Goddamnitalltohell!!!

Joe Pozer · May 23, 2005

jacksonpt said:
Not 10' out of my driveway, the rear wheel pulls out of the dropouts and I flat.
I'm a little pissed... doesn't seem like the wheel should have pulled out of the dropout if the skewer was cranked down nice and snug - something I assume the shop should have done when they assembled the bike. Am I off base here... should have have to give the bike a once over before I ride it? In hind sight, I probably should have just to be safe, but... if I have to check the skewers, do I also have to check the spokes? headset? cranks? If the shop assembles a bike, I expect to be able to ride it right out the door.

Yes and Yes...Although the shop might have assembled the bike it is still your responsability to go over the bike and make sure everything is tight. Also, make sure you get into a habit of checking your stem, skewers, etc. after your rides to make sure they are still tight. They will loosen up...

punkassean · May 23, 2005

Ultimately I think it's the shops responsibility. At least legally anyway. If you didn't mess with the QR lever before it fell off then they should take that bike back and give you a brand new one. That is what I would have done when I managed a shop.

It's not like it fell off after a few rides or something when it could have legitimately come loose. It came off after 10 FEET of riding. That is clearly no fault of yours. Any initial checking over of the bike you do is purely out of your own preference and interest of well being, it is not your responsibility to double check the initial shop build although it is recommended.

Joe Pozer · May 23, 2005

punkassean said:
Any initial checking over of the bike you do is purely out of your own preference and interest of well being, it is not your responsibility to double check the initial shop build although it is recommended.

While I do see your point I think that the rider should always do a final check of any build. Mechanics are humans and will make mistakes. I think that Jack has a good case to get a new frame but I would rather save my skin. Imagine if that would've been the front skewer, he might be missing a few front teeth. That is the reason I always say that it's ultimately the riders responsibility, it is up to us to ensure our own safety. Never take it for granted that the bike was set up properly.

KleinMp99 · May 23, 2005

jacksonpt said:
Am I off base here... should have have to give the bike a once over before I ride it?

NO you are definately not off base. You should definately bïtch at the shop. Just think of what could have happend if you were in traffic or something like that.

sanjuro · May 23, 2005

KleinMp99 said:
NO you are definately not off base. You should definately bïtch at the shop. Just think of what could have happend if you were in traffic or something like that.

Unfortunately, I have to agree. This same problem happened with a Jamis Quest someone else built for a friend of mine. I remember the owner giving a shrug when I mentioned my friend's wheel popping out, which caused him to crash. I replied, "Well, my friend is a NYC lawyer. He probably won't sue".

I know the Jamis rear wheels come in the dropouts out of the box. And if the back wheel was true, an assembler might not take it out. But obviously he should have to at least check the QR tension.

Of course, bitching at the shop will get you the same shrug...

mobius · May 23, 2005

Definetly bitch at the shop. It is their duty to check everything on the bike and the fact they put the wheels on and such they should check that. I'd bitch at em just so they feel stupid and then bitch about the flat tire and act like you know nothing about bikes so they have to give you a free tube and fix it.

Joe Pozer · May 23, 2005

jacksonpt said:
I agree that it was a bonehead move on my part not to check the basics... I got caught up in the excitement of a new bike - I'm sure some of you can relate to that. I guess ultimately my question is who's responsible? In the grand scheme of things, a new frame would be great, but I don't expect that (assuming there's no physical damage to the frame). I just expect them to appoogize, fix what needs to be fixed, and maybe throw in a set of pedals or something if they want to try to make up for the mistake (which I obviously think is their fault).

Definitely call the shop right away and tell them what happened, they should take care of any issues. Oh, I can relate...In a rush to hit the trails I forgot to check my rear skewer and the wheel came off bending the rotor. Of course, I had no one to blame but myself for pulling such a bone headed move.

sanjuro · May 23, 2005

Again, it is amazing annoying, but if nothing is damaged (beyond the tube) and no one hurt, not much else can be done.

P.S. Forget the frame/skewer position crap. If the frame is in the way, close the skewer in another direction where it does not hit the frame.

