Advice needed

St50vec
St50vec Posts: 57
edited July 2016 in Workshop
Hey I'm due to take my bike back into halfords again on Sunday as the gear cable has gone slack again I'm struggling to get near 20miles before it goes slack again. I'm also returning it as after it's 6 week check whilst braking down hill the handle bars twisted on me as all the bolts where loose. What do you think I should ask for tbh I no longer trust the bike or the shop but can't afford to take it anywhere else.

Comments

  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,659
    Full refund.
  • St50vec
    St50vec Posts: 57
    On finance that's the only problem. I was thinking of being cheeky and asking for the next model up in the group.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Three loose bolts doesn't mean the bike needs to go into a skip. Just get an allen wrench on them, (or even better, something like a Ritchey Torque Key) and tighten them yourself.
  • First.Aspect
    First.Aspect Posts: 17,136
    Don't panic chap.

    This will be something sh!t simple for any mechanic not in need of a brain transplant to solve. Either the cable at the rear mech is slipping through the bolt or the ferrules on the cables need bedding in.

    All you need is to buy an extremely large allen wrench and beat the Halfwits mechanic to death with it. Problem solved.
  • St50vec
    St50vec Posts: 57
    I have already re torqued the whole bike using me snap on gear and some trusty loctight. My main issue is that obviously the cable shouldn't go slack so often so must be something causing it and the bolts mainly cos it shouldn't have happened. I'm a mechanic by trade and think that if I had left things loose on a car and not repaired it fully the customer would be annoyed
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    As mentioned, the only thing that would cause the mech cable to pull through would be a lack of tension on the retaining bolt. You are either not tightening it enough, or the thread may be stripped.
  • jermas
    jermas Posts: 484
    Check that the ferrules (bits on the end of the cables) are present and are pushed on fully.Whilst in the largest rear cog, give the inner cable a pull from under the down tube- this will cause the cable to slacken (if there's a cable problem). Check, re-adjust if necessary.
    You've got every right to be angry about the handbars being loose! I think I'd just maintain it myself after its service.
  • St50vec
    St50vec Posts: 57
    Bike went in yesterday and was told earlier that the rear gear cable was kinked inside the frame so hopefully that is that sorted. Still in discussions over the bolts
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    St50vec wrote:
    Still in discussions over the bolts

    If someone suggests tightening them, that could be the way forward.
  • webboo
    webboo Posts: 6,087
    Imposter wrote:
    St50vec wrote:
    Still in discussions over the bolts

    If someone suggests tightening them, that could be the way forward.
    :shock:
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    St50vec wrote:
    I'm a mechanic by trade
    There's your answer then. Trust your own skills and incentive to have the bike working properly, rather than relying on some disinterested youth in Halfords for your safety and enjoyment of the bike.

    Take it off them, thank them for their time then take it home and give it the once over. There's only a handful of things to worry about - handlebars, brakes, gears, wheels & saddle - and each is the simplest bit of engineering known to man. If you get stuck, someone will have made a vid on Youtube that explains it. There really is no reason for anyone who knows one end of an Allen key* from the other to trouble Halfords Bicycle Maintenance Dept.

    *Where has "allen wrench" come from? It's a name hence Allen not allen, and wrench is one of the worst Americanisms around. Allen key. Please.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    CiB wrote:
    *Where has "allen wrench" come from? It's a name hence Allen not allen, and wrench is one of the worst Americanisms around. Allen key. Please.

    Nice to see that pedantry is alive and well... ;)
  • St50vec
    St50vec Posts: 57
    I'm going to put it down to experience and check the bolts before each ride from now on. Fingers crossed no more issues. Did make me laugh when the manager told me that the bike was now being worked on by the trained mechanic and not the other guy.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Shouldn't need checking before every ride if they are tightened correctly. Most people don't check their wheel nuts each time before getting in the car...
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    If the bolts are properly tightened you shouldn't need to check them every ride. I just squeeze the tyres, make sure the brakes are working and bounce the bike a bit to see if anything sounds loose.

    I don't go using thread lock routinely either. I do put a bit of copperslip on threads that generally stay put but that one day I'll want to undo; screw-in BBs, pedal threads, brake caliper mounting bolts and those for mudguards / racks. Everything else gets a smear of cheapo lithium grease on assembly just to deter corrosion.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    When I build a bike up I make sure I've tightened up all the bolts from top to toe.

    Then I'll go for a small shakedown ride - just to check - not a huge one, but enough to test it. Then I'll go through the bolts again to see if anything has loosened.

    After that - you should be OK.

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