Disappointment with buying new bike
Discussion
I've been crazy excited about buying a new bike, and I finally got to pick it up on Sat.
I had phoned the shop on Friday, to ensure it would be ready on Saturday to collect and to ensure they'd swapped the pedals to flats from SPD's (I didn't want to folk out for the shoes yet), asked them to fit a computer and ensure it had been tested.
Upon arriving I get them to bring the bike down, nothing fitted, not a huge issue, shouldn't take too long. A note taped to the saddle saying to test brakes and gears, I assume it's not been done as the person would have removed the note. Almost 2 hours pass, with the original guy deciding he wants to help someone else out, not me, and then the new guy dithering about with my new bike.
Finally, I hand over the voucher, sign on the dotted line and walk out. I proceed to sit on the bike, to cycle to the car, and the bloody tyres are half inflated! I take it back and ask why, no reason, they just smile.
Getting the bike back, riding it down the street, the chains hitting the rail adjuster in the 3rd cog (front) great! I also notice there appears to be no oil on the chain.
So, I've spend £900 on a bike, that was the last one in the store, to have it not checked at all, leave the tyres half inflated for over 2 weeks, I've got no manuals for the bike (I forgot to ask in the shop due to excitement) and it not work correctly!
A phone call to the manager will be made later today, but I feel I'm not going to get anywhere.
Sorry, just had to vent.
I had phoned the shop on Friday, to ensure it would be ready on Saturday to collect and to ensure they'd swapped the pedals to flats from SPD's (I didn't want to folk out for the shoes yet), asked them to fit a computer and ensure it had been tested.
Upon arriving I get them to bring the bike down, nothing fitted, not a huge issue, shouldn't take too long. A note taped to the saddle saying to test brakes and gears, I assume it's not been done as the person would have removed the note. Almost 2 hours pass, with the original guy deciding he wants to help someone else out, not me, and then the new guy dithering about with my new bike.
Finally, I hand over the voucher, sign on the dotted line and walk out. I proceed to sit on the bike, to cycle to the car, and the bloody tyres are half inflated! I take it back and ask why, no reason, they just smile.
Getting the bike back, riding it down the street, the chains hitting the rail adjuster in the 3rd cog (front) great! I also notice there appears to be no oil on the chain.
So, I've spend £900 on a bike, that was the last one in the store, to have it not checked at all, leave the tyres half inflated for over 2 weeks, I've got no manuals for the bike (I forgot to ask in the shop due to excitement) and it not work correctly!
A phone call to the manager will be made later today, but I feel I'm not going to get anywhere.
Sorry, just had to vent.
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 20th July 11:01
...and some bike shops wonder why a lot of us now buy straight off the internet. Threads like this make me really quite cross as customer service is all the high street shops have left as they can't compete on price. Why the hell some still don't get this is beyond me - it's hardly rocket science.
When buying a bike, one should be made to feel special, not an inconvenience to the long-haired, half-wit, who sighs in exasperation when you ask for details or a ride around the block on the 1,2,3,4k bike you're about to buy. Fortunately, where I now live I am spoilt for choice with excellent bike shops, but OP I share your pain.
When buying a bike, one should be made to feel special, not an inconvenience to the long-haired, half-wit, who sighs in exasperation when you ask for details or a ride around the block on the 1,2,3,4k bike you're about to buy. Fortunately, where I now live I am spoilt for choice with excellent bike shops, but OP I share your pain.
To be honest I should have walked away when I was concerned to begin with. When I visited the shop originally, the bike was already on show. The guy said that it was the right size, but didn't know the model. He looked at said it was a "F4", and just then and there agreed £899. I got measured on one of those jigs and he confirmed it was spot on. Now sitting on it for a ride, it feels small.
That was the alarm, you don't know what model BUT are willing to offer it for a set price? Upon getting home, I went to the website, found out it was a "F3". Thought I would be £300 quids in! The bike retails at £1200.
In reality, although I didn't want to believe it, I think I've bought the stores lemon bike (customer return or something)
That was the alarm, you don't know what model BUT are willing to offer it for a set price? Upon getting home, I went to the website, found out it was a "F3". Thought I would be £300 quids in! The bike retails at £1200.
In reality, although I didn't want to believe it, I think I've bought the stores lemon bike (customer return or something)
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 20th July 11:25
I'll make a point of saying that my LBS (Well one of them, and the biggest in the area) are only interested in the megabucks (4 figures) and that anyone who buys a hardtail isnt worth of good service or a smile. I'll not be taking my business to them again after I bought my Rockhopper there. Ive since found that there are better ones around, if not as big.
I think you should reject the bike back purely on the grounds that it's not the correct size. I wouldn't mention the other issues.
Whilst having some sympathy with you, it seems like the shop has given you a good deal on an ex-demo bike, with all that ex-demo entails. Some of your complaints, whilst understandable, are pretty trivial - put some air in the tyres yourself FFS.
