Advice on whether to return new bike?

frogstar

Hi there

Only new to cycling and picked up a giant liv bike 2 weeks ago from shop for a €1k under the bike to work scheme.

I researched a lot and was happy with this spec for my budget / need

However since I picked it up there has been a rattle that is there on 80% of the ride (only gone when on super smooth road so that's the 20%!) I brought it back 3 times as it was so annoying. I really dreaded getting on it due to the sound (had been riding a 300 euro bike for the previous 4 weeks with no issue). I don't think the shop really believed there was a problem and tried small things that didn't work)

On Thurs I got so annoyed that I said I'm bringing it back on sat (yesterday) and if the noise is not gone I want it replaced. Well my tone made the bike shop call a rep in giant who confirmed they've had some bikes back because of this and it is a known problem in this particular model. Basically the cables on the top tube were knocking about and making the noise.

Bike shop took it in yesterday and on advice from giant used cable ties at front and back and it also looks like some cable ties were stuffed in the hole on the top tube.

I did the 50k meath cycle today so needed it back and it was a good chance tho see if bit worked.

The irritating noise was gone, there was a small rattle but nothing too serious or off putting

Now, what is annoying me is that while the problem "seems" to have gone away, i'm not too happy that after paying a grand for the bike I've had this issue and that it was fixed by stuffing somethING down the tube. It kinda feels like damaged goods to me.

I've been told that I can replace it (not sure for same one or a diff model - interestingly I viewed the same bike in Dublin and it had the same problem so I do think it is a flaw with this model)

Sorry for long winded post.any advice on whether I should look at a different bike esp while I have the warranty?

Thanks

omri

I would bring it back - having zip ties stuffed in the top tube to fix the issue would annoy me. If its the design issue then let them have it back and get different bike. In the end its your money.

listermint

Buddy has a giant defy with the same issue.I couldn't live with it and you shouldn't have to. Sure its entry level but 1000 euro is alot of money

frogstar

If it happens 6-12 months down the line I don't think I'd mind as much but it's brand new.

The main reason I went with giant was 1) brakes on handle bar which I found a big plus as a new road cyclist) and 2) female specific though I'm not sure of there is any difference on this.

It's the giant avail 2 I have. I was going for the avail 3 but as there was less than 100e in price they sold me to upgrade. The avail 1 is an extra 200, not sure i want to pay more

iwillhtfu

Why not bring it back and try a different model that doesn't have the brake cable routed through the top tube. The defy has an external cable routing afaik. Also I know a few women cyclists and I don;t think any of them have women specific bikes they'd be more concerned that it fits properly.

Definitely bring it back though sounds like they've bodged together a temporary fix.

youtheman

I've just changed from a carbon frame with external cabling to an carbon frame with internal cabling. The only downside of the latter is the fact that it is very hard to secure the internal cable and stop it from rattling. And that's a simple fact. The only 'solution' I know of is the use of cable ties to force the cable up against one side of the tube wall. Believe it or not, the manufacturers of my new bike (over 3 grand) recommended I remove the front fork and put a piece of foam down the tube!!!!.

I was cycling with a clubmate this weekend and there was an deafening noise from his internal cabling. His bike has been back to the supplier several times but still no solution.

iwillhtfu

There is a (sort of) solution if you pick up some form of rubber or soft plastic tubing and run it down in through the eyelet it ads a bit of insulation between the frame and the cable outer. Obviously you'll need to disconnect brake cables and pull them back out through the top tube. My bike seems to have allowed for this issue by having a similar housing installed during manufacturer and secured at either eyelet.

day walker101

A quick fixer upper works fine but as its a new bike you shouldn't have to resort to this. Request a new bike under warranty. Its your new bike and you should be enjoying it not dreading every spin.

Bloggsie

frogstar wrote: »

Hi there

Only new to cycling and picked up a giant liv bike 2 weeks ago from shop for a €1k under the bike to work scheme.

I researched a lot and was happy with this spec for my budget / need

However since I picked it up there has been a rattle that is there on 80% of the ride (only gone when on super smooth road so that's the 20%!) I brought it back 3 times as it was so annoying. I really dreaded getting on it due to the sound (had been riding a 300 euro bike for the previous 4 weeks with no issue). I don't think the shop really believed there was a problem and tried small things that didn't work)

On Thurs I got so annoyed that I said I'm bringing it back on sat (yesterday) and if the noise is not gone I want it replaced. Well my tone made the bike shop call a rep in giant who confirmed they've had some bikes back because of this and it is a known problem in this particular model. Basically the cables on the top tube were knocking about and making the noise.

Bike shop took it in yesterday and on advice from giant used cable ties at front and back and it also looks like some cable ties were stuffed in the hole on the top tube.

I did the 50k meath cycle today so needed it back and it was a good chance tho see if bit worked.

The irritating noise was gone, there was a small rattle but nothing too serious or off putting

Now, what is annoying me is that while the problem "seems" to have gone away, i'm not too happy that after paying a grand for the bike I've had this issue and that it was fixed by stuffing somethING down the tube. It kinda feels like damaged goods to me.

I've been told that I can replace it (not sure for same one or a diff model - interestingly I viewed the same bike in Dublin and it had the same problem so I do think it is a flaw with this model)

Sorry for long winded post.any advice on whether I should look at a different bike esp while I have the warranty?

Thanks

for a €1000 new bike to have a rattle & the "repair" would seem to be a bit of a bodge job, my advice would be to take it back and get a different bike for up to the same value, if you paid for a new TV & it was stuck on mute all the time you wouldnt think twice about bringing it back!

saccades

It's a well known issue on internally routed bikes (brakes/gears/hydro), 2-3 zipties is an easy solution that weighs nothing and you cannot see.

I can't see the problem - bike made noise, bike no longer makes noise. Still pedals the same and has smooth frame lines due to internally routed stuff.

As for a replacement bike over this - all the shop will do is put the zip ties on the new one before you get it.

ted1

saccades wrote: »

It's a well known issue on internally routed bikes (brakes/gears/hydro), 2-3 zipties is an easy solution that weighs nothing and you cannot see.

I can't see the problem - bike made noise, bike no longer makes noise. Still pedals the same and has smooth frame lines due to internally routed stuff.

As for a replacement bike over this - all the shop will do is put the zip ties on the new one before you get it.

No problem with cube bikes, they have internal cables