Bike Problem (Not sure what it is exactly)

Hey guys,

Just before I start off, I'm no expert cyclist who does marathons or anything like that (unlike, im sure, most of you). However, I assume all bikes are built similarly and with that in mind, I have a question if anyone can help me.


I bought a mountain bike from Halfords a while back. I'd been meaning ot get one and my brother bought one there as it was on sale and didn't seem like a bad looking bike. When he told me about it i told him to get me one too. The bike is a "Trax Sirocco" if that is of any use to anyone.


Anyway, got the bike and didn't really use it (wasn't of any use to me at the time, i was buying it for when i have free time to spin about on). So i got on it about two weeks ago for the first time and when cycling on it, if i have to cycle hard on it or apply a fair bit of pressure on the pedals (ie; cycling uphill) every few seconds, the pedals will slip forward (as if someone has just removed the chain for a split second). I put it down to the bike being new (despite never coming across this problem before) and went on with my life.

Last week, i went out on it again, and same problem again. I got pretty pissed off. My brother was having the same problem (same bike) and he brought it back to Halfords to get them to take a look at it. I wasn't there so i don't know what they did to it, but it's back to the way it was.


After hearing of him not getting any luck with Halfords, I decided to bring mine to a small shop called Quay Cycles down the road from me earlier today. I bought my last bike there a few years ago and never had a problem with it. They reckoned it was the chain that was the problem. Not knowing about bikes, I agreed he'd know better than me and i went off for an hour whilst they stuck a new chain on it (and some mudguards, as i hadn't got any). I got the bike off them and it seemed fine whilst i was on it. The pedals slipping wasn't happening much when i was on it, but it did happen two or three times. As much of an improvement as this is, i can tell that it will only be a matter of time before it's back to the way it started.


So with that in mind, I put this to you guys. Have you got any idea what it could be? I'm thinking of bringing it back to Halford's tomorrow to see if they can do anything with it (i have the bike about 6 weeks now, and they said when i bought it that i should bring it back to them about 6 weeks after I buy it so they can look over it for whatever reason).

So yeah.. has anyone encountered a similar problem, or can anyone advise me on what to do here at all. I don't know anything about bikes, and I don't want to start spending a fortune being manipulated by every shop i go to.


Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out here.

Gavin

Unfortunately, and not being snobby, but this is a very cheap bike and is liable to such problems. They are sometimes referred to as Bicycle Shaped Objects. Have a read of http://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/

It's an article by experienced bike mechanics describing the various problems with such bikes.

It might be an idea to return the bike and ask for your money back. If you don't want to spend much, something like this doesn't cost a huge amount more and will be more reliable. It's still a very cheap bike though.

Regarding the specific problem, they sound like chancers changing your chain. Chains are changed after a lot of use because they get worn and misshapen. You clearly hadn't cycled it enough to warrant such wear. It could be gear alignment, or frame flex, or really any number of things with a cheap frame.

uberwolf

could it be (and I'm posing this question for other regulars, and not the OP) tension in the rear derailleur? or moreover, lack thereof and it's slackening forward before springing back?

Gavin

Gavin wrote: »

Unfortunately, and not being snobby, but this is a very cheap bike and is liable to such problems. They are sometimes referred to as Bicycle Shaped Objects. Have a read of http://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/

It's an article by experienced bike mechanics describing the various problems with such bikes.

It might be an idea to return the bike and ask for your money back. If you don't want to spend much, something like this doesn't cost a huge amount more and will be more reliable. It's still a very cheap bike though.

Regarding the specific problem, they sound like chancers changing your chain. Chains are changed after a lot of use because they get worn and misshapen. You clearly hadn't cycled it enough to warrant such wear. It could be gear alignment, or frame flex, or really any number of things with a cheap frame.

As much as I'd love to bring it back to them, and walk out with a refund, I really don't see that happening, no matter how adamant i were to be.

I bought the bike almost two months ago, brought it to a different store to have the chain replaced (which I assume voids any warranty it may have had), had mudguards fitted, and only now i return it looking for a refund?

I really don't see them entertaining me at all.

CheGuedara

uberwolf wrote: »

could it be (and I'm posing this question for other regulars, and not the OP) tension in the rear derailleur? or moreover, lack thereof and it's slackening forward before springing back?

Yeah, could def be it. Sounds like the kinda thing that might happen if the chain was too long.

Maybe given that it's happening under pressure through the drivechain when climbing - possibly a crappy freewheel mechanism thats not engaging properly for whatever reason?

Well I was just out on the bike again to see if the new chain made any real difference. Apparently not. Was cycling along a footpath and the pedals slipped, causing my left leg to come off the pedal altogether and onto the ground. I practically ended up doing a 180 degree turn kind of movement and out onto the road. Luckily I wasn't moving too fast and there were very few cars. The closest one to me had a few feet of lee-way and swerved to avoid me.


