Who's fault is this now...

[The expat cyclist]

So in January I purchased a wheelset from a local online store.

 

The wheelset went into the (also new) fork via thru axle - no issues.

The front wheel came with QR adapters but they where not used.

 

Anyway, yesterday when I got home I heard a clunking sound coming from the front wheel area. Heard it only once so I put it down to nothing.

 

This afternoon while climbing up agravel road I heard it again. Decided to cut my ride short and went home.

 

I checked the wheel for tightness and it was not loose. Took the wheel out and checked the hub but that was fine as well.

 

Then I noticed the left and right side of the hub axle looked different. (I have not taken the wheel out since I purchased it) Sure enough the drive side part is smaller, almost like it is missing something. Go onto the internet and at first I could not even find the axle for this perticular wheel.

 

I found the 2007 manual for the wheelset but the axle is different. Then eventually I find a french 2014 manual.

 

According to the manual, the axle is indeed missing a piece.

 

How would you know a brand new wheelset that you never owned before is missing a part? Sure, in retrospect the two sides of the axle look different, but the wheelset is French...#justsaying. Everything felt fine in the beginning, no funny sounds, no instabillities.

 

So now I need to call the online store and find out what the heck...

 

My worry, although not visibly obvious, that there might be damage to the fork - guess I would only know one I get the missing axle part and fit it to the fork?

[Patchelicious]

I would check if there is actually damage before getting too upset.

[raptor-22]

When you ask for advice on the hub the default position is you're at fault .

 

Personally, you got shafted by another careless retailer. Call them up and give them the opportunity to make right

[Joe Low]

Perils of overseas internet purchases, more difficult to resolve these types of issues than an lbs you can visit physically. Good luck in getting a decent outcome and let us know how you get on.

[LOOK695]

Perils of overseas internet purchases, more difficult to resolve these types of issues than an lbs you can visit physically. Good luck in getting a decent outcome and let us know how you get on.

Was a local online purchase

[PeterF]

Perils of overseas internet purchases, more difficult to resolve these types of issues than an lbs you can visit physically. Good luck in getting a decent outcome and let us know how you get on.

The OP said "local online store".

[Pure Savage]

Thats strange that they would not come with the part, maybe the factory did not pack it. I am sure they will sort it out though, lets hope all is A ok with the fork.

[Joe Low]

The OP said "local online store".

 

ah yeah, Sunday night brain in. Being local should go more than halfway to getting a better result.

[raptor-22]

Thats strange that they would not come with the part, maybe the factory did not pack it. I am sure they will sort it out though, lets hope all is A ok with the fork.

Not uncommon phenomenon. Curious George always opens boxes to see what's inside and then gets distracted . Then someone else helps a customer with a part out of said box with intent to replace the part but gets distracted .

Then eventually item is put on sake voet stoets.

 

It's not the buyers fault but it's always a good idea to check the contents immediately after receipt. Online does complicate that though

[PeterF]

There are a few things that I find strange

 

1. You did not notice a part missing when you fitted the wheel.

2. It took 4 months for the problem to manifest.

3. You did not remove the wheel once in 4 months.

[The expat cyclist]

There are a few things that I find strange

1. You did not notice a part missing when you fitted the wheel.

2. It took 4 months for the problem to manifest.

3. You did not remove the wheel once in 4 months.

1. Neither did the bikeshop when they sent it. And how would you know something is missing when you don't know what it should look like? I had a lefty before so what do I know about thru axels?

2. Concerned that the attachment points between the fork and wheelset has now worn...

3. Where does it say I should have? Reviews says this is an install and forget wheelset.

[Rocket-Boy]

There are a few things that I find strange

 

1. You did not notice a part missing when you fitted the wheel.

2. It took 4 months for the problem to manifest.

3. You did not remove the wheel once in 4 months.

In all honest I wouldnt have noticed a missing part if I didnt know what to look for.

No idea about the amount of time or what it entailed, or even how much riding was done.

I remove my wheel every 6 months or so, I dont see a need to do it sooner for any reason.

[Jimmy 2.0]

What wheels are they and what do you think is missing?

[TheV]

Seriously doubt there would be real damage to the forks, unless you can see something you're not telling us? Post a picture.

 

Frustrating as it may be, I don't think you can blame the online store in this case... If you don't have any experience with a specific technology then it's safer to use a LBS. If you order online and then you take some responsibility for the appropriate installation and setup of the product.

 

Also, you say it's a new forks, who installed this? If you can install a forks but can't see a hub missing a piece then I don't know what to tell you... If the bike already had a TA wheel set then you could have compared the two...

[PeterF]

In all honest I wouldnt have noticed a missing part if I didnt know what to look for.

No idea about the amount of time or what it entailed, or even how much riding was done.

I remove my wheel every 6 months or so, I dont see a need to do it sooner for any reason.

Maybe I just fiddle too much with my bikes, but wheels are regularly off!!!

 

Would really like to see a picture of the missing part.  Was just thinking that it is very strange a missing part of the axle would not immediately be noticed when fitting a wheel.  I know with my front wheel there is just an end cap on either side and I would certainly know if one was missing.

[The expat cyclist]

Seriously doubt there would be real damage to the forks, unless you can see something you're not telling us? Post a picture.

Frustrating as it may be, I don't think you can blame the online store in this case... If you don't have any experience with a specific technology then it's safer to use a LBS. If you order online and then you take some responsibility for the appropriate installation and setup of the product.

Also, you say it's a new forks, who installed this? If you can install a forks but can't see a hub missing a piece then I don't know what to tell you... If the bike already had a TA wheel set then you could have compared the two...

Again, how would you know something is missing when there is no reason to suspect it is missing? I had zero reason in the past 4 months to suspect anything is wrong.

 

As I said before, the bike had a lefty so no, I could not compare. And why would I compare anything if I had no reason to do so?

 

And also, you expect me to see a part is missing but yet, this reputable online store shipped it incomplete?

 

Look, I don't want anything from them other than to help me out and get me the missing part.

What worries me is that this part is sold (apparantly) as part of the wheelset. So I doubt this online store will have what I need seperately. Which means they will have to order from the manufacturer...

 

But, who knows, maybe I get lucky...we shall see. Hopefully I will be able to borrow a front wheel somehwere and I can go ride with my wife on Wednesday.