Things that go wrong with my bike... (CDWP = 60)
Jamey
Posts: 2,152
*** Note: I have now achieved my target of fifty consecutive ride days without problems but I'm keeping the log going anyway, because I've grown to like it 
***
Every single day I'm going to post here with details of what's gone wrong with my bike on that particular day, plus I'll edit this opening post to keep everything logged in one place. If nothing goes wrong then I'll record that too and keep a tally of consecutive days without problems (CDWP). The tally will be reset every time there's a problem (normal service stuff like new chains and cassettes won't count as problems). If this tally ever reaches 50 then I'll stop updating this thread as that's my goal - fifty consecutive days without problems.
I'm sure I don't need to say what has prompted me to begin this log. Most of you have suffered the endless posts from me asking for advice and help here on Bikeradar. I thought about making this a proper blog but doing it as a thread on here seemed a better idea to me.
At the time I'm creating this thread (11:20pm on the 13th October, 2008) I have had my Specialized Tricross Sport 2008 for about four weeks. I'm going to begin the log from the day I picked up the bike, to document everything from day one right through to the day I manage fifty on my CDWP tally.
This thread is not really meant to be for specific discussion of any one problem, more of a general overview of my bike woes and a chance for me to keep an organised calendar.
Key:
Purple = neither good nor bad
Green = good day (ie without problems)
Red = bad day (problems)
--- Start of Log ---
September 2008
Fri 12 Sep 2008: Picked up Specialized Tricross 2008 (61cm frame size) from Evans. Bike fitted with rack (Tortec Expedition), Mudguards (SKS Chromoplastic in black) and Panniers (Ortlieb Bike Packer Classic).
Sat 13 Sep 2008: Went for quick spin. CDWP tally = 1
Sun 14 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 15 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Tue 16 Sep 2008: Noticed seat post is slipping in frame quite a bit, causing a lot of backache when combined with my gammy arms. Ordered Tacx compound. CDWP tally reset.
Wed 17 Sep 2008: Unable to ride due to backache.
Thu 18 Sep 2008: Did not ride to work.
Fri 19 Sep 2008: Did not ride to work.
Sat 20 Sep 2008: Applied Tacx compound, problem solved. Went for short ride, no problems. CDWP tally = 1
Sun 21 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 22 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Tue 23 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Wed 24 Sep 2008: Noticed rear wheel massively out of true on journey home. CDWP tally reset.
Thu 25 Sep 2008: Could not ride, dropped wheel off at Evans for truing.
Fri 26 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Sat 27 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
Sun 28 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 29 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Tue 30 Sep 2008: A spoke broke on the rear wheel while riding to work. CDWP tally reset.
Wed 01 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Thu 02 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Fri 03 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 3
Sat 04 Oct 2008: Did not ride. Went on maintenance course to learn to look after my bike.
Sun 05 Oct 2008: Did not ride. Went on maintenance course to learn to look after my bike.
---
October 2008
Mon 06 Oct 2008: Crank arms keep undoing themselves. Have to keep stopping to tighten with multitool. Had to leave bike at work in order to get wrench to properly tighten. CDWP tally reset.
Tue 07 Oct 2008: One of the bolts securing the rack fell out on the way home from work. CDWP tally reset.
Wed 08 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Thu 09 Oct 2008: Start to hear creaking noise. CDWP tally reset.
Fri 10 Oct 2008: Creaking noise gets worse, then becomes knocking type sound. CDWP tally reset.
Sat 11 Oct 2008: Go out, buy lots of tools and new bottom bracket, fit it, noise seems to stop. Did not actually have time to go for a ride though.
Sun 12 Oct 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 13 Oct 2008: Two spokes broke on the way home from work. Also a ticking noise can be heard from new BB area.
Tue 14 Oct 2008: Dropped rear wheel off at Evans. Manager said they'd send it back to Specialized to be rebuilt. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Wed 15 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. Beginning to wonder why I didn't just ask for a replacement wheel while they fanny about. Silly me.
Thu 16 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. New, hand-built wheel ordered.
Fri 17 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Sat 18 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Sun 19 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
---
Mon 20 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Tue 21 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. New (hand built) wheel arrives tomorrow but tyre, tube and cassette were left on the old wheel when it was sent back to Specialized so still unable to ride until it comes back.
Wed 22 Oct 2008: Evans called. The wheel should return tomorrow. They asked if I wanted to "take the opportunity to upgrade the rim." I politely declined. Ordered some expensive Pedros tools for changing cassettes because there's nothing like a nice spot of retail therapy.
Thu 23 Oct 2008: Called Evans to double check wheel had arrived back from rebuilding and the manager said yes, so I'm planning to pick it up on the way home tonight, ride to work on it tomorrow and then change everything over onto the new wheel at the weekend.
