Crown Point Cycles - Take A Bow ! - "Pina" Builder !

[Ajay]

So you think the build was of an acceptable standard then ?

I don't know the shop (only looked at the website) and I haven't inspected the bike, but from what I've read I would say that he "saw you coming" and/or is out of his depth with high-end kit.
However you did take the bike out of the shop with the levers in that position, and taped the bars yourself with them there, and posted about what a great ride it was!

If I were you I'd book into Surosa (or similar ie someone who knows how to build expensive bikes) for a service and proper bike fitting. Then you'll be confident that everything is safely screwed together, and that the bike is properly set up for your size and style of riding.

I know it's a bit more expense, but in the scheme of things would be money well spent. You've got what should be a great bike there and I know how much you'll enjoy it!
Another week or so getting it professionally fettled and you'll be sorted - and it might have stopped raining by then!!

 

[monnet]

gb, I get the impression you've learnt a lot in this whole debacle. If you take anything from all this surely it should be find a decent LBS - look at what they sell, what riding the staff do, is there a regular clientele and what sort of riding do they do. A good shop usually seems to have a couple of local lads hanging around chatting to the mechanics drinking tea and chewing the fat over the most recent rides and races (though I accept not all are like this).

They might be more expensive than the internet but they know that, buy enough from them and they'll repay you by showing your bike the same love you show it. And when it comes to that new bike they'll help you out getting the right thing, even if it's not from them they'll give you a good idea of what you need to ask. A good LBS would have advised you on the 'Pina' and they'd have built it up properly too.
If you can, ride with the guys in the shops. I have 2 LBS' and I ride with guys from both shops. One shop is truly local and the service is always astounding. They're always my first choice for repairs, builds etc. but as they are small, they can't always do the job I need as soon as I'd like. The other is bigger and are bit snootier at times to the passing customer (so I always recommend people go to the first, though the second give me a better discount). I have greater faith in the 1st shop's mechanic but I also trust the 2nd shop entirely because (as I once pointed out to the manager, partly in jest) if my bike's not right and fails on me it could be him that I'm in front of in a chaingang or race.

Anyway, get the bike sorted, move on and enjoy the riding.

 

[gb155]

Ah, that's who you used.

They aren't known as a specialist LBS - it's just a 'standard bike shop'.

The specialists in the area are Wills Wheels, Withington Cycles, Surosa, Rick Greens, Bike Doctor, EBC, Harry's, and a few others (a few Dan_bo knows his way).

No wonder they struggled.

Standard length valves are useless on most bikes now - medium to long only. Obvious mistake. Headset - well it can come loose but only if the races hadn't been settled properly - what's probably happened, it was worshop tight, you rode the bike and the bearings have settled into the frame, leaving it loose. They should have made sure they were bedded in.

Yeah

but in fairness, I have been a great customer there for 3 years, going in ever 3/4 weeks either for bit or, in the old days, to get a broken spoke repaired.

It is without question a lesson learned tho