Back in June I bought a new Scott Speedster S40 road bike. After about 20 miles of riding, the cables had stretched out so most of the gears didn't work properly. I took it back to the dealer, they proceeded to blame me for improper shifting even though this is my third road bike over about 7 years of riding without a problem. I took the bike back, used it for the rest of the summer, gears got a little sloppy but not right away. I finally just took it back for the warranty tune last week, and sure enough after about 30-40 miles the cables have stretched again and the gears are starting to not work properly. I keep crosschaning to a minimum, I ease back on the tension when I shift, so I just doubt it could be me. In addition to this, the bike has suffered from various squeeks/rattles/clunks that have needed to be fixed as well. Very dissapointing for a new $1000 bike. What should I do at this point, and what do you think is causing my gears to go out of whack so fast?
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Cables stretching on a new road bike, help!?
- Thread starter Magnum
- Start date
I would learn to do the basic adjustments yourself. It's very easy to do derailleur adjustments if you keep the cables clean and lubed. I have found the cable guide on the bottom of the bottom bracket gets gummed up and causes a lot of shifting problems. Clean the guide with a solvent and tooth brush and the cable. Use a dab of grease on the guide and cable, it will collect dirt on the surface but keep it away from the cable and guide. I use this site for information.
http://bicycletutor.com/
http://bicycletutor.com/
I would learn to do the basic adjustments yourself. It's very easy to do derailleur adjustments if you keep the cables clean and lubed. I have found the cable guide on the bottom of the bottom bracket gets gummed up and causes a lot of shifting problems. Clean the guide with a solvent and tooth brush and the cable. Use a dab of grease on the guide and cable, it will collect dirt on the surface but keep it away from the cable and guide. I use this site for information.
http://bicycletutor.com/
http://bicycletutor.com/
My solution will cost you more money, sorry. Take the bike to another shop, explain your issue(don't bad-mouth the other shop), and let them do a tune-up on it. If the problem occurs again, then you know something is up. If the other shop fixes your problem, then you've found a new home.
"Cable stretch" is a normal part of the break-in process, so that is not your fault. Shops will typically pre-stress the cables to help speed the process. The bike may have been assembled in a hurry and this step was skipped. Since it happened again, that suggests there could be other problems. (i.e. loose der cable cinch bolts, split shifter cable housing, cable ends have become unseated in the shifters, bent der hanger, etc....) Can't say for sure.
"Cable stretch" is a normal part of the break-in process, so that is not your fault. Shops will typically pre-stress the cables to help speed the process. The bike may have been assembled in a hurry and this step was skipped. Since it happened again, that suggests there could be other problems. (i.e. loose der cable cinch bolts, split shifter cable housing, cable ends have become unseated in the shifters, bent der hanger, etc....) Can't say for sure.
I would learn to do the basic adjustments yourself. It's very easy to do derailleur adjustments if you keep the cables clean and lubed. I have found the cable guide on the bottom of the bottom bracket gets gummed up and causes a lot of shifting problems. Clean the guide with a solvent and tooth brush and the cable. Use a dab of grease on the guide and cable, it will collect dirt on the surface but keep it away from the cable and guide. I use this site for information.
http://bicycletutor.com/
http://bicycletutor.com/
I would learn to do the basic adjustments yourself. It's very easy to do derailleur adjustments if you keep the cables clean and lubed. I have found the cable guide on the bottom of the bottom bracket gets gummed up and causes a lot of shifting problems. Clean the guide with a solvent and tooth brush and the cable. Use a dab of grease on the guide and cable, it will collect dirt on the surface but keep it away from the cable and guide. I use this site for information.
http://bicycletutor.com/
http://bicycletutor.com/
My solution will cost you more money, sorry. Take the bike to another shop, explain your issue(don't bad-mouth the other shop), and let them do a tune-up on it. If the problem occurs again, then you know something is up. If the other shop fixes your problem, then you've found a new home.
"Cable stretch" is a normal part of the break-in process, so that is not your fault. Shops will typically pre-stress the cables to help speed the process. The bike may have been assembled in a hurry and this step was skipped. Since it happened again, that suggests there could be other problems. (i.e. loose der cable cinch bolts, split shifter cable housing, cable ends have become unseated in the shifters, bent der hanger, etc....) Can't say for sure.
"Cable stretch" is a normal part of the break-in process, so that is not your fault. Shops will typically pre-stress the cables to help speed the process. The bike may have been assembled in a hurry and this step was skipped. Since it happened again, that suggests there could be other problems. (i.e. loose der cable cinch bolts, split shifter cable housing, cable ends have become unseated in the shifters, bent der hanger, etc....) Can't say for sure.