New bike - stem clamp not tightened resulting in catastrophic failure

[Mark_Robson]

If he was exerting enough pressure on the bars to shear the face plate bolts then he would have had a nasty accident. Sorry but IMO he is talking absolute bollocks as the bike would have been unrideable long before the bolts sheared. Try riding a bike with the bars that loose that you can't keep them centralised and see how far you get.

 

[raindog]

Sorry but IMO he is talking absolute bollocks as the bike would have been unrideable long before the bolts sheared.

+1
absolutely.
If the bolts loosened up, even slightly, the bars would be twisting and flopping about all over the place.

 

[abo]

+1
absolutely.
If the bolts loosened up, even slightly, the bars would be twisting and flopping about all over the place.

Fair comment that. And, if you were driving a car and felt the steering wheel getting lose would you stop immediately, or keep going until it suffers a 'catastrophic failure'?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I also think that the Client and the OP are one and the same and are testing the water.

+1 and even i have had a few bits go wrong but its just bikes (and me )

If you paid £400 and want £1000 componsation somthing there smells abit

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1 It took a catastrophic crash for my stem to rendered loose through stripped bold threads. Even then the stem cap stopped the stem from falling off. I think lots of bollox are being talked here.

+1
absolutely.
If the bolts loosened up, even slightly, the bars would be twisting and flopping about all over the place.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

My foot fell off on my ride today and I am going to sue God and demand I get Nick Craig's legs. Oh wait no that didn't happen at all

 

[Howard]

I also think that the Client and the OP are one and the same and are testing the water.

Hah no. I'm 5.8", weigh 70kg - I don't think I could shear a stem bolt if I tried, and I keep my bikes in good shape, doing 1000s of miles per year. I have wheels that cost the price of this chap's ride. I admit I don't own a torque wrench, though

I'll let you know if I learn anything else about the incident. I'm willing to accept that he probably should have stopped once it became apparent there was a problem, but I disagree that sole liability resides with him once the bike leaves the shop floor for mechanical failures resulting from the shop's mechanic's inability to check basic fittings.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Shear a stem bolt? You stated it was not tightened properly to begin with. If the bolts were not properly tightened it would have been apparent from the first ride. No parts have worn out or failed so I fail to see how you or you client will have a leg to stand on when you demand your / his £1000 bike because of Catastrophic failure. Learn / teach him how to do an M check and leave it at that unless you / he wants to look like a fool.

Hah no. I'm 5.8", weigh 70kg - I don't think I could shear a stem bolt if I tried, and I keep my bikes in good shape, doing 1000s of miles per year. I have wheels that cost the price of this chap's ride. I admit I don't own a torque wrench, though

I'll let you know if I learn anything else about the incident. I'm willing to accept that he probably should have stopped once it became apparent there was a problem, but I disagree that sole liability resides with him once the bike leaves the shop floor for mechanical failures resulting from the shop's mechanic's inability to check basic fittings.

 

[Bluebell72]

"Where there's blame there's a claim..."

I hate compensation culture. When will there be a responsiblity culture???
£400 to £1000, you're having a laugh.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Bordering in attempted extortion

"Where there's blame there's a claim..."

I hate compensation culture. When will there be a responsiblity culture???
£400 to £1000, you're having a laugh.

 

[Howard]

Shear a stem bolt? You stated it was not tightened properly to begin with. If the bolts were not properly tightened it would have been apparent from the first ride. No parts have worn out or failed so I fail to see how you or you client will have a leg to stand on when you demand your / his £1000 bike because of Catastrophic failure. Learn / teach him how to do an M check and leave it at that unless you / he wants to look like a fool.

Be nice, read my post. Shearing the remaining bolts after loosing a few could explain what actually happened. As for the M check thing, I agree, at a certain point in a bike's life you should be checking this stuff - but not, IMHO, a week into its life. I'll send him a copy of Zinn though, just for you

Speculating, I'd imagine bolts could have been incorrectly fitted, came loose, probably dropped out loosening the bars and the remaining bolts sheared under stress. This chap is big, with a lot of upper body strength - to me it didn't seem implausible that he could shear a stem bolt or two.

I hate compensation culture. When will there be a responsiblity culture???

Er, yes, me too - I think it's the responsibility of the shop to make sure the bike is safe to ride when it leaves the shop. And when something goes wrong and it's the fault of the shop through poor workmanship or defective parts, it's the responsibility of the shop to put it right. How they decide to do that is up to them, but in the situation where they sell a defective product that caused an accident, and could have caused a very nasty accident, they would do very well to show some generosity if only to salvage a bit of their reputation. Especially if they are very, very profitable (they are). Now, it may turn out that the chap isn't being entirely accurate in his description of what actually happened, and if that's the case, well, he probably doesn't have a case. But that won't change my view that shops should sell products fit for purpose, and that when they don't a financial penalty should be applied that incentivises them to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again in the future.

edit: text in bold added for clarity.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

How many bolts does this stem have? More than two I take it??? I did read your post and saw nothing that would imply shearing was to blame. In fact my first reaction after reading it was the stem has been adjusted after purchase and not tightened up again. I would LOVE to be in the shop when you present your case. LMFAO.

Be nice, read my post. Shearing the remaining bolts after loosing a few could explain what actually happened. As for the M check thing, I agree, at a certain point in a bike's life you should be checking this stuff - but not, IMHO, a week into its life. I'll send him a copy of Zinn though, just for you

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If the chap isn't being honest how the hell can the bike be classed as "Unfit for purpose"? Seriously I think you need a reality check.

Now, it may turn out that the chap isn't being entirely accurate in his description of what actually happened, and if that's the case, well, he probably doesn't have a case. But that won't change my view that shops should sell products fit for purpose.

 

[Howard]

If the chap isn't being honest how the hell can the bike be classed as "Unfit for purpose"? Seriously I think you need a reality check.

I think you misunderstood my post. To be clear: if it turns out he is to blame, I agree, he doesn't have a case, the bike was most likely sold fit for purpose, and in doing whatever he did, he voided his implied warranty and all that. Agree, 100%.

Entirely separate to this issue is my belief that shops have a duty to sell items that are 'fit for purpose' and ensure these items are safe when they are transferred to customers. So should it turn out that the chap wasn't to blame, however unlikely you think this is, the shop had a duty and on this they failed and have a responsibility for this failure. So for example, if it turns out the stem was defective in some way, they had a responsibility to make sure it wasn't before they left the shop, and on this they failed, and they have a responsibility for putting things right. Hope that makes sense, I don't think I can make it any clearer, so if you don't agree, we'll agree to disagree.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If the stem was defective them I agree. However it would have failed on the first ride. The very fact it didn't negates the rest of your argument. OOI you say he is your client - Are you his cycle instructor?

I think you misunderstood my post. To be clear: if it turns out he is to blame, I agree, he doesn't have a case, the bike was most likely sold fit for purpose, and in doing whatever he did, he voided his implied warranty and all that. Agree, 100%.

Entirely separate to this issue is my belief that shops have a duty to sell items that are 'fit for purpose' and ensure these items are safe when they are transferred to customers. So should it turn out that the chap wasn't to blame, however unlikely you think this is, the shop had a duty and on this they failed and have a responsibility for this failure. So for example, if it turns out the stem was defective in some way, they had a responsibility to make sure it wasn't before they left the shop, and on this they failed, and they have a responsibility for putting things right. Hope that makes sense, I don't think I can make it any clearer, so if you don't agree, we'll agree to disagree.