Fri 24 Oct 2008: Successful journey both ways using the old wheel, although that ticking sound can still be heard from the BB. Will be working on the bike tomorrow so will see if it needs tightening then. Gonna swap to the new wheel this weekend so let's hope the cross-four pattern doesn't break straight away. Or maybe I should hope that it does so I can just send it back and get it cross-three'd. Dunno.
Sat 25 Oct 2008: Worked on the bike most of today and it's potentially running the best it ever has, as long as the rear wheel behaves. Was meant to be changing over to the new wheel but have decided to send it back after all the advice from you guys. Ticking sound has gone away for now, I think it was the cranks. When I checked them they were tight, but not super-tight. So I super-tightened them (60Nm) CDWP tally = 1.
Sun 12 Oct 2008: Did not ride. Although I did help the chap from the downstairs flat inflate his rear tyre (he didn't have a pump). Oddly enough my track pump wouldn't even grip onto his valve but my mini pump worked fine. Hope this doesn't mean my track pump's broken or I'll have to reset its CDWP tally
---
Mon 27 Oct 2008: Someone's nicked my rear light, on the first day after the clocks went back. Bloody typical. Anyway the bike itself was fine, at least. CDWP = 2
Tue 28 Oct 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 3
Wed 29 Oct 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 4
Thu 30 Oct 2008: Both journeys fine. The bike has served me well today, especially on the journey in which was very disjointed due to having to go via the hospital for a check-up on my arms. Could this be my first full week of green since getting the bike (I laugh in the face of tempting fate)? CDWP = 5
Fri 31 Oct 2008: Yes! First entire week without problems since I got the Tricross. CDWP = 6
Sat 01 Nov 2008: Did not ride.
Sun 02 Nov 2008: Did not ride.
---
November 2008
Mon 03 Nov 2008: Did not ride.
Tue 04 Nov 2008: Did not ride, but Rob taught me how to build a wheel, which was ace.
Wed 05 Nov 2008: First ride on the new rear wheel, built with my own fair hands, and it's all good. CDWP = 7.
Thu 06 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Fri 07 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sat 08 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sun 09 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
---
Mon 10 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Tue 11 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Wed 12 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Thu 13 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Fri 14 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sat 15 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sun 16 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
---
Mon 17 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Tue 18 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Wed 19 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Thu 20 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Fri 21 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sat 22 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sun 23 Nov 2008: Flying home from Argentina.
---
Mon 24 Nov 2008: Recovering from Brazil/Argentina.
Tue 25 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Wed 26 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Thu 27 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Fri 28 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Sat 29 Nov 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 30 Nov 2008: Having not used the bike for a few weeks and planning to cycle to work tomorrow morning I decided to give it a check-over. The brakes seemed to be rubbing but it wasn't until after about ten minutes of tinkering I realised that the wheel was out of true. One of the spokes on the wheel I built with Rob just before going on holiday had worked itself completely loose despite us doing a bang-up job of building and tensioning it properly. Swapped to the other wheel for now as I don't have a spoke key at the moment. CDWP tally reset.
---
December 2008
Mon 01 Dec 2008: After changing the wheel yesterday both journeys went fine. CDWP = 1
Tue 02 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 2
Wed 03 Dec 2008: Journey in fine, didn't cycle home due to Xmas drinks after work. CDWP = 3
Thu 04 Dec 2008: No cycling due to more post-work Xmas drinks.
Fri 05 Dec 2008: Journey home fine. CDWP = 4
Sat 06 Dec 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Sun 07 Dec 2008: Did not cycle to work.
---
Mon 08 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 5
Tue 09 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 6
Wed 10 Dec 2008: Did not cycle (work xmas party tonight).
Thu 11 Dec 2008: Strategic day off work.
Fri 12 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sat 13 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 14 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
---
Mon 15 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 7
Tue 16 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 8
Wed 17 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 9
Thu 18 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 10
Fri 19 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 11
Sat 20 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 21 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
---
Mon 22 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 12
Tue 23 Dec 2008: Did not cycle (dinner with the missus after work).
Wed 24 Dec 2008: Off work, did not cycle.
Thu 25 Dec 2008: Xmas day, yay. Did not cycle but cycling-related presents included a spoke tension meter (Park one) and wheel truing stand (not Park one, cheap one)..
Fri 26 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sat 27 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 28 Dec 2008: Did not cycle but spent the day fettling. Wheels now as true as is humanly possible although there's a chance I might have overtensioned the rear one a bit as I did it up to 120 Kg of force (1200 Newtons).
---
Mon 29 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine, but bloody cold. CDWP = 13
Tue 30 Dec 2008: Did not cycle, I draw the line at minus five degrees, especially when my back's hurting. Drove to work instead.
