Niggles with new bike (from B'ham City Cycles)

[the reluctant cyclist]

I got my new bike from Birmingham City Cycles on Saturday I'm a bit miffed with some of the service - what do you think?

There was a two week wait for it because they said they were delayed with the cross head brake levers that were on order but he let slip that he had not ordered them for about 5 days after I had paid the deposit on the bike. He didn't bother to phone me either to say when the bike was ready - I had to keep chasing them which annoyed me.

I nagged and nagged for a full quote but was not given it - just told I would have change from £800!

Then when I picked up the bike there was no bell on it (niggly I know but nonetheless) also the cage for the bottle had been fitted really badly so it had squashed the bottle really badly (again niggly I know but it seems like a lack of attention to detail) and the mudguards were all wonkey - we pointed it out to him and he sort of bent it back by hand but as we pushed it to the car the fixings came off and we had to take it back!

The handlebar tape (I think) has been fitted badly and instead of starting at the top and then tucking the excess into the stops at the end of the handlebars the tape has been started at the bottom and then sealed with black tape.

Hubby had to spend some time the other night re-adjusting the mudguards (this is before I rode it) so they weren't rubbing on the wheels and he said the gears weren't indexed correctly and he had to make some adjustments.

They had a list of all the things I wanted and a lock and two back lights were on the list but I have no lock and only one back light.

Lastly - today (on it's second ride) the computer is not working!

Having said all that I did pay the full price and walk out of the shop with it. I just wonder if I should complain about the computer and the handlebar tape now (a few days on) or just put it down to experience and stop being a moaning minnie and just enjoy my new bike!

Any opinions or indeed experience of the shop? Hubby doesn't think I will have much come back if I moan. He was not impressed with the shop at all.

All this has taken some of the shine from my new bike!

 

[jimboalee]

I got my new bike from Birmingham City Cycles on Saturday I'm a bit miffed with some of the service - what do you think?

There was a two week wait for it because they said they were delayed with the cross head brake levers that were on order but he let slip that he had not ordered them for about 5 days after I had paid the deposit on the bike. He didn't bother to phone me either to say when the bike was ready - I had to keep chasing them which annoyed me.

I nagged and nagged for a full quote but was not given it - just told I would have change from £800!

Then when I picked up the bike there was no bell on it (niggly I know but nonetheless) also the cage for the bottle had been fitted really badly so it had squashed the bottle really badly (again niggly I know but it seems like a lack of attention to detail) and the mudguards were all wonkey - we pointed it out to him and he sort of bent it back by hand but as we pushed it to the car the fixings came off and we had to take it back!

The handlebar tape (I think) has been fitted badly and instead of starting at the top and then tucking the excess into the stops at the end of the handlebars the tape has been started at the bottom and then sealed with black tape.

Hubby had to spend some time the other night re-adjusting the mudguards (this is before I rode it) so they weren't rubbing on the wheels and he said the gears weren't indexed correctly and he had to make some adjustments.

They had a list of all the things I wanted and a lock and two back lights were on the list but I have no lock and only one back light.

Lastly - today (on it's second ride) the computer is not working!

Having said all that I did pay the full price and walk out of the shop with it. I just wonder if I should complain about the computer and the handlebar tape now (a few days on) or just put it down to experience and stop being a moaning minnie and just enjoy my new bike!

Any opinions or indeed experience of the shop? Hubby doesn't think I will have much come back if I moan. He was not impressed with the shop at all.

All this has taken some of the shine from my new bike!

Is that Birmingham City Cycles on the Bristol Road, just by the Greek Rest't?

I never shop there. I go to Bike Pro in Kings Heath when my regular LBS can't help.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

The handlebar tape thing is quite common - apparently it's the new-fangled correct way of doing it, as we have all been doing it wrongly for decades

 

[MacB]

The handlebar tape thing is quite common - apparently it's the new-fangled correct way of doing it, as we have all been doing it wrongly for decades

I thought people did it the other way round to make it easier to change hidden cables and add in cross top levers?

 

[Spinney]

Try taking it back.
Even if you don't get anywhere you will have tried.
If you don't complain, you definitely won't get anywhere!

 

[ianrauk]

Thought handlebar tape always starts at the ends. At least that's what I have been doing. See Bike Tutor & Park tools

 

[e-rider]

First off, the tape is on the correct way but sometimes people make a mess of taping it so it looks really bad. If you start at the top your hands would work against the tape and it would peel off and break in no time. Perhaps you just need to tidy-up the tape at the top (that's what I had to do with my new bike) Use electrical insulating tape in your chosen colour.

Mudguards - it's common for people to make a mess of this too but I'd expect better from a shop really. You should be able to sort this pretty easily too unless they cut the stays too short.

Gears/brake adjustments - again, common to see them not set correctly on a new bike - poor service from the bike shop but nothing I haven't seem a million times before.

