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shoddy bicycle service?

def chrisdef chris
edited November 2012 in Chit chat
Here's the scenario: a few months ago the back brakes on my bike suddenly locked against the wheel and I couldn't figure out why so I took it to halfords for a repair. they repaired it but a week later the same thing happened, so I took it in again and they repaired it again. about 2 months later the same thing happened again so I took it in and this time after repairing it the guy told me a way to stop it from happening by turning this screw at the back if it seemed like it was going to happen again. so sure enough about a month later the back brakes started chafing against the wheel again so I turned this screw and it made it worse, so I took it in for repair AGAIN, and they assured me it was okay. went out for a early morning cycle today and the same thing's happened AGAIN. back brakes locked against the wheel, had to virtually drag the bike back.

firstly wtf is going on? and secondly does anyone reckon I should demand a free repair this time (cost about ?17 each repair so far).
Post edited by def chris on
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Comments

  • milemile
    edited November 2012
    def chris wrote: »
    Here's the scenario: a few months ago the back brakes on my bike suddenly locked against the wheel and I couldn't figure out why so I took it to halfords for a repair. they repaired it but a week later the same thing happened, so I took it in again and they repaired it again. about 2 months later the same thing happened again so I took it in and this time after repairing it the guy told me a way to stop it from happening by turning this screw at the back if it seemed like it was going to happen again. so sure enough about a month later the back brakes started chafing against the wheel again so I turned this screw and it made it worse, so I took it in for repair AGAIN, and they assured me it was okay. went out for a early morning cycle today and the same thing's happened AGAIN. back brakes locked against the wheel, had to virtually drag the bike back.

    firstly wtf is going on? and secondly does anyone reckon I should demand a free repair this time (cost about ?17 each repair so far).

    repair work should come with a gaurentee, or at least an explaination why it wont.

    just ask to speak to the manager that usally gets the free stuff flowing. :p
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited November 2012
    I had a free service guarantee for 12 months after I bought it, never noticed any other guarantees for these repairs though?

    bike is a ?350 subway btw, not some old banger. can't figure out why the same thing keeps occuring
  • ZheXerZheXer
    edited November 2012
    I would expect any repair to come with at least 3 months guarantee.
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited November 2012
    I will ask them about that tomorrow then,thanks
  • ccowleyccowley
    edited November 2012
    Personally, I would not take it back to Halfords since they obviously don't understand what the problem is or how to fix it properly (either that, or they *do* understand how to fix it but aren't for some reason). Seems like the very definition of incompetence to me.

    Isn't there a small, independent, bike shop you can go to? I use local independent place and they offer a much better service than a big national chain.
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    Is it just the old cable type brake? (Not been on a bike for years so don't know the developments).

    If it is it sounds like the cable end where the screw is flattened and so slipping through the screw your tightening...have em put a new cable on it. when the cable comes free the brakes are applied (on spring action)....which also fits in with the screw tightening thing..just sounds like either the screw keeps vibrating loose or the cable is worn and so the screw is not tightening enough on it.

    if it's just the screw coming loose stick some of that red screw locking liquid on it.



    This vid might help if you don't know your wishbone from your ankle..
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited November 2012
    cheers beanz will have a look at that later,if it leads to me solving the problem I'll paypal you 17 quid. (- not a chance cause I'm crap at fixing anything :D)
    ccowley wrote: »
    Personally, I would not take it back to Halfords since they obviously don't understand what the problem is or how to fix it properly (either that, or they *do* understand how to fix it but aren't for some reason). Seems like the very definition of incompetence to me.

    Isn't there a small, independent, bike shop you can go to? I use local independent place and they offer a much better service than a big national chain.
    yeah, just phoned them to explain the situation and didn't get any kind of apology, just "can you bring it in tomorrow". might not next time - I got the bike from them in the first place though, so always tend take it back there
  • fogfog
    edited November 2012
    contact the makers also.. does sound like a design fault.. as brakes shouldn't be that tricky to fix
  • thx1138thx1138
    edited November 2012
    Halfords employ chimps to service bicycles.

    You got drum brakes on your subway? They are trickier than regular brakes to service, and I wouldn't trust them to get it right.
  • Scottie_ukScottie_uk
    edited November 2012
    def chris wrote: »
    I turned this screw and it made it worse....

    A silly question but did you try turning this screw the other way?
    Calling all ASCII Art Architects Visit the WOS Wall of Text and contribute: https://www.yourworldoftext.com/wos
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited November 2012
    Yeah, gently each way at first then more... Only made the brakes tighten!
    fog wrote: »
    contact the makers also.. does sound like a design fault.. as brakes shouldn't be that tricky to fix
    True, ill see how it goes
    thx1138 wrote: »
    Halfords employ chimps to service bicycles.

    You got drum brakes on your subway? They are trickier than regular brakes to service, and I wouldn't trust them to get it right.
    Don't even know if they're drum brakes, basically know zero about bikes tbh. Took it in earlier, When I get it back ill ask them to write down exactly what the problem is/was anyway
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    Turning the screw if it's the cable type brakes is going to allow the steel rope to free up..which will make the brakes tighten. The rope holds the brakes open (the spring wants to force them closed). If the rope is loose the brakes apply.

