Am I unlucky or are modern bikes not built very well?
benws1
Posts: 413
in Road general
Since 2017 I have bought three brand new road bikes. Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc, Raleigh Mustang Sport and just last year, a Specialized Allez. Each bicycle has had problems.
The Cube had a non existent pdi and was returned after lots of visits to the bike shop, lots of problems and finally an out of spec BB. I still own the Raleigh and the Specialized.
The Raleigh had a terrible pdi, issues from the moment I bought it and lots of over tightened bits, like the rear hub and headset. The bike shop I bought it from refused to fix anything without charging me labour costs. I've been doing things myself.
Just after I bought the Specialized the chain kept falling off and initially, the bike shop refused to fix this as they said they couldn't recreate it. It took multiple trips and me asking them to replace the cassette to fix the problem. Recently, the tyres have started disintegrating (shedding material on the side wall) and I found out that the bolt in the headset expander thing was completely loose.
I have had to fix the headsets on both the Raleigh and the Specialized (due to clicking noises from new that the bike shops 'can't find') and when taking them apart, found little to no grease around the bearings. It seems a common thing on these bikes, lack of grease and lube where this is needed. Cost cutting by the manufacturers?
Have I been unlucky or are modern bikes not built so well? Or is it lazy bike shop mechanics? The above were purchased from three different bike shops and I've lost confidence in all of them.
Ironically, I bought a £200 Raleigh hybrid around six years ago. That thing is still going strong and all I have had to do to it is minimal maintenance and replace the back wheel.
Anyone else seem to have issues with new bikes that make you wonder why you bothered buying new? I think my next one will be second hand. It seems to me that things are done on the cheap when it comes to certain brands. Makes me laugh when I see the prices of these things nowadays.
The Cube had a non existent pdi and was returned after lots of visits to the bike shop, lots of problems and finally an out of spec BB. I still own the Raleigh and the Specialized.
The Raleigh had a terrible pdi, issues from the moment I bought it and lots of over tightened bits, like the rear hub and headset. The bike shop I bought it from refused to fix anything without charging me labour costs. I've been doing things myself.
Just after I bought the Specialized the chain kept falling off and initially, the bike shop refused to fix this as they said they couldn't recreate it. It took multiple trips and me asking them to replace the cassette to fix the problem. Recently, the tyres have started disintegrating (shedding material on the side wall) and I found out that the bolt in the headset expander thing was completely loose.
I have had to fix the headsets on both the Raleigh and the Specialized (due to clicking noises from new that the bike shops 'can't find') and when taking them apart, found little to no grease around the bearings. It seems a common thing on these bikes, lack of grease and lube where this is needed. Cost cutting by the manufacturers?
Have I been unlucky or are modern bikes not built so well? Or is it lazy bike shop mechanics? The above were purchased from three different bike shops and I've lost confidence in all of them.
Ironically, I bought a £200 Raleigh hybrid around six years ago. That thing is still going strong and all I have had to do to it is minimal maintenance and replace the back wheel.
Anyone else seem to have issues with new bikes that make you wonder why you bothered buying new? I think my next one will be second hand. It seems to me that things are done on the cheap when it comes to certain brands. Makes me laugh when I see the prices of these things nowadays.
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First job on my new Wilier was to change the cassette. I struggled for days to get the new cassette on. I could not fit the supplied cassette back on either. The one thing in life that I am good at is doing things like this. I managed it eventually but i was not happy with it but it worked.
Over year later my back wheel was written off in an accident. The cassette was fitted to a new wheel no problem. After some investigation I found my new out of the box DT Swiss wheel on my 11 speed brand new from Chainreaction Wilier had been fitted with a 10 speed freehub.
The Wilier is my go to wet weather bike. I love it but how can the above happen?
Bottom bracket failed twice - new upgraded bottom bracket and crankset required.
Saddle failed - new saddle required.
Bike isn’t even two years old yet and I spent 3 months last year too I’ll to ride.
I have to agree that new bikes have issues.
Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
When I say terrible pdi, they have ticked something as checked on the sheet and not done it. They might as well not bothered with the sheet.
The non existent pdi was when they put the sheet on the bike, but didnt fill it in.
These are things that should be sorted before the bike is handed over anyway. Things like gears, headset, bolt tightness etc.
I wouldn't feel happy riding it until I'd given everything a check over.
The last few bikes I've had I've built up the framesets myself so I have only myself to blame.
Bikes from Halfords , lots of issues.
Other retailers vary.
Despite moving 300 miles from the Newcastle branch of Edinburgh Bike Co-op, I still think of them as my LBS.
Two other local bike shops (Peterborough area) supplied my other two.
Real pain because one of the bike shops is only a couple of miles away from me.