Overall, as long as the bike isn't damaged in any way and all of the components are essentially fine and just in need of adjusting/fine tuning I wouldn't worry about it. As I said - I would expect better from a bike shop but it's not uncommon at all. There are loads of bike shops that just want to take the money and never see you again.

Definitely shop elsewhere next time.

If you are unable to make the adjustments yourself take it back. However, I suspect they have a $hit mechanic so I'd not rush to let him get his hands on your new bike again!

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

First off, the tape is on the correct way but sometimes people make a mess of taping it so it looks really bad. If you start at the top your hands would work against the tape and it would peel off and break in no time. Perhaps you just need to tidy-up the tape at the top (that's what I had to do with my new bike) Use electrical insulating tape in your chosen colour.

Mudguards - it's common for people to make a mess of this too but I'd expect better from a shop really. You should be able to sort this pretty easily too unless they cut the stays too short.

Gears/brake adjustments - again, common to see them not set correctly on a new bike - poor service from the bike shop but nothing I haven't seem a million times before.

Overall, as long as the bike isn't damaged in any way and all of the components are essential fine and just in need of adjusting/fine tuning I wouldn't worry about it. As I said - I would expect better from a bike shop but it's not uncommon at all. There are loads of bike shops that just want to take the money and never see you again.

Definitely shop elsewhere next time.

If you are unable to make the adjustments yourself take it back. However, I suspect they have a $hit mechanic so I'd not rush to let him get his hands on your new bike again!

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

Thanks for all your replies!

I can see from the videos that have been posted and having a look at the other videos that the handlebar tape seems to have been applied in the "correct" way.

However, when the bike was delivered to the shop it had white handlebar tape (which I didn't like) and it wasn't fitted with electrical tape - there was no electrical tape to be seen! Also my old bike came from the shop with the handlebar tape minus electrical tape.

It looks really naff to me - no new bikes look like it - I am obviously just super fussy!! LOL!

Sounds like you all sort of accept it but wouldn't use them again? Hubby sort of says the same thing but wouldn't like to go against the trend of nature and agree with him or anything!!!

Thanks again.

 

[rh100]

I think Tundra is correct about the tape, my first attempt I did it the old way, and the way it overlaps it gets pushed away easier by your hands, doing it from the end inwards puts the overlap the other way, so your hands slide over the overlaps. It's about which way the ridges of the overlaps are facing and which way your hands are likely to slide against the bars.

A tip with using electrical tape, to keep it nice and neat don't pull the tape off the reel hard, unwind it as gentle as possible without stretching it, and cut it with scissors rather than pulling it apart as this stretches it out of shape.

Me personally I would certainly argue the toss about the missing parts, what parts does your invoice show for?

I've never used this shop before and may well avoid now. I've bought a couple of bits from the Kings Heath one Jimbo mentions, and there is a couple of shops around Solihull that are ok IMO. Scotts in Hall Green (old style LBS) and Red Kite. Give a rough idea of your location and someone probably knows a good shop nearby.

 

[e-rider]

I am correct about the tape

Finishing it off with electrical tape can look very neat and tidy if done well - mine looks very good, and better than any I've seen in shops - factory boys just throw it on in seconds and take no pride or care in what they are doing. I've noticed that the mechanics in the Tour de France also know how to finish the tape well

I didn't comment on the missing parts because I forgot. Clearly if you paid for stuff and it's not there then go back and ask for (demand) it.

Sounds like another pi$$ poor bike shop to me.

Why do so many bike shops offer crap service? Get this stuff sorted and then go elsewhere in future - simple!

 

[e-rider]

Thanks for all your replies!

I can see from the videos that have been posted and having a look at the other videos that the handlebar tape seems to have been applied in the "correct" way.

However, when the bike was delivered to the shop it had white handlebar tape (which I didn't like) and it wasn't fitted with electrical tape - there was no electrical tape to be seen! Also my old bike came from the shop with the handlebar tape minus electrical tape.

It looks really naff to me - no new bikes look like it - I am obviously just super fussy!! LOL!

Sounds like you all sort of accept it but wouldn't use them again? Hubby sort of says the same thing but wouldn't like to go against the trend of nature and agree with him or anything!!!

Thanks again.

If there was no tape, how was the end of the handlebar tape fixed to the handlebars? Sellotape? Glue?

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

If there was no tape, how was the end of the handlebar tape fixed to the handlebars? Sellotape? Glue?

LOL! The bike tape was started at the top and the tape was wound over itself and then wound down to the bottom of the handlbars and tucked in there! Never had any problems with it but I am feeling old now as things have obviously changed since then!

 

[Will1985]

Not a fan of BCC - I'm guessing you were served by the Aussie (Ali I think his name is)?

Only been in there twice...don't even know why I went back a second time really. Look elsewhere at places like Northfield Cycles, On Your Bike, Bike Pro...or if you're prepared to travel further - Brothertons, Cult, Red Kite.

Never really ventured north of the centre unless riding the Number 11 bus route, so no idea if there are any decent ones around there.