If the shop wasn't making too much on the deal, they probably didn't want to put to much effort into prepping it, which was implicit in the deal you got.
What I don't understand, is why you didn't take it for a test ride the first time you saw it ?
Whilst having some sympathy with you, it seems like the shop has given you a good deal on an ex-demo bike, with all that ex-demo entails. Some of your complaints, whilst understandable, are pretty trivial - put some air in the tyres yourself FFS.
If the shop wasn't making too much on the deal, they probably didn't want to put to much effort into prepping it, which was implicit in the deal you got.
What I don't understand, is why you didn't take it for a test ride the first time you saw it ?
BOR said:
I think you should reject the bike back purely on the grounds that it's not the correct size. I wouldn't mention the other issues.
Whilst having some sympathy with you, it seems like the shop has given you a good deal on an ex-demo bike, with all that ex-demo entails. Some of your complaints, whilst understandable, are pretty trivial - put some air in the tyres yourself FFS.
If the shop wasn't making too much on the deal, they probably didn't want to put to much effort into prepping it, which was implicit in the deal you got.
What I don't understand, is why you didn't take it for a test ride the first time you saw it ?
I did put air in the tyres, the point is the TOTAL lack of effort by them. Not even putting air in the tyres? Whilst having some sympathy with you, it seems like the shop has given you a good deal on an ex-demo bike, with all that ex-demo entails. Some of your complaints, whilst understandable, are pretty trivial - put some air in the tyres yourself FFS.
If the shop wasn't making too much on the deal, they probably didn't want to put to much effort into prepping it, which was implicit in the deal you got.
What I don't understand, is why you didn't take it for a test ride the first time you saw it ?
Every sale should be treated the same. It doesn't cost them anything apart from a bloke doing the work, who otherwise will stand there doing sod all 9-5 during the week.
A test ride wasn't offered, and to be frank I wasn't that bothered. That doesn't give them an excuse to not setup a bike.
There also seems to be no definitive bike sizing guide, every site I've read is different. One site suggests only being able to have an inch clearance between the crossbar and your crotch, I could fit half a foot! But then the frame has an aggressive angle. I would need to have the saddle a fair bit high up to be able to cycle correctly.
You seem to not be bothered by things that leave a sour taste in other peoples mouths, I'm spending £1000 here, you've got to expect to pick up a working machine.
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 20th July 12:03
BOR said:
I'm saying that morally, you are 100% correct, but what happens in reallity is a different matter. You just seem to have gone about this whole deal in an odd way.
I think you should reject it and start again somewhere else.
I know, but in my haste to get a new bike and the girlfriend standing in the shop getting a bit bored I hurried. It should have been me taking half a day to goto a few shops and test a few out.I think you should reject it and start again somewhere else.
I'm going to phone the shop and talk to the manager soon. I used cyclescheme, so I'm probably going to have to go through the whole damn process to get a bike else where.
BOR said:
Some of your complaints, whilst understandable, are pretty trivial - put some air in the tyres yourself FFS.
How would you feel if you went to pick up a brand new car and it had half-inflated tyres? Why would a bike be any different?Having said that, I don't understand why the OP accepted the bike as it was in the first place.
-C- said:
What sort of bike is it? Road bike? MTB? Commuter?
Sizing is a very personal thing, for example on an MTB I would want a hell of a lot more space than an inch between my beanbag & the toptube
Mountain, Cannondale F3. If you find a pic, the crossbar is a sharpe angle, so more than most..Sizing is a very personal thing, for example on an MTB I would want a hell of a lot more space than an inch between my beanbag & the toptube
Ok, how tall are you and what size frame do you have?
It doesn't sound like its particulary small on you, I would expect an element of adjustment required on an off the peg bike regarding contact points anyway, as thats personal preference more than anything.
The other things sounds like a typical bike shop unfortunately.
It doesn't sound like its particulary small on you, I would expect an element of adjustment required on an off the peg bike regarding contact points anyway, as thats personal preference more than anything.
The other things sounds like a typical bike shop unfortunately.
For a mountain bike - and one to be used off road - you do need the crotch clearance. I'd say three inches is plenty. Six-inches seems a lot though as that would mean 350mm plus of seatpost sticking out of the frame which is silly.
Doesn't sound like a good experience at all. Personally, I would have said 'What time is it going to be ready and I'll come back' but that doesn't excuse it not being properly prep'd before you arrived.
How tall are you and what size is the frame?
Doesn't sound like a good experience at all. Personally, I would have said 'What time is it going to be ready and I'll come back' but that doesn't excuse it not being properly prep'd before you arrived.
