Evans *sigh*

greasedscotsman

So I thought I'd be brave and get myself my new Kona HK from those numpties at Evans. They were offering money off, they had my size in stock, so I thought I'd give them a go. What could go wrong?

Went to get the bike out of the garage last night to go for a ride and wasn't able to turn the headset. I stripped it to find a rather rusty bottom race and a top race with barely any grease. I cleaned it all out and regreased no problem, still got my ride in.

Is it too much to ask for some grease in the headset? OK, I can accept that this is as much Kona's fault, but surely someone at Evans should have checked. And this is after the cranks coming lose (or is that loose Mr. NapD?) after a coulpe of rides because they hadn't done the pinch bolts up properly. I suppose I expected better.

But nevermind, when I bought the bike I got them to swap over a number of bits, such as chainset (170mm cranks to 175mm), stem, cassette, etc. When I went to collect the bike they gave me a bag which I thought just had the empty box from the chainset. When I got home I opened it up to find they had not only swapped the parts, but given me the parts they had taken off as well! So does anyone want a 170mm chainset, BB, stem, etc

Lou_m

In my experience of working in bike shops in the past, the mechanics wouldn't strip the headset down to grease it as it comes pre assembled. Look at it as lesson learned. When I buy bikes now i generally assemble it myself or strip it down once home and apply extra grease where required.

You did well to keep all the swapped out parts!!

GiantMike

The last 2 things I bought from Evans had to go back because they were both faulty, but I just put that down to bad luck because they were just selling on what had been supplied to them. It is unfuriating though when you convince yourself everything will be brilliant, and then it isn't, and you have to return it via the Post Office and wait for 4 weeks for a cheque after 4 phone calls to chase them up, and then they don't include the postage costs on a Warranty return (my most recent experience).

PM sent regarding parts.

whyamihere

greasedscotsman wrote:

So does anyone want a 170mm chainset, BB, stem, etc

I'll have 'em if you're giving them away.

greasedscotsman

Lou_m wrote:

In my experience of working in bike shops in the past, the mechanics wouldn't strip the headset down to grease it as it comes pre assembled. Look at it as lesson learned. When I buy bikes now i generally assemble it myself or strip it down once home and apply extra grease where required.

You did well to keep all the swapped out parts!!

I think that's probably a fair comment, maybe this is Kona's mistake. Still a bit disappointing. I wonder how many of Evan's typical customer would have to notice this as a problem, continued to ride and damaged the headset. Nevermind, as you say, if you want it done properly...