Broken pedal arm???

[Naadir]

Hi guys,

 

last year October i decided to start off mountain biking, i walk into a well known store and after speaking to a sales guy i decided on a Silverback Spectra Comp 29" it seemed to be the best in a entry level category, ever since purchasing i've did 2 trail rides and about 14 rides from lansdowne to retreat (work to home) and it stood for the whole month of January. A week back on my way home the pedal starts feeling funny and then the arm where the pedal is attached to (crank?) comes off!  i called the store and explained to them what had happened and the guy tells me its negligence as i never serviced the bike therefore the repairs would be for my account. 

All i'd like to know is what are the chances of that specific bolt actually coming out? and how often does one service a bike for the above mentioned use? 

 

[Veebee]

If it's crank arm then possibly due to incorrect installation by the shop... Also on a new bike, you need to have it checked after a few days of riding just to make sure that all bolts are torqued correctly so this doesn't happen.

[popcorn_skollie]

Dick move on the stores behalf.

 

The decent thing to say would have been:

Bring it in, I'm sure its just a loose crank bolt.

 

I doubt your crank has any real damage. The only real concern should be the thread if you've been riding with it loose for a while. But it should be fine. Those cartridge bb cranks tend to do that sometimes. Get a new bolt. Torque it up and off you go.

[Mike Bike]

negligence on the stores part...crank arm should not come off unless it wasnt fitted properly in the first place

[Naadir]

thanks guys, just really upset with the attitude of the store, im a total novice to the sport, i would at least expected them to tell me that i should have brought it after a few weeks, nothing but poor service from the time of purchase!

[J∆kk∆ls]

If it's crank arm then possibly due to incorrect installation by the shop... Also on a new bike, you need to have it checked after a few days of riding just to make sure that all bolts are torqued correctly so this doesn't happen.

Agreed, when I bought my first bike the bike shop asked me to return a couple weeks later for a free service so that these things don't happen. 

[David Marshall]

Agreed, when I bought my first bike the bike shop asked me to return a couple weeks later for a free service so that these things don't happen. 

I don't understand this first free service.  Me thinks it is to cover the shops butt for sloppy workmanship in the first place.  What part of the assembly needs to be rechecked or adjusted after a couple of rides?

[Halfdoesyn]

Yeah, crank arms don't just come off. If it's installed and torqued properly, it'll stay.

 

I have the exact same bike and quite happy. Just did the CTCT with it.

 

I will say this: Have your hub bearings re-greased and adjusted. Mine was quite dry and too tight.

[Rocket-Boy]

I don't understand this first free service.  Me thinks it is to cover the shops butt for sloppy workmanship in the first place.  What part of the assembly needs to be rechecked or adjusted after a couple of rides?

I would think the only thing would be a bit of possible cable stretch to check the indexing.

[GLuvsMtb]

I don't understand this first free service.  Me thinks it is to cover the shops butt for sloppy workmanship in the first place.  What part of the assembly needs to be rechecked or adjusted after a couple of rides?

There are usually a few minor things that may need adjustment:

1. Cables need to be tightened as cable housing may move in places changing the tension on the shifter (and brake, if mechanical) cable.

2. Brake callipers need repositioning after being bled in and you've done a few rides.  

3. Pedals needs to be adjusted (SPD type pedals may be too loose / tight, and as this is a user preference thing shops don't always get this one right).

4. suspension settings needs to be checked after a few uses. 

5. Small tweaks on the setup need to made, particularly if you did not have a professional measurement and setup done.

[Mojoman]

Equally though you need to check your bike and make sure things are as they should be. Don't rely on others. Imagine if you had been out on a ride, decided to get a bit of air under as you go over a hump and that crank arm came off upon landing! Get some tools, do some Googling and keep it maintained. 
 

[Naadir]

My initial argument was that if all the components need to be torqued they usually don't come loose, after the that shut attitude of that guy Olympic Cycles can expect me to barge in the and cause some drama!

[Naadir]

My initial argument was that if all the components need to be torqued they usually don't come loose, after the that shut attitude of that guy Olympic Cycles can expect me to barge in the and cause some drama!

[eddy]

My initial argument was that if all the components need to be torqued they usually don't come loose, after the that shut attitude of that guy Olympic Cycles can expect me to barge in the and cause some drama!

You seem like the kind of customer every business dreams about having....

[J∆kk∆ls]

I don't understand this first free service.  Me thinks it is to cover the shops butt for sloppy workmanship in the first place.  What part of the assembly needs to be rechecked or adjusted after a couple of rides?

What about manufacturing defaults. The LBS can't be responsible for if a part is defective. Within the first two weeks of purchase one of my pedals was squeaking like a mouse being murdered and the bike shop replaced them with a new set after examining the defective part.

Case closed, customer happy.

[David Marshall]

There are usually a few minor things that may need adjustment:

1. Cables need to be tightened as cable housing may move in places changing the tension on the shifter (and brake, if mechanical) cable.

2. Brake callipers need repositioning after being bled in and you've done a few rides.  

3. Pedals needs to be adjusted (SPD type pedals may be too loose / tight, and as this is a user preference thing shops don't always get this one right).

4. suspension settings needs to be checked after a few uses. 

5. Small tweaks on the setup need to made, particularly if you did not have a professional measurement and setup done.

If the cables need adjusting they were not fitted properly in the first place.  We fit new cables daily and I would be horrified if a customer had to bring the bike back for adjustment after a few rides. Brakes too.  What is going to change on the suspension in a few weeks?  Most shops send out the suspension parts for servicing any way, so what will they adjust?

 

Setup is not a service issue but again if done right the first time should not need changing.

 

Faulty parts are an issue on their own and also not post delivery service item.  They should be sorted immediately they fail.

 

If customer peace of mind is the objective of the first free service then fine but I will stick to my guns - not necessary if the bike was correctly built up and tested in the first place.