Bottom bracket gone after 50 miles??

wozza84

I bought a Mongoose Tyax Elite 2010 3 months ago and when it had its free service I mentioned when pedalling it was not smooth and there was a clicking / grinding noise. I was told it was the gears that needed adjusting so they went ahead with it. Now its making an awful noise when putting pressure on the pedals and it feels so rough. I rang the shop where I bought it from and they reckon its the bottom bracket which needs repalcing plus will cost me some money. Surely 50 miles / 3 months old the bracket wont need replacing?? Its only been used on road and Grafham water. Any suggestions please as I dont feel I should pay for anything as it did not feel right from the beginning and Im a little annoyed its broken already ?? Many thanks

nicklouse

they can go at anytime. it all depends on where you have ridden and in what you ride and how you clean your bike.

delta5

Take off chain, turn cranks by hand - if they are still rough and grindy yes its a buggered BB.
Even the cheap sealed cartridges don't usually fail in 3 months / 50 miles, unless you've got mud & grit in the bearings, for example by using a pressure washer. Otherwise it could just be a dud BB or plain bad luck. Parts like that aren't usually covered by warranty but a replacement FSA shouldn't cost you more than £10-15. Negotiate with them on any labour charges. You could take the opportunity to upgrade to something slightly better, which may (or may not) last longer, for £25-30.

cavegiant

I am not sure what cranks you have, but if it is a design like Shim HT2, the crank preload is adjustable. If a ham fisted muppet put your cranks on he may have overtightened. This would kill a BB in 50 miles.

Learning this lesson cost me a BB =-(

when it says finger tight it means it!

mattv

Most decent shops would replace a BB under warranty if the bike is as new as you say. If it is obvious that the bike has been pressure washed or neglected then you are less likely to have it free. If a BB is creaking after so little time it is probably a dud unit.

wozza84

Well took the bike back to the shop yesterday and they checked over everything. They said the cause of the noise and grinding was that the jockey wheel is still wearing in and may take upto 300 miles. They took it for a ride and did say it does fell awful but there is nothing they can do until the rear jockey wheel are worn in. It dont feel like a jockey wheel but then again I am fairly new to the bike scene.

Forgot to mention that the shop said the BB is in fine working order. I dont want to ride my bike it feels that bad

Andy B

Jockey wheels need to be worn in, that's bull crap, they're talking out of their arses.

cooldad

What AndyB said. Absolute tosh. Jockey wheels wear out, not in.

Johnny Napalm

Where is this bike shop? I want to purchase their range of components that wear-in, as I'm sick of replacing worn parts.

mattv

Agreed as above. Smells of bull poo! If the jockey wheels are not the same pitch as the chain then there is a problem!

nicklouse

TBH i would be going to another LBS for an evaluation of what is wrong.

I would also have a chat with the CAB as if the bike is not fit for you may have the option of returning it and asking for your money back.....

then find a good bike shop.

clwydian_rider92

if the BB has gone:

- have you been using a jet wash?
- the bike shop might have overtightned the BB, howver 5o miles :?

The Rookie

Never heard so much rubbish in all my life.....

Worth you turning the bike upside down and and turning the cranks (put light pressure on the rear brakes to load it slightly) then get your ear in close and see if you can figure where the noise is coming from.

The tyax uses SRAM X5 rear mechs which can be prone to picking up crud and then it sit there grinding, in which case the rear mech may need a clean out.

Simon

cavegiant

jockey wheels need wearing!

LOL.


were they laughing when you left the shop?

wozza84

clwydian_rider92 wrote:

if the BB has gone:

- have you been using a jet wash?
- the bike shop might have overtightned the BB, howver 5o miles :?

I only use a hose to rinse the bike but try to keep away from any bearings.

Can anyone recommend another bike shop near me in st. Ives, Cambs? I dont want to mention the bike shop on here as they will prob see it and cause problems for them.

diy

Forget the mechanical diagnosis (although all the above are good suggestions), its under 3 months old therefore its faulty - that is a legal fact, unless they can show otherwise.

your statutory rights allow you to reject the bike. Remind them of that.

Any fault found within 3 months of purchase is deemed to exist at the point of purchase. End of discussion.

Take the bike somewhere else get the problems diagnosed and then rescind the contract (cancel the purchase due to faults) if you are not happy with the service and buy a bike from the other LBS.

Don't worry about not naming them I think its this shop

previously called "I saw you coming".[/img]

Drysuitdiver

worth adding in that if you paid anything towrds the original purchase of the bike by credit card then call your Credit card company and let them deal with it if the shop get arsey with you.

wozza84

Ok called the shop again today abd they will look at it Friday afternoon. I went to halfords last night for a quick second opinion and they think the bottom bracket is to blame. I took the jockey wheels out, cleaned, greased them and the noise is still the same. I paid cash for the bike but im starting to get frustrated as i dont feel safe riding it. I will be so annoyed if im 10 miles from home and then something breaks.

diy

Have you tried the suggestion of dropping the chain off and turning the pedals to see. This is going to be the best test of a pooped bb.

Also check the jockeys are the right way round and that you have gear pulley and jockey in the right place. I'm saying this without any idea what mech you have.

Lastly check the chain clearance on the front mech. If its too low it will chew the teeth on the big cog and make it feel like your bearings are shot.