New (cheap!) Halfords bike – damaged by them putting it together? – a few newbie qus

[da_murphster]

Just picked up my new Carrera TDF as a commuter bike and an intro to road biking (never been on a road bike before!).

Just spent an evening fitting lights, reflectors, mud guards, helicopter tape to protect various bits etc.

Last thing I did was to attempt to fit my clip in pedals but they had fitted the standards ones in so tight that I had to use a 1 metre extension bar on the spanner to undo the Crank Arm – it was so tight it has ground into the Crank arm metal by a good mm (ie where the pedal meets the crank arm).

One new pedal fitted OK but on the other (non sprocket side) the thread has been damaged and I cannot get the new pedal back on.

So my qus:
- Halfords sell a LHS replacement crank arm – its only £5.99. Will this be an adequate replacement (ie as good as the old one)??
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_792663_langId_-1_categoryId_165545

- Will my Aldi ‘crank arm remover’ do the job?

- How do I know how well / badly they have set the bike up? The tyres were down on pressure, there seems to be no grease on the chain, handlebar tape is a bit slap-dash etc. Are they incapable of actually doing this or just lazy? Do I need to take it elsewhere to be set-up? I don’t know enough about bikes to know if the gears/brakes are well set-up.

I would rather not return the bike due to having fitted everything and I’m keen to start using it this week (plus it has come with the later shifters and a replacement may not)

TIA!

 

[Herzog]

Pedal have different orientation threads (i.e., one normal, one reverse). Any chance the one which didn't go on was being turned in the wrong direction?

Apologies if you know this

 

[da_murphster]

I know about the different thread directions (but only from when I bought my clip on pedals) so was very careful to get it the right way.

Unfortunately I’m not convinced the chavvy apes would even know how to ‘sort it’ – I was the pre-sale tick list and its very very basic (‘have you pumped un the tyres?’

Certainly making me think my free ‘6 week service’ might not be worth doing.

I’m hoping that someone might understand something about bikes – last time in Halfords I asked the gormless ‘mouth breather’ if I could speak to the manager it turns out it was him!

 

[da_murphster]

Adding: I was thinking of asking them to give me the new crank nad fit it myself.

Concerned that it is a 'downgrade' though - seems too cheap!

Might see if they can give me one from a stock bike - unlikely though.

 

[Dusty Bin]

- How do I know how well / badly they have set the bike up? The tyres were down on pressure, there seems to be no grease on the chain, handlebar tape is a bit slap-dash etc. Are they incapable of actually doing this or just lazy? Do I need to take it elsewhere to be set-up? I don’t know enough about bikes to know if the gears/brakes are well set-up.

Bear in mind these bikes come pre-assembled from Taiwan, China, or wherever. Halfords do not build them from scratch. Pretty much the only things that the shop staff will do is un-box them, straighten the bars and fit the pedals and possibly the wheels.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

You can try screwing the pedal in from the back and retry it from the proper side.

Watch out for the orientation of the square taper, some are a square along
the crank and some are a diamond along the crank, you need the right type.

rgds, sreten.

 

[da_murphster]

sreten - have tried this but the thread is FUBAR'd - only thing would be to re-tap it - but I would have to buy a tap set - new crank = cheaper!

Not sure what you mean on your second bit?

Dusty - hmmm - I assumed they had to put them together. Maybe not Halfords fault?

Will take it in this evening but really want to cycle to work tomorrow (wanted to today) - hope I can sort this quickly.

Can anyone clarify if the £5.99 crank is OK to use? - seems simplist solution. If not can someone point me at a budget solution?

Might see if aldi have a tap and die set - but don't think it would go up to 15mm.

 

[4F]

Hi,

You can try screwing the pedal in from the back and retry it from the proper side.

Watch out for the orientation of the square taper, some are a square along
the crank and some are a diamond along the crank, you need the right type.

rgds, sreten.

Indeed, I found that out last year. Fitted the new crank and thought something's not right here

 

[4F]

sreten - have tried this but the thread is FUBAR'd - only thing would be to re-tap it - but I would have to buy a tap set - new crank = cheaper!

Not sure what you mean on your second bit?

Dusty - hmmm - I assumed they had to put them together. Maybe not Halfords fault?

Will take it in this evening but really want to cycle to work tomorrow (wanted to today) - hope I can sort this quickly.

Can anyone clarify if the £5.99 crank is OK to use? - seems simplist solution. If not can someone point me at a budget solution?

Might see if aldi have a tap and die set - but don't think it would go up to 15mm.

5.99 will be fine, replaced mine last year and it was only a couple of quid more than yours. You need to check the crank length before purchase and whether it is diamond or square cut. Best bet would be to take the old crank in with you when you buy the new one.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Can anyone clarify if the £5.99 crank is OK to use? - seems simplist solution. If not can someone point me at a budget solution?

It is impossible to tell. Crank arms are designed to match, in the sense that they should position the two pedals equal distance from the centre of the frame given the correct bottom bracket, so it all depends on whether it matches your drive side crank.

 

[da_murphster]

Hmmm.....so better to keep original crank if poss then.

Assuming I can find a tap and die with suitable diameter - will it be OK once re-threaded? The new pedal thread probably only goes 3/4 of the way through the entire crank thread.

I don't understand the diamond vs square cut stuff? Are you saying that some cranks threads are tapered? If so wil it be obvious to the eye?

The other pedal seems to have gone on fine.

 

[sreten]

I don't understand the diamond vs square cut stuff?

Hi,

Take the crank you listed - Its a diamond compared to the length of the crank.
some cranks its square on compared to the length of the crank, like this :

rgds, sreten.

It may be possible to Helicoil the crank as a repair.
Don't know if Halfords do that sort of thing though.

 

[Andy_R]

It may be possible to Helicoil the crank as a repair.
Don't know if Halfords do that sort of thing though.

That's the funniest thing I've read in ages......

 

[biggs682]

if you have just picked it up and these are faults then take it straight back and kick ass

 

[Nick Stone]

Maybe try you LBS they might tap it for you for a few quid, it wouldn't be the first time they've probably had to do on numerous occasions due to lots over people cross threading and the likes. Maybe worth a try if you don't want to go back to Halfords, but maybe give them chance to rectify first