Puzzled by Service from my LBS

[sparkbike]

Chains on e-bikes wear quickly, and unfortunately cassettes often do as well.

In your case, it sounds likely that the shop didn’t adjust the gears properly, which isn’t good. That said, you may also genuinely need a new derailleur and the hanger may need to be checked or aligned.

A bike shop shouldn’t really let a bike leave in that condition without explaining what they think the problem is. At the very least, they should have told you whether it was an adjustment issue, a damaged hanger, or worn/incorrect parts.

I guess that because you rejected their parts and brought your own, the shop may not have wanted to get further involved or recommend additional replacement parts. Still, they should have communicated that clearly.

 

[MickMTB]

(I am in the US) SO I took my EMTB into my local LBS for a shock and fork lowers service, and to get new cranks and tires. A week later they call me back to pick up my bike, but they tell me the chain is worn out. I will note here that the bike was shifting perfectly when i took it in. SO I say, ok, put on a new chain. I arrive to pick up the bike, and they inform me that it doesn't shift well now with the new chain, and that is because it needs a new cassette because "cassettes wear with the chain" - I say, well, ok, this is now getting unexpectedly expensive, but I guess if it's worn, I will believe what they say and get it replaced as well. I will note here that the drivetrain was 8 months old when I brought it in. They quote me a price for a deore basic 12 speed 10-51 t cassette (shimano microspline) it's pretty high, so I say I think I can acquire the OG 7100 casstte for a better price, and so I do, (it's real, it's not counterfeit, it's not alibaba or anything like that, it's from another online US LBS). Took a few days to get in. In the meantime, my bike is really unrideable, stays in maybe 1 gear. I take the XT 7100 cassette over, they put it on, the mechanic can't get it to shift all that well. He rides it around a couple times, works on it, and then tells me that it works, it's shifting "ok" but he thinks the derailleur is a little bent. SO I say, ok, can I just get a new hanger, can it be fixed, what's the deal? He tells me I would need a new derailleur but it's good enough to ride. I say ok, I'll keep all of that in mind. I drive the bike back to my house, but cannot ride it until Sunday, so it sits in the garage.

So Sunday I am able to give it some attention, and I am thinking about a ride since it's been like 3 weeks now since all of this started. I go to ride it out of the driveway and it's unrideable. SHifts won't take, shifts pop out of gear, the chain skips all over the place, it's the same mess it was before. So I put it back in the garage, I am pretty pissed at this point. I had a perfectly fine shifting, lovely expensive EMTB 3 weeks ago, and now I have godawful mess of skipping gears etc. I resigned myself to ordering a new derailleur because I don't know what else to do. I don't what was accomplished with this entire, unexpected drivetrain replacement that was previously functioning perfectly, like what to think about this, or the LBS. Should I be upset with the LBS? I feel like I should take the bike on Monday to another shop, and get a second opinion, and a possible fix.? SHould I take it back to the first LBS and ask them to please continue to repair the drivetrain until it actual works? Or should i go elsewhere? I am also confused why they kept returning it to me in an unrideable condition, twice, telling me it was a little 'funky' but 'ok' - what do I make of all this? Is this typical? Meanwhile, going on week 4 without the bike in the middle of the best part of the riding season.

I would start with changing the cable for a good quality one,check the hanger alignment,new chain and cassette, no reason the mech is bent if it worked before, 100% find a decent mechanic, your bike should come back to you shifting like new! they are clearly crap!

 

[sjturner2112]

I would start with changing the cable for a good quality one,check the hanger alignment,new chain and cassette, no reason the mech is bent if it worked before, 100% find a decent mechanic, your bike should come back to you shifting like new! they are clearly crap!

Yup, so the bike is out of the second shop, who had much better mechanics, as they explained all of the possible issues and fixes. Obtained a new 34t chainring, had that installed, and I had a new derailluer, but the mechanic worked on the stock, and ended up getting it adjusted so that is shifting very well. The also replaced the stock coated cable with a steel cable. I guess the previous one had become a little stretched. I'd say the shifting is back to 90-95% like new. Probably needed the new D, but we did not put it on - bike had been in various shops now for 5 weeks, and I want to ride my bike!!! So I opted for an adjustment, and then got it out on saturday. So, new chain, new cassette, new front chainring, new shifter cable, and it's now back to basically normal. I will save the new D for when I invariably smash it on a rock next week - this new shop is 45 minutes away, but it is worth it for the quality of wrenching. Plus, they are big, so they have things like my exact cassette and D in stock already, (always, said the mech) so no more waiting on parts. And they are an Orbea dealer as well, so I can deal with warranty stuff if needed. I appreciate ALL of the responses from everyone.

 

[irie]

45 minutes to a shop with competent mechs, carry spares, and can deal with warranty claims, is a result.

 

[High Rock Ruti]

A simple and cheap tool will let you know the condition of one’s chain and conversely your drivetrain in general.

High Rock Ruti

Never had chain measure worn with park tools guage.

Warm Regards Ruti

 

[MountainBoy]

High Rock Ruti

Never had chain measure worn with park tools guage.

Warm Regards Ruti

Assuming you used a tool that was not bent, there are two possibilities:

1) You never measured a chain that had enough wear to register (highly unlikely, I think).

2) You used the tool incorrectly (most probable explanation).