Wed 31 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine, happy new year everyone, I'm really pleased to be finishing 2008 with a working bike and the CDWP in double figures. I've learnt a lot about bike maintenance this year, partly thanks to this forum, partly thanks to shelling out for a course and partly due to Rob Barker, who taught me to build a wheel. Thankls Rob and everyone. CDWP = 14
Thu 01 Jan 2009: Did not cycle, day off. Finally ordered a base layer in (what I hope is) my size.
Fri 02 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 15
---
January 2009
Mon 05 Jan 2009: Did not ride (due to snow) but wished I had (due to the incompetence of station staff at Clapham Junction).
Tue 06 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 16
Wed 07 Jan 2009: Wimped out due to having a cold... Sorry, I mean a man cold.
Thu 08 Jan 2009: As above.
Fri 09 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 17
Sat 10 Jan 2009: Did not ride..
Sun 11 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
---
Mon 12 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine, although I noticed a squeaking/creaking/scraping sound on the way home. Let's just hope it was the wet roads and it's gone again in the morning. CDWP = 18
Tue 13 Jan 2009: Noise seems to have gone away again. Phew. Both journeys fine. CDWP = 19
Wed 14 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 20
Thu 15 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 21
Fri 16 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. Feel really good to have done all five days this week. CDWP = 22
Sat 17 Jan 2009: Did not ride..
Sun 18 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
---
Mon 19 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine and I even managed a swim after work. CDWP = 23
Tue 20 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 24
Wed 21 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 25
Thu 22 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
Fri 23 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 26
Sat 24 Jan 2009: Rode 25 miles, which is the longest single ride I've managed since breaking the arms. CDWP = 27
Sun 25 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
---
Mon 26 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 28
Tue 27 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 29
Wed 28 Jan 2009: Rear mech won't index properly but bike is rideable. Just annoying as every time you need to shift you have to change two gears and then back one. CDWP tally will not be reset but will be held at 29 until problem is fixed.
Thu 29 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine apart from mech issue. CDWP held.
Fri 30 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine apart from mech issue. CDWP held.
Sat 31 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 01 Feb 2009: Did not ride but fixed rear mech with a new cable. CDWP tally will be updated with the days when it was held since this turned out to be a minor problem I was able to fix myself.
---
February 2009
Mon 02 Feb 2009: Unable to get to work due to heavy snow.
Tue 03 Feb 2009: Unable to get to work due to heavy snow.
Wed 04 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine, bike is running like a dream at the moment since sorting the gear problem. Extended journey home by a few miles to celebrate and because I felt guilty for not cycling the past two days. CDWP = 33
Thu 05 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 34
Fri 06 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Bought some Assos bib tights. Still reeling from the cost. CDWP = 35
Sat 07 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 08 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
---
Mon 09 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 36
Tue 10 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 37
Wed 11 Feb 2009: Off work.
Thu 12 Feb 2009: Off work.
Fri 13 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to make it 28.6 miles with a postal tube of Valentine's wrapping paper sticking out my pannier. CDWP = 38
Sat 14 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 15 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
---
Mon 16 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 18 miles. CDWP = 39
Tue 17 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 40
Wed 18 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 41
Thu 19 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 42
Fri 20 Feb 2009: Rode home thinking my headset needed replacing but it turned out to be cables. Phew. Both journeys fine. CDWP = 43
Sat 21 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 22 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 147
---
Mon 23 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 21 miles. CDWP = 44
Tue 24 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 29 miles. CDWP = 45
Wed 25 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine apart from a slight altercation with a motorbike. CDWP = 46
Thu 26 Feb 2009: That ticking sound is back but bike is perfectly rideable. It's not cables this time, think it might be a little play in the front hub bearing but will investigate at the weekend. CDWP = 47
Fri 27 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 48
Sat 28 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 01 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 162
---
March 2009
Mon 02 Mar 2009: Did not ride (my birthday, off work).
Tue 03 Mar 2009: Did not ride (off work).
Wed 04 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 29 miles. CDWP = 49
Thu 05 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 50!!! A momentous occasion.
Fri 06 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 51
Sat 07 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 08 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 99
---
Mon 09 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 31 miles. CDWP = 52
Tue 10 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 53
Wed 11 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 54
Thu 12 Mar 2009: Did not ride - saddle sore
Fri 13 Mar 2009: Did not ride (going out after work).
Sat 14 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 15 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 101
---
Mon 16 Mar 2009: Does a broken bottle cage count as a CDWP reset? ...Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 36 miles. CDWP = 55
Tue 17 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 56
Wed 18 Mar 2009: Did not ride (physio appointment).
Thu 19 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 57
Fri 20 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 58
Sat 21 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 22 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 134
---
Mon 23 Mar 2009:Both journeys fine. CDWP = 59
Tue 24 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 60
Wed 25 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 61
Thu 26 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 62
Fri 27 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sat 28 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 29 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 112
---
Mon 30 Mar 2009:Both journeys fine. CDWP = 63
Tue 31 Mar 2009: Puncture on way in. Spent ages in Bishops Park trying to find the offending object inside the tyre but no joy. Looking forward to hisses on the journey home but not fair to reset CDWP tally. CDWP = 64
Wed 01 Apr 2009:Both journeys fine. CDWP = 65
Thu 02 Apr 2009: Did not ride (finally had MRI scan on elbows).