Can anyone tell me what Halfords' return policy is on bikes?

Lumen

Deleted User wrote: »

As much as I'd love to bring it back to them, and walk out with a refund, I really don't see that happening, no matter how adamant i were to be.

I bought the bike almost two months ago, brought it to a different store to have the chain replaced (which I assume voids any warranty it may have had), had mudguards fitted, and only now i return it looking for a refund?

I really don't see them entertaining me at all.

You should at least try.

If Halfords can't make the bike rideable then the bike is not fit for purpose and should be refunded. The attentions of the other shop are irrelevant unlesss Halfords can prove that that work contributed (permanently) to the problem, in the face of evidence to the contrary.

It's like buying a car at a franchised BMW dealer and taking it to an independent to fix. It doesn't affect the warranty unless the independent provably screwed something up.

Sounds to me like something cassette-related, but I'm not a mechanic.

72hundred

Deleted User wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what Halfords' return policy is on bikes?

It doesn't matter a bit what Halford's policy is - just go in and demand and full refund. What you're describing is nuts! (no pun intended)

• fit for its normal purpose, and reasonably durable

http://www.consumerassociation.ie/rights_knowrights.html

Chips Lovell

Could be the casette or could be the bottom bracket.

But really I'd just go in and ask for my money back.

kona

Deleted User wrote: »

Hey guys,

Just before I start off, I'm no expert cyclist who does marathons or anything like that (unlike, im sure, most of you). However, I assume all bikes are built similarly and with that in mind, I have a question if anyone can help me.


I bought a mountain bike from Halfords a while back. I'd been meaning ot get one and my brother bought one there as it was on sale and didn't seem like a bad looking bike. When he told me about it i told him to get me one too. The bike is a "Trax Sirocco" if that is of any use to anyone.


Anyway, got the bike and didn't really use it (wasn't of any use to me at the time, i was buying it for when i have free time to spin about on). So i got on it about two weeks ago for the first time and when cycling on it, if i have to cycle hard on it or apply a fair bit of pressure on the pedals (ie; cycling uphill) every few seconds, the pedals will slip forward (as if someone has just removed the chain for a split second). I put it down to the bike being new (despite never coming across this problem before) and went on with my life.

Last week, i went out on it again, and same problem again. I got pretty pissed off. My brother was having the same problem (same bike) and he brought it back to Halfords to get them to take a look at it. I wasn't there so i don't know what they did to it, but it's back to the way it was.


After hearing of him not getting any luck with Halfords, I decided to bring mine to a small shop called Quay Cycles down the road from me earlier today. I bought my last bike there a few years ago and never had a problem with it. They reckoned it was the chain that was the problem. Not knowing about bikes, I agreed he'd know better than me and i went off for an hour whilst they stuck a new chain on it (and some mudguards, as i hadn't got any). I got the bike off them and it seemed fine whilst i was on it. The pedals slipping wasn't happening much when i was on it, but it did happen two or three times. As much of an improvement as this is, i can tell that it will only be a matter of time before it's back to the way it started.


So with that in mind, I put this to you guys. Have you got any idea what it could be? I'm thinking of bringing it back to Halford's tomorrow to see if they can do anything with it (i have the bike about 6 weeks now, and they said when i bought it that i should bring it back to them about 6 weeks after I buy it so they can look over it for whatever reason).

So yeah.. has anyone encountered a similar problem, or can anyone advise me on what to do here at all. I don't know anything about bikes, and I don't want to start spending a fortune being manipulated by every shop i go to.


Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me out here.

thats your freewheel and not your chain thats causing that:rolleyes:

halfords offer a free service for 3 months after purchse, that situation is a warranty 100%. Just go in and hget it done under warranty, if they bull**** you just ask for the manager and explain, Im sure if your brothers bike is the same, there is a issue with this part on the bikes.

EDIT just saw you got a chain replaced at another bike shop:

In this case you have given halfords a reason not to cover the bike under warranty as, no bike shop will honour a warranty unless all work is carried out buy them so if i was you:

1) back to quay cycle to get a refund as even a "teenage mechanic" should have been able to diagnose you problem as a freewheel issue. Never going to be a chain on a new bike and if they were any good they would have solved the issue by doing the standard repair of freewheel/chain at the same time.

2) Back to halfords and get it done under warranty(dont say youve gone elsewhere), I guarantee you that that is a warranty issue.


About people shouting refund, Your not entitled to a refund, Your entitled to a repair. Never go into a bike shop shouting for a refund, you wont get anywhere. Go in and ask for a repair and be nice you will get the issue solved.

irishmotorist

I hope that the simplest solution isn't being overlooked here. It seems from what you say that you haven't used it that much - only a couple of weeks or so of use. In that case, it could be cable stretch for your derailleur or (if you're not so experienced with bikes) bad gear selection.

