Having a serious problem with my bike...

[lesley_x]

I bought a Specialized Secteur Comp about 6 weeks ago from Evans. On it's first trip out, I noticed the front wheel was being pulled to one side by the brakes and the brake block was rubbing the rim.

I took it back to them, they inevitably tried to charge me for a 6 week service when this was 2 weeks later. I was told it was cable stretch, when it blatantly wasn't. I bartered with them till they fixed it.

Took it home, running like a dream. Didn't use it for a week. Went back to it, to see the brake block was in total contact with the rim and the wheel couldn't run freely, also the wheel was pulling to one side again.

What the hell is going on here? Paid £1000 for the bike and not happy that it's not been right from day 1. I am taking it back into them but I'm not at all happy that my shiny new road bike blatantly has something quite wrong with it.

Any ideas/advice?

 

[moggsy100]

cheeky buggers trying to charge you after just 2 weeks of having the bike.. most places do a free 1st service in the 1st 1 or 2 months of having a new bike.. as for the mysterious moving wheel i haven't a clue sorry..

 

[palinurus]

Loosen the quick release on the wheel and position the wheel so that the wheel is not touching either brake pad. Tiqhten the quick release while in this position. Spin the wheel and check it doesn't touch the pads at all- if it does repeat and try again.

Now when you apply the front brake does one of the brake pads still remain against the rim after the brake is released?

 

[Sittingduck]

Twist the brake caliper until it's centered, then tighten the bolt.

 

[lesley_x]

I know that it can be fixed, my issue is that after it is fixed, it seems to revert back to the way it was. Even when a proper bike mechanic does it?

It's bizarre.

 

[Sittingduck]

Is the brake caliper loose, where it fits to the fork, e.g. can you twist it easily, with minimal pressure?

 

[palinurus]

Have a look at this, scroll down to road bike brakes, brake centering / binding.

 

[palinurus]

Try lubricating the pivots, if it works it's way off centre over a period it sounds like something might not be moving as freely as it should.

What brakes are they- Tektro?

 

[palinurus]

It's not cable stretch anyway. It's unlikely to be difficult to fix but it's a new bike and I'd expect Evans to sort it out.

 

[NormanD]

New bike, things will take time to work themselves in a little, so expect some teething problems with a new bike for the first few weeks at least. Once you've used it a number of times things will begin to settle and you can adjust to suit.