--- End of log ---
As I said, I'm going to update this every day and collate all of the updates here in this opening post as well. Fingers crossed for the fifty.
***Every single day I'm going to post here with details of what's gone wrong with my bike on that particular day, plus I'll edit this opening post to keep everything logged in one place. If nothing goes wrong then I'll record that too and keep a tally of consecutive days without problems (CDWP). The tally will be reset every time there's a problem (normal service stuff like new chains and cassettes won't count as problems). If this tally ever reaches 50 then I'll stop updating this thread as that's my goal - fifty consecutive days without problems.
I'm sure I don't need to say what has prompted me to begin this log. Most of you have suffered the endless posts from me asking for advice and help here on Bikeradar. I thought about making this a proper blog but doing it as a thread on here seemed a better idea to me.
At the time I'm creating this thread (11:20pm on the 13th October, 2008) I have had my Specialized Tricross Sport 2008 for about four weeks. I'm going to begin the log from the day I picked up the bike, to document everything from day one right through to the day I manage fifty on my CDWP tally.
This thread is not really meant to be for specific discussion of any one problem, more of a general overview of my bike woes and a chance for me to keep an organised calendar.
Key:
Purple = neither good nor bad
Green = good day (ie without problems)
Red = bad day (problems)
--- Start of Log ---
September 2008
Fri 12 Sep 2008: Picked up Specialized Tricross 2008 (61cm frame size) from Evans. Bike fitted with rack (Tortec Expedition), Mudguards (SKS Chromoplastic in black) and Panniers (Ortlieb Bike Packer Classic).
Sat 13 Sep 2008: Went for quick spin. CDWP tally = 1
Sun 14 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 15 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Tue 16 Sep 2008: Noticed seat post is slipping in frame quite a bit, causing a lot of backache when combined with my gammy arms. Ordered Tacx compound. CDWP tally reset.
Wed 17 Sep 2008: Unable to ride due to backache.
Thu 18 Sep 2008: Did not ride to work.
Fri 19 Sep 2008: Did not ride to work.
Sat 20 Sep 2008: Applied Tacx compound, problem solved. Went for short ride, no problems. CDWP tally = 1
Sun 21 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 22 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Tue 23 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Wed 24 Sep 2008: Noticed rear wheel massively out of true on journey home. CDWP tally reset.
Thu 25 Sep 2008: Could not ride, dropped wheel off at Evans for truing.
Fri 26 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Sat 27 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
Sun 28 Sep 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 29 Sep 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Tue 30 Sep 2008: A spoke broke on the rear wheel while riding to work. CDWP tally reset.
Wed 01 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Thu 02 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 2
Fri 03 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 3
Sat 04 Oct 2008: Did not ride. Went on maintenance course to learn to look after my bike.
Sun 05 Oct 2008: Did not ride. Went on maintenance course to learn to look after my bike.
---
October 2008
Mon 06 Oct 2008: Crank arms keep undoing themselves. Have to keep stopping to tighten with multitool. Had to leave bike at work in order to get wrench to properly tighten. CDWP tally reset.
Tue 07 Oct 2008: One of the bolts securing the rack fell out on the way home from work. CDWP tally reset.
Wed 08 Oct 2008: No problems. CDWP tally = 1
Thu 09 Oct 2008: Start to hear creaking noise. CDWP tally reset.
Fri 10 Oct 2008: Creaking noise gets worse, then becomes knocking type sound. CDWP tally reset.
Sat 11 Oct 2008: Go out, buy lots of tools and new bottom bracket, fit it, noise seems to stop. Did not actually have time to go for a ride though.
Sun 12 Oct 2008: Did not ride.
---
Mon 13 Oct 2008: Two spokes broke on the way home from work. Also a ticking noise can be heard from new BB area.
Tue 14 Oct 2008: Dropped rear wheel off at Evans. Manager said they'd send it back to Specialized to be rebuilt. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Wed 15 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. Beginning to wonder why I didn't just ask for a replacement wheel while they fanny about. Silly me.
Thu 16 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. New, hand-built wheel ordered.
Fri 17 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Sat 18 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Sun 19 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
---
Mon 20 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Tue 21 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. New (hand built) wheel arrives tomorrow but tyre, tube and cassette were left on the old wheel when it was sent back to Specialized so still unable to ride until it comes back.
Wed 22 Oct 2008: Evans called. The wheel should return tomorrow. They asked if I wanted to "take the opportunity to upgrade the rim." I politely declined. Ordered some expensive Pedros tools for changing cassettes because there's nothing like a nice spot of retail therapy.
