LBS bodge advice
sonny73
Posts: 2,203
I’m looking for a bit of advice as to what to do.
Back in October I had basically a new DA group, bars, stem, tape, headset, spacers and pedals fitted to my best frame.
When I picked it up it was a mess, bars weren’t straight, stem wasn’t straight, front mech rubbed, shifters weren’t straight, tape wasn’t done properly, gels not fitted, new cables weren’t fitted, spacers not all used.
So I showed the manager what was visibly wrong and he swiftly and happily adjusted the build, and he said he did the adjustments with the lad that stuffed it up in the first place. I picked the bike up and all appeared fine.
Fast forward to today, having ridden it with no real probs since:
I found another new nearer LBS, great guys with a great rep to give the bike a service as I had a couple of minor niggles, one of which was a touch of play in the headset.
They called me today and said on checking the headset, whoever had last clamped the stem on hadn’t used a torque wrench and have cracked the carbon steer tube. Also the stem was done up so tightly that the bolts had split.
I’m going to contact the old LBS that did the build as they were the last and only people to touch the stem, but do I have a leg to stand on after 6 months and can I demand replacements for damaged parts or refund for the build payment, or am I wasting my time in your experiences?
I was also going to ask they check everything that was built up for any other damage, particularly the frame.
Sorry for the long post and wasn't sure which room to stick this on, but your advice is appreciated.
A not so sunny Sonny
Back in October I had basically a new DA group, bars, stem, tape, headset, spacers and pedals fitted to my best frame.
When I picked it up it was a mess, bars weren’t straight, stem wasn’t straight, front mech rubbed, shifters weren’t straight, tape wasn’t done properly, gels not fitted, new cables weren’t fitted, spacers not all used.
So I showed the manager what was visibly wrong and he swiftly and happily adjusted the build, and he said he did the adjustments with the lad that stuffed it up in the first place. I picked the bike up and all appeared fine.
Fast forward to today, having ridden it with no real probs since:
I found another new nearer LBS, great guys with a great rep to give the bike a service as I had a couple of minor niggles, one of which was a touch of play in the headset.
They called me today and said on checking the headset, whoever had last clamped the stem on hadn’t used a torque wrench and have cracked the carbon steer tube. Also the stem was done up so tightly that the bolts had split.
I’m going to contact the old LBS that did the build as they were the last and only people to touch the stem, but do I have a leg to stand on after 6 months and can I demand replacements for damaged parts or refund for the build payment, or am I wasting my time in your experiences?
I was also going to ask they check everything that was built up for any other damage, particularly the frame.
Sorry for the long post and wasn't sure which room to stick this on, but your advice is appreciated.
A not so sunny Sonny
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Comments
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Name and shame the shop!
I'd contact the bike shop and see how they deal with it. It would be very difficult to prove they were the cause of the broken steerer but hopefully they'll be reasonable about it. Let us know how you get on.0 -
Yeh I figured the same sadly, I guess you can't expect too much after so long. I will keep you posted, but too much of a gent to name and shame, also to be fair to them they have been brilliant on all other dealings.PeteMadoc wrote:Name and shame the shop!
I'd contact the bike shop and see how they deal with it. It would be very difficult to prove they were the cause of the broken steerer but hopefully they'll be reasonable about it. Let us know how you get on.0 -
Gutted for you mate, nothing worse than having your bike butchered by your LBS. trusting them to do a good job can be such a leap of faith until you find a real good one.0
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You are probably not going to get much comeback with the original LBS after so long, so probably name and shame I would do (but don't be libelous, just factual).Summer - Dolan Tuono with Sram Force and Dura-Ace 7850 CL Carbon wheels
Winter - old faithful Ribble winter bike
SugarSync cloud storage referral link (better than DropBox atm imho) https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?rf=mzo2tcrhm5gn0 -
should have taken it to halfords
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I think an email pointing them to this thread and asking what compensation they will give may be a start.
If they are a good company that had a bad day, they will want to make sure you are compensated for being on the end of that bad day.
Give them the chance to put things right before naming and shaming them.
If they do put things right, just post up here and say the matter is closed, nothing more.Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
Boardman FS Pro0 -
Took the bike in and showed the old LBS, I was polite, but visibly gutted I'd guess.
They were excellent and are sending the bike on to the manufacturer for a check on the crack. Also replacing the stem no questions.
They did say they didn't think it was them at all and had faith in the lad that did the work and that it could be wear and tear or may have been the other place, understandable replies from them I guess; but that's beside the point anyway now as they were brilliant and have stepped up and it's getting checked.
Will let you know how I get on.
The weird thing is out of this I have been really impressed by the attitude and help of both places. Still I was glad I asked on here if I had a leg to stand on as it compelled me to get on it with the right attitude, so cheers for your replies chaps.
But no names will given.0
