. That doesn't sound right and (unless you're mechanically minded and don't want the hastle) would tell the retailer to come a pick it up and put it together! Who knows what else they have skipped on.

Which retailer?

PS.. to attach the forks your going to need some grease, but tools wise it's pretty simple, just allen keys. Unless you need to face the headtube, best left to the bike shop.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=115

irony

Heck, just put the thing together... best way of learning how your bike works.

Remember that your pedals must fit on the left and right hand cranks, they'll be marked with an L and and R to indicate the left and right hand threads.

Note that if you have to cut the steerer tube to follow the link provided earlier - you don't actually need specialist tools, just put a tape around the tube where you want to cut and gradually saw in circles around it for a perfectly straight cut.

dave_hill

irony wrote:

Heck, just put the thing together... best way of learning how your bike works.

Yes and no.

Unfortunately, the poster has been seriously misled by the retailer. As such it is up to the retailer to sort it out.

MPlb21, you need to get straight back on to the retailer and make it absolutely plain that you aren't happy and want them to rectify matters. If they won't budge, keep calm and inform them that they can shortly expect a call from Trading Standards.

If that doesn't shift them (and it is unlikely that it won't) - do it. Call Trading Standards and let them sort it.

In not supplying your bike in a state that you can easliy assemble yourself, the dealer has left themselves wide open to all sorts of legal action, not least of which is supplying goods not fit for purpose.

Suppose you DID put the bike together yourself, without the proper tools and knowledge. You go out for your first ride, come a cropper and end up with a broken back and paralysed. What then?

Whilst I agree with Irony to an extent that chucking yourself into it is often a good way to learn, if you don't have a basic knowledge of bike mechanics or the skills to do it, you really should put the whole thing straight back to the dealer.

stumpyjon

I'd get back onto the retailer. From what you've said it sounds like you will need to assemble the headset and it's entirely possible you'll end up with parts in the wrong order or more likely upside down if you're not careful. This will then lead to damage to the bearings. Attaching pedals, bars and front wheel is acceptable, anything more unless stated isn't really.

Torres

As Irony says, putting it together yourself is a great way of learning about your bike, and will help you fix things in future when the go wrong.
But... if it was meant to be ready to ride when it came then by all means ring up and express your displeasure.

What seems odd to me is that they didn't even send you any tools to put it together. When i ordered my last bike off Wiggle they sent me a full allen key set, and i only had to put on the pedals and bars.

cjw

irony wrote:

Heck, just put the thing together... best way of learning how your bike works.

Remember that your pedals must fit on the left and right hand cranks, they'll be marked with an L and and R to indicate the left and right hand threads.

Note that if you have to cut the steerer tube to follow the link provided earlier - you don't actually need specialist tools, just put a tape around the tube where you want to cut and gradually saw in circles around it for a perfectly straight cut.

I think that's far too much to expect someone to do to assemble a bike, almost a DIY custom job.

Pedals on, bars and front wheel is fine but anymore than that will have many people going to their LBS - especially installing headset and cutting down stearer tube.

irony

cjw wrote:

irony wrote:

I think that's far too much to expect someone to do to assemble a bike, almost a DIY custom job.

I doubt the steerer has to be cut, I assume the bike has just been disassembled for transport, i.e. it was originally in an assembled mode.

From the desription it certainly isn't DIY custom job. It requires a couple of allen keys and a 15 mm spanner, let's not get hysterical about things.

I agree that the retailer should make it clear what is required for assembly and should have supplied diagrammatic instructions on assembly (the cost to the retailer of supplying this would be minimal).

Any normal adult can put the thing together without having to go on a bike building course - the thing to be aware of is that the pedals have left and right hand threads and that the headset must be assembled in the correct order. A supplied diagram would have helped but failing that a quick google search for some photos.

It isn't rocket science, it doesn't require suing somebody, it doesn't require the seeking of expert instruction, its less complicated than putting together a flat pack ikea cupboard.

dave_hill

irony wrote:

It isn't rocket science, it doesn't require suing somebody, it doesn't require the seeking of expert instruction, its less complicated than putting together a flat pack ikea cupboard.

It might be simple to you, and it would be very simple to me, but the original poster is clearly fazed at the thoughts of having to pick up tools and do it themselves.

Not only that but the dealer clearly told them that the bike would require "minimal assembly". I don't call having to fit the forks, assemble and adjust the headset "minimal assembly", especially if you have no experience of doing it, no instructions and no tools.

If it makes you so angry, could I suggest that you take a running jump and stick to assembling Ikea furniture?

irony

dave_hill wrote:

If it makes you so angry, could I suggest that you take a running jump and stick to assembling Ikea furniture?

I suppose you are planning on suing me for saying that you are speaking out of your bottom.

supersonic

"Any normal adult can put the thing together without having to go on a bike building course - the thing to be aware of is that the pedals have left and right hand threads and that the headset must be assembled in the correct order. A supplied diagram would have helped but failing that a quick google search for some photos.