Thu 23 Oct 2008: Called Evans to double check wheel had arrived back from rebuilding and the manager said yes, so I'm planning to pick it up on the way home tonight, ride to work on it tomorrow and then change everything over onto the new wheel at the weekend.
Fri 24 Oct 2008: Successful journey both ways using the old wheel, although that ticking sound can still be heard from the BB. Will be working on the bike tomorrow so will see if it needs tightening then. Gonna swap to the new wheel this weekend so let's hope the cross-four pattern doesn't break straight away. Or maybe I should hope that it does so I can just send it back and get it cross-three'd. Dunno.
Sat 25 Oct 2008: Worked on the bike most of today and it's potentially running the best it ever has, as long as the rear wheel behaves. Was meant to be changing over to the new wheel but have decided to send it back after all the advice from you guys. Ticking sound has gone away for now, I think it was the cranks. When I checked them they were tight, but not super-tight. So I super-tightened them (60Nm) CDWP tally = 1.
Sun 12 Oct 2008: Did not ride. Although I did help the chap from the downstairs flat inflate his rear tyre (he didn't have a pump). Oddly enough my track pump wouldn't even grip onto his valve but my mini pump worked fine. Hope this doesn't mean my track pump's broken or I'll have to reset its CDWP tally
---
Mon 27 Oct 2008: Someone's nicked my rear light, on the first day after the clocks went back. Bloody typical. Anyway the bike itself was fine, at least. CDWP = 2
Tue 28 Oct 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 3
Wed 29 Oct 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 4
Thu 30 Oct 2008: Both journeys fine. The bike has served me well today, especially on the journey in which was very disjointed due to having to go via the hospital for a check-up on my arms. Could this be my first full week of green since getting the bike (I laugh in the face of tempting fate)? CDWP = 5
Fri 31 Oct 2008: Yes! First entire week without problems since I got the Tricross. CDWP = 6
Sat 01 Nov 2008: Did not ride.
Sun 02 Nov 2008: Did not ride.
---
November 2008
Mon 03 Nov 2008: Did not ride.
Tue 04 Nov 2008: Did not ride, but Rob taught me how to build a wheel, which was ace.
Wed 05 Nov 2008: First ride on the new rear wheel, built with my own fair hands, and it's all good. CDWP = 7.
Thu 06 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Fri 07 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sat 08 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sun 09 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
---
Mon 10 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Tue 11 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Wed 12 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Thu 13 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Fri 14 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sat 15 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sun 16 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
---
Mon 17 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Tue 18 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Wed 19 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Thu 20 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Fri 21 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sat 22 Nov 2008: On holiday in Brazil/Argentina.
Sun 23 Nov 2008: Flying home from Argentina.
---
Mon 24 Nov 2008: Recovering from Brazil/Argentina.
Tue 25 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Wed 26 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Thu 27 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Fri 28 Nov 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Sat 29 Nov 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 30 Nov 2008: Having not used the bike for a few weeks and planning to cycle to work tomorrow morning I decided to give it a check-over. The brakes seemed to be rubbing but it wasn't until after about ten minutes of tinkering I realised that the wheel was out of true. One of the spokes on the wheel I built with Rob just before going on holiday had worked itself completely loose despite us doing a bang-up job of building and tensioning it properly. Swapped to the other wheel for now as I don't have a spoke key at the moment. CDWP tally reset.
---
December 2008
Mon 01 Dec 2008: After changing the wheel yesterday both journeys went fine. CDWP = 1
Tue 02 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 2
Wed 03 Dec 2008: Journey in fine, didn't cycle home due to Xmas drinks after work. CDWP = 3
Thu 04 Dec 2008: No cycling due to more post-work Xmas drinks.
Fri 05 Dec 2008: Journey home fine. CDWP = 4
Sat 06 Dec 2008: Did not cycle to work.
Sun 07 Dec 2008: Did not cycle to work.
---
Mon 08 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 5
Tue 09 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 6
Wed 10 Dec 2008: Did not cycle (work xmas party tonight).
Thu 11 Dec 2008: Strategic day off work.
Fri 12 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sat 13 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 14 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
---
Mon 15 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 7
Tue 16 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 8
Wed 17 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 9
Thu 18 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 10
Fri 19 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 11
Sat 20 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 21 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
---
Mon 22 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 12
Tue 23 Dec 2008: Did not cycle (dinner with the missus after work).
Wed 24 Dec 2008: Off work, did not cycle.
Thu 25 Dec 2008: Xmas day, yay. Did not cycle but cycling-related presents included a spoke tension meter (Park one) and wheel truing stand (not Park one, cheap one)..
Fri 26 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sat 27 Dec 2008: Did not cycle.
Sun 28 Dec 2008: Did not cycle but spent the day fettling. Wheels now as true as is humanly possible although there's a chance I might have overtensioned the rear one a bit as I did it up to 120 Kg of force (1200 Newtons).