Cash-Money · May 23, 2005

that was a big thing at my shop, always to make sure everything was perfect before the customer took their bike. be it in for repairs, or new, that ways nothing bad could happen

mobius · May 23, 2005

Ask for touch up paint. They can get it from jamis i'm guessing or some other kind.

Lexx D · May 23, 2005

Go talk to the guys in the shop. What we forget sometimes is that we ride bikes and work on bikes, not everyone does.
If joe schmoe walked in said "I'll take that one" and starts riding away then is it his fault? No it's the shops, not everyone who rides a bike knows how to go over it to make sure it's safe. Yes, you should have looked it over but it's the shops fault that it happened. Isn't that why people go to a bike shop? For a "Profesional build" with all the TLC that comes along with it. If it's not for that then why?

ito · May 23, 2005

Just going to chime in here and agree with what is being said. The shop needs to take responsibility for it and that means that if they frame is damaged(ie. bent) because of the wheel falling out then you need to talk with them. At the very least they should cover the cost of the tube. I also think the owner would appreciate a heads-up to the fact that his staff is not assembling bikes properly. I wouldn't go in and attack, but show them what happened and explain the situation. If they are dicks about it I'd consider a new shop.

I would not feel bad at all about bringing it into the shop and asking for some help.

The Ito

LordOpie · May 23, 2005

jacksonpt said:
...doesn't seem like the wheel should have pulled out of the dropout if the skewer was cranked down nice and snug - something I assume the shop should have done when they assembled the bike. Am I off base here... should have have to give the bike a once over before I ride it? In hind sight, I probably should have just to be safe, but... if I have to check the skewers, do I also have to check the spokes? headset? cranks? If the shop assembles a bike, I expect to be able to ride it right out the door.

This is EXACTLY why I think Wal-Mart, et al. should be sued every time one of their clients gets hurt on a bike.

YOU are VERY knowledgeable and this happened. Imagine the average 'tard?

I think you should've been able to reasonably assume the bike was in working order and you should've been able to ride it out the front door of the shop.

T-Blazer · May 23, 2005

every skewer gets double checked before it leaves my shop. all pro shops have the same resposibility for quality and safe assemblies.

McGRP01 · May 23, 2005

Should have bought a Felt.

KleinMp99 · May 23, 2005

LordOpie said:
This is EXACTLY why I think Wal-Mart.......

All I can think of is loose handlebars, brakepads that spin and are vertical hitting the tire. At a bikeshop there is no possible way that could fly. They must do something to them before they leave the store.....but usually you grab the bike and go up to the register. Does the lady at the counter have a set of wrenches and check the bike over before it leaves? :rolleyes:

jacksonpt said:
I called the shop... His response to the wheel coming out was, "Weird - bring it in and I'll take a look.

His way of saying "somebody, or myself f'ed up on building it. There is no weird thing about it, it simply should have been tight. Either that or it should have been checked for anything that could possibly lead to the wheel falling out. And it also should have been test ridden by the shop. :dead:

hooples3 · May 23, 2005

man... that really sucks!!!
but hopefully that will be the last of the problems you have with it.

DRB · May 24, 2005

I think its insane to get on a bike without checking the quick releases first. Absolutely insane.

binary visions · May 24, 2005

Sucks, Jackson, sorry to hear it. I always once-over any work the shop does (which, these days, is pretty much limited to setting start nuts and pressing headsets, since I've got tools for everything else) but that doesn't mean they're not responsible to make sure the bike is safe when it leaves the store.

Definitly see if they'll hook you up with at least something.

binary visions · May 24, 2005

Oh, and hey, at least you got your first scratch out of the way really quickly, now you can ride the snot out of it without worrying

stosh · May 24, 2005

I would just take it as a sign from the Mtn Bike gods that you aren't supposed to ride on the road.

MMcG · May 24, 2005

Where are the photos of the bike???

binary visions · May 24, 2005

jacksonpt said:
I'm resizing them as I type...

How can you resize and type at the same time?

I think someone's pants are on fire...

Goddamnitalltohell!!!

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