Born again newbie! Issues with new bike

[Madmidwife]

Hello to everyone -back in the saddle after a few years off! I had a Trek 4300 MTB and I get on very well with it- but I am quite slow at times- not that that is a problem in itself- but I cycle a lot with the hubby and it's becoming a PITA either keeping up or him waiting for me!!! Solution? Get a road bike ? (we do do most of our cycling on raoads/tracks) Hmmm.... not for me- I just can't do the low handle bars. Hybrid? Ahhh- good solution. Managed to get accepted on the cycle to work scheme and went to Halfords. I had a £500 budget and whittled it down to the Boardman MX sport Fi.
Collected the bike on Thursday and excitedly went to try it out - couldn't get the saddle low enough!!! Husband worked out it was the screw/bolt thingy (I can ride a bike- I have no technical prowess!!) for attaching erm.... things to the bike !!! Phoned Halfords who said they would have to cut of some of the stem- I checked this wouldn't invalidate my warranty- and got my very technically minded hubby to do it! Off we go......... or NOT!!! Would not engage in gear 2/3 easily and clunked, clanked and clinked going through gears 1-9. Had to stay in 2 and cycle home .
Took bike to Halfords Sat- did some tweaking- all is well I was told
Went out today- going from 2-3 and 3-2 (you know- on the left hand gear lever :/ ) was fine, and going into 1 was fine- but would not come out of 1!! Had to keep randomly going up/down all gears!!
Chain rattled all the time- not just a little bit- but a LOT!!
Then at the end of my ride the chain fell off!!!!! Never had that happen to me before-or my hubby - and he has cycled a lot more than me!
Needless to say I have no confidence in the bike or Halfords and am considering rejecting it- question is - can I do this ? (like you would a car).
I have also learned that I could have used my voucher to get a TREK from leisure Lakes !!!!!!!

Oopss!! Sorry- bit of an essay!!!
Any help or advice greatly welcomed!

Cheers

 

[simon.r]

In short, your gears need setting up properly. It sounds as if the indexing and limit screws aren't adjusted correctly.

Get back to Halfords and insist they set everything up correctly. I'd take a longish test ride near the shop and bounce it straight back if it's not right.

 

[BrynCP]

Sounds like the gears need some further adjustment?

If you paid cash, you could reject it if not fit for purpose, but as it's cycle to work, and your employer owns the bike, not you, I am not sure you could.

But I think you'll find that Halfords will do the further adjustment. When you leave try all the gears and take it straight back in if not right.

 

[Madmidwife]

Thanks for that I will take it in - AGAIN!!! Tomorrow!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for that I will take it in - AGAIN!!! Tomorrow!

... and go ape-shoot at the most senior manager in the place. If it's not fixed then get them to pay for a decent bike shop to do the job properly.
The Boardmans are good bikes, Mrs FF has one.

 

[Madmidwife]

Ohhh- thanks for that FF- I shall do just that- off to practice my not very happy face!!!

 

[Saluki]

What a nightmare for you. Hubster has a Boardman, it's a great bike. Once he had indexed the gears and done the handlebars up tight he really liked it and still does.

Take no crap from Halfords, chances are it was put together by someone who doesn't actually know that much about bikes. Are your forks on the right way round?

 

[Madmidwife]

Thanks Saluki....... just off to google forks and will have a look tomorrow!!! (told you I am not technical)

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Ohhh- thanks for that FF- I shall do just that- off to practice my not very happy face!!!

Take your don't mess me around tongue with you too.

 

[Madmidwife]

 

[Madmidwife]

Good evening all
Went to Halfords- chap adjusted the gears again, then I went for a long ride around- they seem ok- but still a bit "clunky" (thats a proper technical term) when they change . There was still quite a distinct noise from the chain- took it back in before going home and the chap rode it himself- he says its just the chain at the rear derailleur when it's at a high tension (or something like that) and it's normal . I will accept this for now, but my Trek never makes this noise, mr MM's new Trek road bike doesn't, and neither does his mountain bike.
I will see how it goes and wait for the 6 week check up (ooohhh- it's just like having a baby )

Warm regards
MM

 

[Globalti]

In cases like this I wish I lived near the OP as I would be more than happy to cycle over (any excuse!) and fettle the bike for them. To sell a bike then not set it up right is inexcusable. And Halfrauds should have fitted the bike properly, not left it to the customer to do it.

MMW, read this that I posted a couple of days ago: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bad-professional-mechanics.161479/

Sounds familiar?

 

[Madmidwife]

Awww- thanks Globalti - I take it fettle is a technical term? I am VERY technical
I am just beyond frustrated now- I am no expert - but I know when it doesn't feel right!
Another issue - which I wasn't sure about but got Mr MM to listen out for is a metal clunk/thunk (get me) in the forks/suspension bit when I unavoidably go over a bump - and he agrees - sounds like metal hitting metal- but when he turns the suspension off it doesn't make this noise- so back it goes tomorrow for the final time- if it isn't 100% I shall try demanding them paying me to take it to leisure lakes (where Mr MM got his bike and our previous bikes- and NEVER a problem) for a professional to sort it out- or I will reject the bike
Will have a look at that link now

Hmmm - now.....Put the kettle on or a nice cold lager in the garden???

 

[Gravity Aided]

Might try turning the forks' resistance levels up. They only have 63mm of travel in those Suntour Forks, I can't help but think they could be bottoming out, or that the system for damping isn't working properly. Best to check with Halfords' on this, and see if they can't set things aright for you, or reject the bike. You don't need this sort of problem right out of the gate. A new bicycle should function well in all respects. If you want headaches, buy a used bike.

 

[Kestevan]

Typical Halfords - decent hardware put together by semi trained chimps.

TBH it's probably best to just take the bike to a decent LBS and get it sorted. It may cost you £20 or so, but will be quicker than waiting for halfords to do a half decent job.