lidl bike problem

chiavenna · 13-10-2009 9:14pm #1

I bought a LIDL bike a few months ago. You have to put the left crank on yourself..instructions are to grease it and tighten to it to a certain measurement. Mugs here didn't have grease and hand tightened it. Now its started creaking badly. Bike shop don't want to know about it..

Any tips?

niceonetom · 13-10-2009 9:18pm

Take it to a better bike shop.

13-10-2009 9:21pm

I know you know but wow, major **** up.

Maybe ring around a few different bike shops? I'd imagine it'd be tough to open it up though.

Morgan · 13-10-2009 9:56pm

Doesn't sound like a big deal - cranks often creak when they're loose or not greased.

Just take the left crank arm off, grease the spindles and tighten everything u to spec. You'll find good instructions on http://www.parktool.com.

sy · 13-10-2009 10:01pm

chiavenna wrote: »

I bought a LIDL bike a few months ago........... Bike shop don't want
to know about it..
Any tips?

Can't understand a business turning down business in these recession times

As niceonetom says find a shop that will gladly take your money.

chiavenna · 13-10-2009 10:14pm

Will any type of grease do - ie is regular chain lube ok for this? Also any hints on how tight should it be?

niceonetom · 13-10-2009 10:23pm

chiavenna wrote: »

Will any type of grease do - ie is regular chain lube ok for this? Also any hints on how tight should it be?

If you're asking questions like that you shouldn't be doing this yourself. Seriously, take it to a proper bike shop.

Edit: Sorry, I don't mean to be condescending. Hollowtech cranks require specialised tools to be assembled properly. A torque wrench, a thing to remove the plastic star end cap that loads the bearings, and possibly a BB tool too if that turns out to be the problem.

chiavenna · 13-10-2009 10:27pm

Fair comment. Worth spending a few bob rather than f--k it up

coolbeans · 13-10-2009 11:59pm

I bought a LIDL bike and it came fully assembled. Don't know why you didn't have a crank fitted. It's a bit rich the bike shops not wanting to do business with you too. Brought mine for a tune up and the guy says he didn't want to touch it. I gave this crowd six weeks to source me a bike and they couldn't do it so I got impatient and bought from the Germans. Haven't regretted it either. Another bike shop in town sorted the tuning for me no bother. Why? Because he couldn't get me a bike either but wasn't rude or shortsighted enough to turn down business. I know which shop I'll be recommending to all my buddies. Dog in the manger springs to mind when I think of the first shop. :rolleyes:

Hungrycol · 14-10-2009 8:05am

sy wrote: »

Can't understand a business turning down business in these recession times

This is a bumper year for bike shops with the bike to work scheme.

Captain Havoc · 14-10-2009 8:23am

I also have a lidl bike, no problems from my lbs, they know I spend quite a lot of money with them anyway.

sibyrne · 14-10-2009 9:37am

This is a 2 second job. The main reason the left hand crank of a 2 piece crank creaks is because the two allen key bolts are not tight enough. A ultegra 2 piece crank would come pre greased. I pressume that the guys putting it on in the first place didn't have a clue. So the allen key bolts are probably rounded out. This is also quite common with ultegra 2 piece cranks. bring it to a Bike shop they can do it for you in a few seconds.

DIY is not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Acoustic · 14-10-2009 10:27am

chiavenna wrote: »

I bought a LIDL bike a few months ago. You have to put the left crank on yourself..instructions are to grease it and tighten to it to a certain measurement. Mugs here didn't have grease and hand tightened it. Now its started creaking badly. Bike shop don't want to know about it..

Any tips?

loads of shops dont want anything to do with them , piles of sh1te

some shops will do it

fook out the frame and get a new one , as the ultegra is the only good part on em

ednwireland · 14-10-2009 10:30am

Acoustic wrote: »

loads of shops dont want anything to do with them , piles of sh1te

some shops will do it

fook out the frame and get a new one , as the ultegra is the only good part on em

he's not got a problem with the frame !!!!!!!!!!
acoustic = broken record

Chips Lovell · 14-10-2009 10:30am

Acoustic wrote: »

loads of shops dont want anything to do with them , piles of sh1te

Which shops?

Acoustic wrote: »

fook out the frame and get a new one , as the ultegra is the only good part on em

It's his Ultegra cranks, not the frame that are the problem.

alfalad · 14-10-2009 10:31am

Acoustic wrote: »

loads of shops dont want anything to do with them , piles of sh1te

some shops will do it

fook out the frame and get a new one , as the ultegra is the only good part on em

Frame is not the problem, the ultegra crank is as it wasn't put on properly.

Captain Havoc · 14-10-2009 10:40am

Timmah! · 14-10-2009 11:14am

At least he's consistent....

DirkVoodoo · 14-10-2009 11:21am

I agree, clearly the Ultegra cranks were so disgusted to be put on a Lidl frame that they simply tried to jump off and commit seppuku at the first opportunity.

Tightening them won't do any good, they will only suffer from "metal depression" and try it again. You could try talking to them, but I think the only real solution is to buy some Paganini ice cream and lather it onto the frame.

Acoustic · 14-10-2009 11:23am

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I agree, clearly the Ultegra cranks were so disgusted to be put on a Lidl frame that they simply tried to jump off and commit seppuku at the first opportunity.

Tightening them won't do any good, they will only suffer from "metal depression" and try it again. You could try talking to them, but I think the only real solution is to buy some Paganini ice cream and lather it onto the frame.

that stuffs very popular

DirkVoodoo · 14-10-2009 11:25am

Tasty too.

chiavenna · 14-10-2009 8:34pm

cheers still can't figure out why the shop wouldn't fix it if its only a 2 second job to tighten the bolts

apart from this very happy with the lidl bike, though i cant really see the difference between the ultrega and 105 shifters

osnola ibax · 14-10-2009 8:44pm

Paganini make lovely cakes aswell, they have a range of cheese cakes called "yummy" and believe me they are, could try lathering some of that on aswell

Quigs Snr · 14-10-2009 9:00pm

OP, this is no big deal, its not a problem with the bike, its not a problem with your BB or cranks. You just simply did not do what you were supposed to do. Not the end of the world, we all take shortcuts.

Assuming you can get the crank off. Get yourself some Lithium Grease. Apply directly to the threads in the bottom bracket shell (be sure to clear out any dirt, grit or metal shavings in the threads). Tighten the cups to the correct torgue (don't remember but its around 40lbs of pressure. Basically tighten them a lot.

Problem solved. Failing that for a bike shop its a 5 minute job. Ignore the place that won't do it, when the rush for this bike scheme dies down they will be kissing your ass and rolling out a red carpet for your Lidl bike (just like they would have done this time a year ago).

Super Freak · 14-10-2009 9:15pm

Agree with Quiggs above,

Alternatively, if you don't have hands to wipe your *** Contact Mr Skeffington through the boards here and pay him to do it, and fine tune your head race, gears, etc. (Like a first service).

Kieran

lidl bike problem

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