My first bike, Specialized Globe 61. Opinions please

KStaford

Just bought my first bike - "Specialized Globe 61" from Kearneys in Galway today. I went for it because it fit me really well (I'm 6'5"). Also liked the derailer spec and the suspension saddle. Kearneys kitted it out with everything - mud-gaurds, bottle, front and rear lights, puncture kit and speedometer and gave me a great price (I think).

Took it for a 20k spin tonght. It jumps in 2nd 3rd and 4th gears (rear), particularly in 3rd - it seems to jump in and out of 4th. This bothers me and is a bit dangerous. You're putting a bit of pressure on the pedals and all of a sudden BANG! I'd hate to be standing up on the pedals when that **** happens. Is this fixable? Is it a matter of calibration?
(The rear derailer is a Shimano Acera 8 cog, the bike is a 24 speed)

Many thanks for any advice or opinion on the bike

Morgan

Sounds like the gears just need adjusting - drop it back to the shop.

KStaford

thanks Morgan, I been watching a few vids on ewetoob showing how to calibrate derailers, I made a few minor adjustments to the cable tension and it has improved the fault. But I'll take it back to the shop anyways and watch them do it right.

Is it a good bike tho? Have I bought something reasonably decent or not ?

petethedrummer

Most bike shops give you the first service for free, so drop it back for a tune up. Make sure you tell them exactly whats wrong.

KStaford

I was back in with them today, they adjusted the derailer and its ok now, slight rubbing on the extreme gears but livable. They also said that the wheel had buckled somewhat and they adjusted that via spoke tension. Is this normal in new bikes? (I'm 17.5 stone wgt)

Colmhayden76

Yea it's totaly natural for a new bike .My lbs always twell people to bring it back after 1 month as things like the cables stretch and wheels lose truing.
Having said that, If there is constant tweeks needed I'd find out was it pre assembled or did the shop do it. My sepcialized was a shop demo model and I had to get the spokes trued repeatedly.I know that spesh flat pack their bikes and in the shop it would take a good mechanic about 15 to 25 minutes to assemble the bike properly (eg lubing the cables etc). If it was just put together and left on a shelf for a few weeks that could be your trouble there.
At the end of the day , You shelled out the cash on a new bike and you should have a perfectably servicable bike. If not go back to the shop and ask them to fully check every thing. The Globe is a tough bike and I doubt you buckled a wheel , I'd say it is more likly a loose spoke.Check them after each ride by trying to flex them with your finger.If it moves get it sorted. And if it loosens again give out.
By the By have people had problems with the shop supplied spesh wheels EG ( Sirus,Allez and Globe) loosing true or was it just me and my cursed luck?

DBCyc

KStaford wrote: »

Is it a good bike tho? Have I bought something reasonably decent or not ?

Yeah I had one a couple of years ago and found it a great bike as a first commuter. Very comfy and nippy around the streets.

It actually got me hooked on cycling and since I have bought a road bike for weekend spins and I eventually replaced the globe with a fixie for commuting

KStaford

thanks everyone for the replies

niceonetom

looks to be a good bike - theif magnet though so invest in a big fcuk off lock. The boys love specialized. Kryptonite New york or something similar i'd recommend.

It's a good idea to get used to being able to adjust the gears yourself too. It's not hard once you understand the principle of the thing.

Happy trails.

DBCyc

niceonetom wrote: »

theif magnet though so invest in a big fcuk off lock. The boys love specialized.

+1 I would recommend a U-lock and a chain lock combined.

KStaford

DBCyc wrote: »

+1 I would recommend a U-lock and a chain lock combined.

I can't imagine I will ever leave my bike locked in a public place. I am using it for evening spins so its always with me. I did get a medium weight combination lock with it tho.

DBCyc, are there any photos of the setup you suggest? or can you describe how you combine the two?

KStaford

niceonetom wrote: »

looks to be a good bike - theif magnet though so invest in a big fcuk off lock. The boys love specialized. Kryptonite New york or something similar i'd recommend.

It's a good idea to get used to being able to adjust the gears yourself too. It's not hard once you understand the principle of the thing.

Happy trails.

thanks niceonetom,
yea its a great video, I actually watched it last night along with many others on the tube. Watched it again just now. He's very clear and its very well filmed.

DBCyc

KStaford wrote: »

DBCyc, are there any photos of the setup you suggest? or can you describe how you combine the two?

I use a combination of this u-lock and this chain lock. If some scummer wants to rob it, he would probably need a seperate tool to remove each lock or a high powered angle grinder.

It won't make your bike thief-proof, but it will deter the feckers from trying to get their hands on it.




Regarding technique, I do this ^^ with the u-lock...and then I wrap the chain around the frame, back wheel and bike stand.

KStaford

DBCyc wrote: »

I use a combination of this u-lock and this chain lock. If some scummer wants to rob it, he would probably need a seperate tool to remove each lock or a high powered angle grinder.

It won't make your bike thief-proof, but it will deter the feckers from trying to get their hands on it.




Regarding technique, I do this ^^ with the u-lock...and then I wrap the chain around the frame, back wheel and bike stand.

so your front wheel is still totally vulnerable (especially if its a qr) ?

DBCyc

KStaford wrote: »

so your front wheel is still totally vulnerable (especially if its a qr) ?

Mines not a QR, so I am not to worried about it. If it is a QR, you could wrap the chain lock around it or take it off, place it beside the rear wheel and wrap the chain lock around both wheels, the frame and the bike stand.

Alternatively you can a cable (I am not sure how stong these are) to tie your front wheel to the U-lock.

You could also get locking skewers to replace any QR skewers on the wheels and seatpost clamp.