How tall are you and what size is the frame?
as someone else said, this is why many people now use the internet and wont go near their local bike store. i am convinved bristol has the most uptight, arrogant and useless bike shop staff in the country.
as for sizing, there is no definitive guide because everyone is different, two people can be six foot tall but have different leg measurements, hence they will most likely ride different size bikes. the only way you can truly tell is by riding it.
i dont think you bought an ex demo bike or a lemon, just one that was most likely a monday morning bike that wasnt 100% put together well.
air in the tyres is a basic thing, not the end of the world but if i was manager and the bike went out like that i wouldnt be impressed. a bike should never leave a shop with poorly indexed gears athough.
yes, you should have gone for a test ride, as you say its £1000 you are spending and nothing should rush you, grumpy girlfriend or otherwise...
as for sizing, there is no definitive guide because everyone is different, two people can be six foot tall but have different leg measurements, hence they will most likely ride different size bikes. the only way you can truly tell is by riding it.
i dont think you bought an ex demo bike or a lemon, just one that was most likely a monday morning bike that wasnt 100% put together well.
air in the tyres is a basic thing, not the end of the world but if i was manager and the bike went out like that i wouldnt be impressed. a bike should never leave a shop with poorly indexed gears athough.
yes, you should have gone for a test ride, as you say its £1000 you are spending and nothing should rush you, grumpy girlfriend or otherwise...
Im 5'11", frame is a medium, so its classed as a 17".
My professional fitting report (that they didnt let me see until I bought the bike) says I need a 48cm frame, so a large. With the seat at its lowest I can probably see 20cm of the post, but I am hardly stretching my legs.
Bit over exposed, was a quickie between rain! The saddle is at its lowest
My professional fitting report (that they didnt let me see until I bought the bike) says I need a 48cm frame, so a large. With the seat at its lowest I can probably see 20cm of the post, but I am hardly stretching my legs.
pablo said:
as someone else said, this is why many people now use the internet and wont go near their local bike store. i am convinved bristol has the most uptight, arrogant and useless bike shop staff in the country.
as for sizing, there is no definitive guide because everyone is different, two people can be six foot tall but have different leg measurements, hence they will most likely ride different size bikes. the only way you can truly tell is by riding it.
i dont think you bought an ex demo bike or a lemon, just one that was most likely a monday morning bike that wasnt 100% put together well.
air in the tyres is a basic thing, not the end of the world but if i was manager and the bike went out like that i wouldnt be impressed. a bike should never leave a shop with poorly indexed gears athough.
yes, you should have gone for a test ride, as you say its £1000 you are spending and nothing should rush you, grumpy girlfriend or otherwise...
I'm trying to think of it like this. And I can sort the gearing out myself with some tweaking, so apart from that all is good. I am taking the angle I got a £1200 bike for £900, so this hassle is my payback.as for sizing, there is no definitive guide because everyone is different, two people can be six foot tall but have different leg measurements, hence they will most likely ride different size bikes. the only way you can truly tell is by riding it.
i dont think you bought an ex demo bike or a lemon, just one that was most likely a monday morning bike that wasnt 100% put together well.
air in the tyres is a basic thing, not the end of the world but if i was manager and the bike went out like that i wouldnt be impressed. a bike should never leave a shop with poorly indexed gears athough.
yes, you should have gone for a test ride, as you say its £1000 you are spending and nothing should rush you, grumpy girlfriend or otherwise...
Bit over exposed, was a quickie between rain! The saddle is at its lowest
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 20th July 15:24
Edited by illmonkey on Monday 20th July 15:24
I'm 6ft 1" and I rode a 17.5" Cove, or a Medium. Wouldn't want to ride anything bigger, as I prefer the feel of a slightly smaller frame. Makes it easier to move about.
I would have thought you are on the crossover of an M & L being that height, so it would be down to preference more than anything.
I wouldn't say the frame is overly small for your height though
I would have thought you are on the crossover of an M & L being that height, so it would be down to preference more than anything.
I wouldn't say the frame is overly small for your height though
Unless you have stupidly disproportionate limbs the frame should be fine. As said yo maybe on the cusp between frame sizes. IMO I'd prefer the smaller mtb frame if I were on the cusp.
Don't understand your sentence about the seatpost though. I'll assume what you mean is that at the 'minimum insertion' mark on the post there is only 200mm sticking out. This implies it's a 280 - 300mm long item.
Seatposts come in a lot of lengths - Thomson do a 440mm long one that gives 360mm of exposed post - so if the seat post is too short there are longer ones available. Although, they should have sat you on the bike and set up the saddle height for you.
This does sound a terrible experiance though. One that does nothing for the industry.
Don't understand your sentence about the seatpost though. I'll assume what you mean is that at the 'minimum insertion' mark on the post there is only 200mm sticking out. This implies it's a 280 - 300mm long item.
Seatposts come in a lot of lengths - Thomson do a 440mm long one that gives 360mm of exposed post - so if the seat post is too short there are longer ones available. Although, they should have sat you on the bike and set up the saddle height for you.
This does sound a terrible experiance though. One that does nothing for the industry.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff