Am I being told the truth

[thighbuster]

HI EVERYONE !

I have a couple of questions for you ? I purchased a new marin bike 8 months ago, and recently i've noticed slight side to side movement in the pedals. After calling the shop where I purchased the bike they advised me it could be the bottom bracket and this could be tightened. However if it is found to be defective and needs changing I would have to pay for a replacement ,but not the labour as the bike is still under warranty.

My first question is,can this be tightened as its a sealed unit? And my second question is, should I have to pay for a replacement when the bike is still under warranty? and has only covered under 400 miles of easy, dry weather only use!

 

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

Im no expert, but bottom brackes can be tightend. They are a sealed unit and by tightening it they mean how tight the unit (or units for hollow tech bottom brackets) are turned into the bottom bracket housing.

The more important point is the cost. Most bottom brackes are about £10 - £15 so not a bank breaker, and labour should only be for half an hour absolute maximum.

But the important point is should you pay? If I were you* I would let them have a look at it and if they offer to do it ALL for free then no harm done.

If they tried to charge me for anything I would decline, drive to the next nearest bike shop, buy the tool I need, watch youtube to see how its done and never visit the original shop again.


*and knowing what I know about bottom brackets and having the tools to do them costing £5 and a spanner for the older internal type, or 10-15 for a hollowtech type

 

[cyberknight]

I just replaced a sealed unit and i do not see how they can tighten it up.

I would think that a bottom bracket is classed as a part that is not covered by warranty like a chain,brake blocks etc etc ............

That all said i think it should last a lot longer than 400 miles, couple of thousand more like , have you got a copy of the warranty they gave you as it should list whats was covered .A new one can be had for under £15 and can be done in under an hour .All they have to do it take the cransk off, take out the old bottom bracket , put in a new one and stick the cranks back on.I managed to do all this with a basic tool kit and instructions off the internet.

 

[Bromptonaut]

While the warranty would exclude wearing parts (tyres/tubes/brake blocks) I think they'd have to prove abuse iro of a bottom bracket.

As to scope for adjustment - it depends. Most BB's these days are sealed units but there are still a few that have an adjustable cup and lockring on the left side.

 

[Bensbikespares]

Im no expert on new bikes / warrenty, but it should still be coverd in the warrenty


You can tighten the BB up, but if you overtighten or not tight enough it will nacker your threads up and you will need a new frame

My questions are

What bike shop did you buy it from?
What bb is it?
have you contacted staright to the manufacter?
have you still got proof of purchese? and warrenty leaflet? just as they might exclude it as you wont be able to proove its 8 months, they might say its 3 years or older

 

[Nebulous]

Read your warranty. Bikes like most consumer goods need to be fit for purpose. A bike with a bb that only does 400 miles isn't fit for purpose in my opinion, unless it was sold as an ornament.

What is excluded from warranty is where items are subject to normal wear and tear - new brake pads in a car are an expected part of the driving experience, so are not covered. They almost certainly would be covered if they only did 400 miles though - unless the manufacturer could show that you had driven everywhere with the brakes on.

So in summary if parts have worn out within reasonable tolerances its your responsibility. If they have worn out extraordinarily quickly, claim it wasn't fit for purpose and see what they say.

If you claim not fit for purpose they may try to say you have caused it - by using solvent and washing all the grease out of the bracket for instance.

 

[Banjo]

I had a similar discussion over a wheel that packed up after only 600 miles.

I had the "you must have washed the grease out blah blah "(Absolutely untrue) .Stand your ground remind the retailer that you bought the bike from THEM not Marin so what marin says is irrellevant to your contract.

I got a new pair of wheels but had to stand up for myself to get them.


PS Welcome to Cyclechat.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Agree with all of the above. Now way a BB should fail after 400 miles. If the LBS can sort it out FoC then great but otherwise it will be the "Sale of goods act". Out of interest - what bike is it and from where did you buy it?

 

[Paulus]

I would suspect that it is the cups that may of come a little loose. The bike is only 8 months old and after a bit of use they may need a little tightening.