The cables (brake and gear) stretch initially with use and need to be adjusted. As it's stretched, the cable is longer than it originally was so the lever will need more of a pull to move the derailleur by the same distance, which throws the indexing out. If you can prop the bike up or either put it upside down, try pedalling slowly and seeing how the chain appears to be sitting on the sprockets at the back. Does it seem to be jumping or half sliding off before correcting itself? Check it through the range of gears too. If that's the case, there'll be a small nut somewhere along the gear cable - either at the shifter or at the derailleur that will allow you to tighten/loosen the cable.

The other thing that could contribute somewhat to this is using crossover gears (combined with the above problem). It's a bad idea to use the inside ring on the front and the outside sprocket on the back as it puts the chain at a steep angle. If you're sitting on the bike and look down, you'll see the chain is being pulled at an angle. What I do, is try to keep the chain as straight as possible - so if you have a triple ring on the front and, say 8 on the back,

1. Use the big ring on the front with the smallest 4 on the back.
2. Use the middle ring with the middle 5 or 6 on the back.
3. Use the small ring with the biggest 4 on the back.

Not only is this keeping the chain straighter but makes sense for cycling. Scenario 1 above is for going fast, scenario 2 is for medium stuff and scenario 3 if for going up hills.

pburns

If it's not fit for the purpose it was designed for then consumer law would seem to be on your side. In reality it's gonna be hassle proving it's unrideable and 'unfit fior purpose' especially if they've successfully sold 10 zillion of them. With all due respect you bought pretty much on a whim and neither yourself or brother did any research.

Instead of a refund how about sticking your heels in and demanding an exchange for a Carrera (maybe the best 'cheap' bike brand out there)?

thebouldwhacker

Hi KKV, I'm interested to know how you get on so please keep us posted.

Cheers and best of luck.

(Be careful cycling until it gets sorted, the last thing you need is to fall off the bike in front of an on coming bus etc)

Lumen

pburns wrote: »

If it's not fit for the purpose it was designed for then consumer law would seem to be on your side. In reality it's gonna be hassle proving it's unrideable and 'unfit fior purpose' especially if they've successfully sold 10 zillion of them. With all due respect you bought pretty much on a whim and neither yourself or brother did any research.

The whole point of bike shops is that you shouldn't need to do research - everything should be fit for a purpose.

No experience in Ireland, but a friend in the UK ordered a Sony laptop with a flexy chassis which caused the keyboard to mark the screen when folded. After brief (and unproductive) correspondence with the dealer (not Sony), he threatened the small claims court and the dealer immediately backed down and gave a full refund.

I think the system is similar here.

thebouldwhacker

http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/Get_Your_Rights/


http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/consumer-affairs

Also these. or ring /call to the citizens info office near you

Right, I was out and about on the bike today, and it seemed to be pretty fine. This is leading me to believe that, whilst i can't be fully sure of this and I'm only speculating, it could be an issue with the gears.

I'm going to ring Halfords and bring it up to them (I've had it about six weeks now, and when I bought it they said to return it six weeks later so they can look over it). I'll thoroughly explain the problem to them. After they take a look at it, I'll try it out for a day or two. If the problem persists, then I'll bring it to them again to fix it.

If, after two repairs, they don't fix the issue, I'll ask for a refund. I won't accept a replacement or repair. I'll buy a different bike elsewhere.


I really wish I didn't have this problem though. Despite the bike being pretty inexpensive and it's probably complete crap compared to most other bikes out there, I've never been too picky with them, and I actually quite like it (aside from this problem with it obviously).

thebouldwhacker

Bikes like that are pretty straight forward, they either work or they dont.
Sadly your bike fits into the 'dont work' catagory so bring it back and say 'hi,I bought a bicycle off you to cycle, I paid you money for this, it doesn't work, please make it work'.
Tell them whats wrong and if the problem isnt resolved unleash the type of hell only allowable from someone who posts here... ie, endless haressment on faults that become more specific every time you go back to them.

Pretty soon they'll realise their error and sort it...

Job done
(If not please see the consumer rights sites aforementioned)
Keep us posted;)

Brought it up to Halfords and they took my contact info and said they'd get back to me during the week.



I've been messing about with it more (and my brother has been playing about with his bike, too) and it seems the gears are the issue. The pedals only seem to slip when in certain gears, and when i want to bring it to the smallest cog at the front of the chain, it really gives me a hard time waiting for it to change.

There's obviously an issues with changing gears on it, so I'll say that to them when they take it off me and see if they can do anything worthwhile with it.


(I know this post doesn't really say anything new or exciting, but I just wanted you all to know I havent't forgotten about the thread and will update it when something worthwhile happens. I'm hoping for a happy ending to this, as I quite like the bike).