    You have to hold the brakes open manually by pulling the steel rope tight, holding the brakes open and then tightening the screw...you only need 3 arms to do this, easy.
  • ccowleyccowley
    edited November 2012
    beanz wrote: »
    the steel rope
    "Steel rope"?! Really? We call them brake cables in English.
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    Here is a highly accurate technical drawing explaining how it works

    The screw that sets the torque on the steel rope needs to be loosened, the brakes held open in position, the steel rope pulled tight and then the holding screw tightened to hold the rope in place with the brakes in the open position.

    2cdirls.jpg
  • ZnorXmanZnorXman
    edited November 2012
    ccowley wrote: »
    "Steel rope"?! Really? We call them brake cables in English.

    They go by either name over here, where, yes, amazingly enough English is also spoken.

    English is such a versatile language.
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    ccowley wrote: »
    "Steel rope"?! Really? We call them brake cables in English.

    Yep..made of steel rope.

    Of course here in the civilized world we use hydraulics...I'm just trying to remember back to the dark ages.
  • ccowleyccowley
    edited November 2012
    beanz wrote: »
    Yep..made of steel rope.

    Of course here in the civilized world we use hydraulics...I'm just trying to remember back to the dark ages.
    Well yes, when your average citizen weighs 20 stones, the additional weight of a more complicated braking system is probably not important. Surprised you don't routinely have automatic gearboxes too. :p
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    ccowley wrote: »
    Well yes, when you're average citizen weighs 20 stones, the additional weight of a more complicated braking system is probably not important. Surprised you don't routinely have automatic gearboxes too. :p

    They do! :lol:

  • ccowleyccowley
    edited November 2012
    beanz wrote: »
    They do! :lol:

    Cool... Just need to fit a little electric motor to that bad boy, and you can get fit without even having to pedal!
  • ZnorXmanZnorXman
    edited November 2012
    ccowley wrote: »
    Cool... Just need to fit a little electric motor to that bad boy, and you can get fit without even having to pedal!

    Unca Clivey already owns the patent on that idea.
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    ZnorXman wrote: »
    Unca Clivey already owns the patent on that idea.

    Why have a C5 when you can have a Segway!
  • ccowleyccowley
    edited November 2012
    beanz wrote: »
    Why have a C5 when you can have a Segway!
    "Segway INC specify the following requirements:

    Riders must weigh at least 45kg (approximately 7 stones / 100 lbs and must be no heavier than 117kg (approximately 18 stone / 245 lbs)."

    Fatists.
  • fogfog
    edited November 2012
    Scottie_uk wrote: »
    A silly question but did you try turning this screw the other way?

    lefty loosey* .. righty tighty... otherwise you will case the earth to implode (apparently)

    *not to be confused with a lucy who is politically inclined
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited November 2012
    beanz wrote: »
    Here is a highly accurate technical drawing explaining how it works

    The screw that sets the torque on the steel rope needs to be loosened, the brakes held open in position, the steel rope pulled tight and then the holding screw tightened to hold the rope in place with the brakes in the open position.

    2cdirls.jpg
    Thanks. Might print that out and hang it on my wall, it's got a very haunting quality. :smile:

    The halfords guys must know all this though cause they always manage to get it working, it just keeps going wrong again...
  • WinstonWinston
    edited November 2012
    Well it does depend on the design of the brakes, you've got at least three types for rims - side pulls (which beanz's drawing shows), centre pulls and cantilever. Most pure road bikes seem to have side pull brakes, hybrids or less expensive mountain bikes seem to use cantilevers (expensive mountain bikes seem to use disc brakes, because mud contamination on the rims can cause problems stopping once the rims are nicely lubricated with slime). I don't think I've ever actually seen centre pull brakes.
  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    def chris wrote: »

    The halfords guys must know all this though cause they always manage to get it working, it just keeps going wrong again...

    If it's a new bike /brake cable it will stretch with use, that might be why it's needed to be adjusted, should settle down when it's stretched.
  • guesserguesser
    edited November 2012
    Traditional bike brakes are generally speaking crap and can take a bit of tweaking to get working properly. The d?railleur gears are much the same. Once you figure out how they're supposed to work you can just fiddle with them until they stop jamming :)
    My rubbish website including the redrawn Amstrad schematics and the Sinclair Wiki.
  • mel the bellmel the bell
    edited November 2012
    Winston wrote: »
    Well it does depend on the design of the brakes, you've got at least three types for rims - side pulls (which beanz's drawing shows)

    really? you could tell?
    all it shows to me is beanz cant draw lol
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  • beanzbeanz
    edited November 2012
    mel the bell wrote: »
    really? you could tell?
    all it shows to me is beanz cant draw lol

    That was after 5 Shocktop Belgian Whites and it's using Picasso's style, philistine.

    429px-Picasso_Outside2.jpg

    ^ Pablo working on his Mountain bike brakes.
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited November 2012
    urgh... just had a call from halford's asking what the problem was, because there's nothing wrong with my bike and the wheel + brakes are fine?! when I took it in last night the wheel was stuck and I showed them, the guy even tried to spin the wheel and it wouldn't move.

    I've entered some kind of portal into the twilight zone here obviously
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