---
Mon 29 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine, but bloody cold. CDWP = 13
Tue 30 Dec 2008: Did not cycle, I draw the line at minus five degrees, especially when my back's hurting. Drove to work instead.
Wed 31 Dec 2008: Both journeys fine, happy new year everyone, I'm really pleased to be finishing 2008 with a working bike and the CDWP in double figures. I've learnt a lot about bike maintenance this year, partly thanks to this forum, partly thanks to shelling out for a course and partly due to Rob Barker, who taught me to build a wheel. Thankls Rob and everyone. CDWP = 14
Thu 01 Jan 2009: Did not cycle, day off. Finally ordered a base layer in (what I hope is) my size.
Fri 02 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 15
---
January 2009
Mon 05 Jan 2009: Did not ride (due to snow) but wished I had (due to the incompetence of station staff at Clapham Junction).
Tue 06 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 16
Wed 07 Jan 2009: Wimped out due to having a cold... Sorry, I mean a man cold.
Thu 08 Jan 2009: As above.
Fri 09 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 17
Sat 10 Jan 2009: Did not ride..
Sun 11 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
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Mon 12 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine, although I noticed a squeaking/creaking/scraping sound on the way home. Let's just hope it was the wet roads and it's gone again in the morning. CDWP = 18
Tue 13 Jan 2009: Noise seems to have gone away again. Phew. Both journeys fine. CDWP = 19
Wed 14 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 20
Thu 15 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 21
Fri 16 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. Feel really good to have done all five days this week. CDWP = 22
Sat 17 Jan 2009: Did not ride..
Sun 18 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
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Mon 19 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine and I even managed a swim after work. CDWP = 23
Tue 20 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 24
Wed 21 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 25
Thu 22 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
Fri 23 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 26
Sat 24 Jan 2009: Rode 25 miles, which is the longest single ride I've managed since breaking the arms. CDWP = 27
Sun 25 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
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Mon 26 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 28
Tue 27 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 29
Wed 28 Jan 2009: Rear mech won't index properly but bike is rideable. Just annoying as every time you need to shift you have to change two gears and then back one. CDWP tally will not be reset but will be held at 29 until problem is fixed.
Thu 29 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine apart from mech issue. CDWP held.
Fri 30 Jan 2009: Both journeys fine apart from mech issue. CDWP held.
Sat 31 Jan 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 01 Feb 2009: Did not ride but fixed rear mech with a new cable. CDWP tally will be updated with the days when it was held since this turned out to be a minor problem I was able to fix myself.
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February 2009
Mon 02 Feb 2009: Unable to get to work due to heavy snow.
Tue 03 Feb 2009: Unable to get to work due to heavy snow.
Wed 04 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine, bike is running like a dream at the moment since sorting the gear problem. Extended journey home by a few miles to celebrate and because I felt guilty for not cycling the past two days. CDWP = 33
Thu 05 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 34
Fri 06 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Bought some Assos bib tights. Still reeling from the cost. CDWP = 35
Sat 07 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 08 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
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Mon 09 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 36
Tue 10 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 37
Wed 11 Feb 2009: Off work.
Thu 12 Feb 2009: Off work.
Fri 13 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to make it 28.6 miles with a postal tube of Valentine's wrapping paper sticking out my pannier. CDWP = 38
Sat 14 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 15 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
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Mon 16 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 18 miles. CDWP = 39
Tue 17 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 40
Wed 18 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 41
Thu 19 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 42
Fri 20 Feb 2009: Rode home thinking my headset needed replacing but it turned out to be cables. Phew. Both journeys fine. CDWP = 43
Sat 21 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 22 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 147
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Mon 23 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 21 miles. CDWP = 44
Tue 24 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 29 miles. CDWP = 45
Wed 25 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine apart from a slight altercation with a motorbike. CDWP = 46
Thu 26 Feb 2009: That ticking sound is back but bike is perfectly rideable. It's not cables this time, think it might be a little play in the front hub bearing but will investigate at the weekend. CDWP = 47
Fri 27 Feb 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 48
Sat 28 Feb 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 01 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 162
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March 2009
Mon 02 Mar 2009: Did not ride (my birthday, off work).
Tue 03 Mar 2009: Did not ride (off work).
Wed 04 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 29 miles. CDWP = 49
Thu 05 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 50!!! A momentous occasion.
Fri 06 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 51
Sat 07 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 08 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 99
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Mon 09 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 31 miles. CDWP = 52
Tue 10 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 53
Wed 11 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 54
Thu 12 Mar 2009: Did not ride - saddle sore
Fri 13 Mar 2009: Did not ride (going out after work).
Sat 14 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 15 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 101
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Mon 16 Mar 2009: Does a broken bottle cage count as a CDWP reset?