It isn't rocket science, it doesn't require suing somebody, it doesn't require the seeking of expert instruction, its less complicated than putting together a flat pack ikea cupboard."

You'd be suprised how many people think that - then I look at their bikes and usually find many problems.

Popeh

I think one key element stated here is the safety fact.

In comparison to an Ikea cupboard, you wouldn't be depending on it for your safety after it's built whereas on a bike if something hasn't been fitted correctly it could result in personal injury and to others.

I'm a newbie to bikes and gradually learning how to strip down the modern day bike and rebuild (for maintenance reasons), but I'd be a little cautious to of had to build one on the first day and I consider myself pretty confident with technical stuff.

It might be simple, it might not be. I'd go with the contact retailer option.

realnumber 1

Kick off with the shop and try get some decent freebies out of them (in the nicest possible way).
Then try to set it up your self because it's good to learn..... Once your happy with it take it to the lbs and get them to give it the once over if need be.

Chaka Ping

One option here might be to return the bike and request a full refund.

I'm assuming you paid full RRP, because it's a 2009 bike?

Then you could go and spend the cash at a local bike shop who will set the bike up right (including the suspension) and most likely let you pop back when little adjustments need to be made once you've started riding it.

And as far as learning how the bike works by putting it together, I'm not sure. I think you might learn more from talking to the staff in the shop and having them point at bits and explain them. That's what I find anyway.

I only buy from the net if the price is right. As mentioned above, the big benefit of buying from a bricks and mortar shop is the personal service and the aftercare.

irony

I appreciate that some people are more mechanically inclined than others, but I think if you buy from the net you should expect not only to have to do some simple assembly but having assembled the bike you would then have to do adjustments to get the brakes and gears working properly.

It would have been prudent of the supplier to have included clear instructions with diagrams on assembling the bike - however the key point is that it is expected that the buyer would do some assembly. The question in this case being whether assembling a headset is reasonable. Also of course the supplier should state what is required rather than the buyer discovering what is required when they receive the bike.

My opinion is that as a headset has about half a dozen largish parts (no small fiddly bits) and requires only a 5 mm allen key to assemble that it is not an unreasonable thing to have to assemble it.

Also in my opinion the whole ethos of mountain biking is that one can do all ones own fettling without resorting to taking the bike to the lbs. The alternative seems to me that we would go the dave_hill route and go suing every which way and be unable to buy bikes and parts on the internet without consulting a lawyer and signing numerous forms as to ones competency and qualifications on bike maintenance/building.

supersonic

I agree to some extent, and always encourage riders to get some tools and a book like zinn, and have a go at adjusting gears and move forward. But building a bike from scratch? Maybe too much for a complete novice. Very easy to get the parts of a headset the wrong way round, as is cable routing, and truing wheels not easy for a starter either.

cjw

irony wrote:

Also in my opinion the whole ethos of mountain biking is that one can do all ones own fettling without resorting to taking the bike to the lbs. .

I agree with that sentiment and the only things that really shouold need taking to the lbs (IMHO) are things that require speciaiised (and usually expensive) tools that one would only use every few years - such as headset press and facing 'cutters'. I probably wouldn't build my own wheels either - that appears more of a black art! Most other things can be done at home pretty simply.

However, the OP sounds like a novice and a retailer should not expect a novice to build up the headset.

smitty

this one sounds a bit of a bummer i know if id just shelled out on a new bike thinking that when it came id be able to ride it almost out of the box ,then when it turned up it just looked like a frame and a pile of parts id be pretty pissied off ,id be straight on the phone asking them what they were playing at .if i was you id try it on with them and see what theyll do for ya if ya get no joy tell them to come take the bike away ask for a refund then go spend your money some where else

stumpyjon

The alternative seems to me that we would go the dave_hill route and go suing every which way

Knowing Dave both on and off the forum that is most definitely not what he's advocating. I think there are many people out there who don't know one end of the bike from the other but still want to ride. The key to this issue is not how skilled potential riders should be (in an ideal world) but how the retailer described the item for sale in the first place, and in this case in appears the retailer was some what understating what was required. The fact it was an internet purchase is irrelevant, there's plenty of high street shops selling bikes in boxes too.

Assembling a headset requires some basic knowledge. It needs to be put together in the right order with parts the right way up (not always necessary especially if you've no knowledge of headsets and bearings). It's also easy to tighten the bolts on the stem and preload cap in the wrong order. It also takes a bit of feel to 'know' when the preload cap is at the right tightness.

There's a lot of people out there with no bike maintenance knowledge, some don't want to know (that's one reason there are LBSs) and some want to learn (look at all the posts on here about 'simple' jobs, simple to you and me maybe but not to someone who hasn't done it before).

dave_hill

I'm bored now, I'm going to go and count the knobs on my tyres and start collating a database thereof... :shock: