Dragons Sports Refreshed by New Investment

[BaGearA]

I rebuilt a 26 rim onto a hub that doesn't even have the anodizing on it with the same rusty spokes and it looks better than that 

 

*** I don't even true my own wheels , the above was just practice 

[tubed]

 

I could have done a better job, doubt that Mr Hirschfeld would be happy with that

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Without having the wheel in my own truing stand it’s hard to comment and I hate being a keyboard warrior. 

It looks from the video like there’s one spoke that needs an adjustment and that would sort out that small hop, but yes, it’s not perfect. 
Just have it trued, would take any wheel builder 10 min or less. 
 

Something many people don’t realize is how easily a carbon rim can go out of true if a tight tyre is installed. I’ve seen spoke tensions drop over 20% once a tight tyre has been mounted, and the rim goes all wobbly, when previously it was arrow-straight. 
 

It’s more important that all spokes are at the appropriate tension and consistent, and not all over the map. 

[Kom]

12 hours ago, nick_the_wheelbuilder said:

Something many people don’t realize is how easily a carbon rim can go out of true if a tight tyre is installed. I’ve seen spoke tensions drop over 20% once a tight tyre has been mounted, and the rim goes all wobbly, when previously it was arrow-straight.

The problem with these wheels is that the nipples are only adjustable from inside the rim, tape and tyre removed. Once the tire goes back on, it seems to develop this wobble, as if the rim itself is defective or too soft.

I’m told the spoke tensions are all checked before the tire  is refitted.

I’d be curious to hear about experience with the p-slr giant wheels, i can’t imagine this is a spoke  issue.

Edited May 11, 2023 by Kom

[splat]

For interest's sake: What tyres are you running on these rims?

[Kom]

53 minutes ago, splat said:

For interest's sake: What tyres are you running on these rims?

These are giant gavia pro tyres, actually bought these after I was told that continental gp5000 tyres i initially supplied were not compatible with the giant rim.

 In hindsight I should have pushed back, although the gp5000 do have a reputation for being super tight.

 I’m more convinced now that the rim supplied by dragon is defective. 

[Kom]

13 hours ago, BaGearA said:

I rebuilt a 26 rim onto a hub that doesn't even have the anodizing on it with the same rusty spokes and it looks better than that 

 

*** I don't even true my own wheels , the above was just practice 

***Warning: here comes a rant.***

I gave Jason and Gavin from Olympic cycles a lengthy opinion on how the pride of being a bike mechanic in South Africa seems to have changed to one of complacency and disinterest.

 A few  mechanics even bother with training or certification, it seems to have stopped being seen as an artisanal job, and now one filled by individuals focused on side hustle’s or other “main” interests, while they wrench bicycles by day.

 Few even actually ride bikes themselves.

 The average bush mechanic (read non professional mechanic, but passionate cyclist 😁 ) is in my opinion, levels better in experience and equipment setup.

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Kom said:

***Warning: here comes a rant.***

I gave Jason and Gavin from Olympic cycles a lengthy opinion on how the pride of being a bike mechanic in South Africa seems to have changed to one of complacency and disinterest.

 A few  mechanics even bother with training or certification, it seems to have stopped being seen as an artisanal job, and now one filled by individuals focused on side hustle’s or other “main” interests, while they wrench bicycles by day.

 Few even actually ride bikes themselves.

 The average bush mechanic (read non professional mechanic, but passionate cyclist 😁 ) is in my opinion, levels better in experience and equipment setup.

 

Two years later, and you seem to share my frustration as per the second post on this thread ..... 

 

 

I LOVE my Giant bike.  But both "authorised dealers" in my area are seriously lacking "quality control" (to put it mildly) in their facilities.

 

 

My bike now goes to a specialist bike mechanic for its major services.

 

 

PS - seems the workshop in Somerset West is good.  The logstics of two return trips for a bike service is just not practical ....

[Kom]

12 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Two years later, and you seem to share my frustration as per the second post on this thread ..... 

 

 

I LOVE my Giant bike.  But both "authorised dealers" in my area are seriously lacking "quality control" (to put it mildly) in their facilities.

 

 

My bike now goes to a specialist bike mechanic for its major services.

 

 

PS - seems the workshop in Somerset West is good.  The logstics of two return trips for a bike service is just not practical ....

Thanks Chris, that’s useful to know.

I’m hoping Dragon will come around, but cutting losses and moving on might be prudent.

Huge fan of giant product too, but no doubt that after-sales has gone for a ball.

[Eddy Gordo]

are there a couple of spokes that are not as tensioned as the rest?

[Kom]

52 minutes ago, Eddy Gordo said:

are there a couple of spokes that are not as tensioned as the rest?

I’ve done a squeeze test on spoke pairs in both Drive and non drive sides, and they feel “relatively” even.

I don’t have a calipre to measure accurately.

if the nipples on these wheels were accessible this thread would not even exist, I’d just bush-mech it myself, but these particular rims are super finaky.

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, Kom said:

Thanks Chris, that’s useful to know.

I’m hoping Dragon will come around, but cutting losses and moving on might be prudent.

Huge fan of giant product too, but no doubt that after-sales has gone for a ball.

 

Sadly this seems to be a wider industry problem.

 

A friend has a new bike from another brand, different dealer workshops.  3 out of 4 services the bike goes back due to a lack of QC ...

 

 

 

Buy the bike you like.  Then have it serviced where you trust the staff 👍👍

[Kom]

On 5/11/2023 at 9:54 AM, ChrisF said:

PS - seems the workshop in Somerset West is good.  The logstics of two return trips for a bike service is just not practical ....

I can’t seem to find this workshop, what’s the name of the dealer in Somerset? Are you talking about Williams?

[ChrisF]

On 9/18/2021 at 11:56 AM, bodger said:

Try out William's bike shop in Somerset West. The workshop expertise are second to none.

 

Yes, they often get good reviews here.

[Kom]

On 5/11/2023 at 10:09 AM, Kom said:

Thanks Chris, that’s useful to know.

I’m hoping Dragon will come around, but cutting losses and moving on might be prudent.

Huge fan of giant product too, but no doubt that after-sales has gone for a ball.

Feel like its important to circle back that Dragon have taken back the rebuilt wheel and replaced it with a completely brand new wheel.

Completely happy with the outcome - really important to say thanks to Gert and Gavin from Giant Cape Town to sort this out for me.