...Both journeys fine. Extended ride home to 36 miles. CDWP = 55Tue 17 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 56
Wed 18 Mar 2009: Did not ride (physio appointment).
Thu 19 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 57
Fri 20 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 58
Sat 21 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 22 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 134
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Mon 23 Mar 2009:Both journeys fine. CDWP = 59
Tue 24 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 60
Wed 25 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 61
Thu 26 Mar 2009: Both journeys fine. CDWP = 62
Fri 27 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sat 28 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Sun 29 Mar 2009: Did not ride.
Weekly miles: 112
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Mon 30 Mar 2009:Both journeys fine. CDWP = 63
Tue 31 Mar 2009: Puncture on way in. Spent ages in Bishops Park trying to find the offending object inside the tyre but no joy. Looking forward to hisses on the journey home but not fair to reset CDWP tally. CDWP = 64
Wed 01 Apr 2009:Both journeys fine. CDWP = 65
Thu 02 Apr 2009: Did not ride (finally had MRI scan on elbows).
--- End of log ---
As I said, I'm going to update this every day and collate all of the updates here in this opening post as well. Fingers crossed for the fifty.
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Comments
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*** This space reserved in case I hit the character limit in the opening post one day ***0
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You aren't going to like this reply but a) from Evans there is probably a reasonable percentage that your bike was put together by a shaved monkey;
b) imho part of the fun of cycling is knowing how to fix your bike and tune it to keep it running smooth. Initially it starts off as a big challenge and you will hate every small thing that goes worong - but soon enough you will be in the position that every bike you own are built by your own fair hand from a pile of bits and anything that goes wrong is your own sweet fault anyway.
On your specific problems, my observations for what they are worth are firstly that Evans should obviously give you a brand new rear wheel as you clearly have a friday afternoon job, (if they won't then buy one for £50 as you will soon spend that on repairs anyway), secondly why not check over every bolt on the bike and check it is properly tight (should only take 30 minutes) and thirdly that every small knocking sound does not mean you need to whip the part out and immediately replace.
I know you said you didn't want a discussion of all your problems but in that case why bother posting the list.<a>road</a>0 -
el_presidente is a wise man and speaks the truthFCN3: Titanium Qoroz.0
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and you seem to be classing 'snapped elastic on the furry dice' as as much of a problem as wheels falling off!Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.
H.G. Wells.0 -
I see no mention in your log of having the first free service? It's meant to be four to six weeks after purchase, and your issues point to having it at the early end of that.0
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Tue 14 Oct 2008: Dropped rear wheel off at Evans. Manager said they'd send it back to Specialized to be rebuilt. Unable to cycle in meantime.Big Red S wrote:I see no mention in your log of having the first free service? It's meant to be four to six weeks after purchase, and your issues point to having it at the early end of that.
On the bike maintenance course I did we took our own bikes, stripped them down to the frame, serviced everything and rebuilt them. That counts as a full service in my book and I'm damn sure it was a better service than Evans would've done.0 -
so all the bolts that fell out after that were your fault! I'm not sure quite what the purpose of this thread is now <a>road</a>0
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50 days without so much as an adjustment?
GOOD LUCK!
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el_presidente wrote:so all the bolts that fell out after that were your fault! I'm not sure quite what the purpose of this thread is now
The torque figures they gave on the course were wrong (too low). I now know the correct ones.0 -
What does a puncture count as?
In my experience, most bottom brackets go through a noisy period of bedding in. I run at the budget end of the market though, so perhaps this doesn't/shouldn't happen on a Tricross. Creaking to knocking would suggest it's worked loose.0 -
A puncture will probably reset the tally. Remains to be seen.0
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Jamey, this is a very pessimistic thread, you seem to be having a lot of problems, however I think the aim of 50 CDWP is on the high side. I wouldn't call them problems but often my bikes need very minor fettling as things wear or go out of adjustment, I hardly take any notice of doing this, rather it is like one ongoing service. The wheel issues are certainly annoying and obviously the original build is poor (not unusual on budget machine built wheels). I don't think Evans offered the right solution, however, they should have replaced the wheel, and I think consumer law would have been on your side. Also, a good bike shop would have given the wheel the once over on the pre delivery inspection (however, many don't), and if it had been properly tensioned it would probably still be true and without breakages. It is also quite pathetic that Evans send it back to Spesh for a rebuild, any self-respecting bike mechanic should be able to do this, just shows they don't have self-respecting bike mechanics!
Still, I guess Evans were cheap...
By the way, I have not had a spoke break in 15 years. The most expensive wheel I have had cost £75.0 -
For what its worth, i have had brand new bottom brackets (ISIS) replaced under warranty at less than 4 weeks old due to developing play. By the same token, i have run others (also ISIS) for 18 months with noise and play, just to get the maximum use out of them. We would all rather our bikes were smooth and silent, but theirs a certain inevitability that they will have some noise. Despite me making a lot of adjustments, on bumpy roads my mudguards make a racket; i just have to live with it.
I would agree with someone elses post, snapped spokes or chain, or a seized BB are worlds apart from a puncture or installing a new chain as part of a service, though. I have had some long spells without punctures, but 50 days is ten weeks of commuting, or nearly 1000 miles for me, and i think i would be pretty lucky to be puncture free for that long.0 -
Oh, and by the way, the thread is okay with me, in a sort of tragic-comedy sort of way.0
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As I said, this thread is more for myself than for the rest of you. Sorry if that sounds selfish but it's the truth. I wanted to collate all of the information in one place that I could view from anywhere with an internet connection.
I could have started a blog but that seemed a little grand, just a simple thread on this commuting forum seemed a better idea.
Maybe I'll never reach fifty, maybe I'll get to a hundred, maybe I'll move the goalposts halfway and maybe I'll get bored after a week. All I know is that I want to log all this stuff properly and if you guys want to have a read and leave a few comments then that's a bonus.
Cheers
J0 -
I have to admit, i have been keeping tables on the work computer, of average speeds and time of ride and what have you, for the last 5 years. It has got a little more sophisticated as ive gone along, with punctures noted, new chains or other significant component changes noted. It helps when it comes to seeing exactly how long i do go before my tyres are worn out, or a cassette, or whatever. This thread is another way of doing that, so all power to your biking elbow!0
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Wed 15 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. Beginning to wonder why I didn't just ask for a replacement wheel while they fanny about. Silly me.0
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Thu 16 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. New, hand-built wheel ordered.0
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Fri 17 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.0
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Jamey wrote:Thu 16 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime. New, hand-built wheel ordered.
Why have you ordered a hand built wheel? Is it to replace the one that is in for repair or do you just want an upgrade? The fact that you have only had the bike four weeks or so sounds like the wheel - and therefore the bike -wasn't fit for purpose or of merchantable quality. I'm sure you'd have rights under the 'Sale of Goods act', some information here. I'm also surprised because Evans is a big chain and the least they could have done is provide you with a wheel to keep you on the road.Steve C0 -
Yes, you're right but I can't be f*cked to stand in the shop arguing... All I want to do is ride my bike with the minimum of fuss so I'm buying a truly bomb-proof wheel and when the old wheel comes back from being repaired I'm going to use it to teach myself the art of wheelbuilding and hub servicing.0
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Jamey wrote:Yes, you're right but I can't be f*cked to stand in the shop arguing... All I want to do is ride my bike with the minimum of fuss so I'm buying a truly bomb-proof wheel and when the old wheel comes back from being repaired I'm going to use it to teach myself the art of wheelbuilding and hub servicing.
Fair enough. Just hope Evans realise how much future trade they're not going to get from you. I've never used them since they insisted I drove from Shropshire to Manchester to change some faulty lights I'd bought in store. Their internet department claimed it wasn't their responsibility as Evans online is separate from Evans Stores (despite being the same company) Had to mention Sale of Goods act etc before they'd pull their thumbs out. Luckily the company I worked for had just merged with another in Manchester so there was a lot of staff going up and down the road who were happy to be my couriers.Steve C0 -
I keep a spreadsheet of every ride or major change on my bikes. i know how many miles/months each part lasted.
I then avoid things that don't last long or I have good arguments for warranty claims.--
Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails0 -
Sat 18 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Sun 19 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Mon 20 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.0 -
Jamey wrote:Sat 18 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Sun 19 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
Mon 20 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. Unable to cycle in meantime.
This is seriously putting me off Evans.0 -
Yeah, I called them yesterday to chase it up. They left a message on my voicemail:
"Well it was sent to them last week so we'd expect it back towards the end of this week."
I guess they don't think it's important to chase up Specialized and/or give me any sort of meaningful update or assurances. The worst part is that (as you'll see from today's update in red below) even though my new, hand-built, bomb-proof, cross-four laced wheel arrives tomorrow I can't use it until I get the old one back from Evans because I left the cassette, trye and tube on it.
Stupid thing to do but at the time I dropped it off i wasn't 100% sure I was going to shell out for a hand built wheel. In typical style it only took me to the end of the day to convince myself.
Anyway, today's journal entry:
Tue 21 Oct 2008: Wheel still with Evans/Specialized. New (hand built) wheel arrives tomorrow but tyre, tube and cassette were left on the old wheel when it was sent back to Specialized so still unable to ride until it comes back.0 -
Wed 22 Oct 2008: Evans called. The wheel should return tomorrow. They asked if I wanted to "take the opportunity to upgrade the rim." I politely declined. Ordered some expensive Pedros tools for changing cassettes because there's nothing like a nice spot of retail therapy.0
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They've just rebuilt the wheel THEN ask if you want to upgrade the rim?? :roll:<a>road</a>0
