Derailleur Snapped - Warranty?

[Aushiker]

G'day

On my run from Joondalup to Fremantle this evening I managed to snap off completely my rear dérailleur and snap my chain. Not 100% sure what happened but was coming up a short steep hill and I think I had just changed down a gear as there was a dad and his kid to get around while still putting on pressure for the climb.

Anyway the whole (dérailleur) snapped and then the chain popped a link.

I am interested in knowing what I did or what could have caused this to happen and secondly if it is likely to be a warranty repair? The later question really drives where I take it to get repaired. If not warranty I will go to my local lbs otherwise I need to take it into town to Fleet Cycles (more hassle).







Thanks
Andrew

[europa]

Go back to where you bought it from and throw yourself on their mercy. You'd think it'd be a warantee item unless you'd jammed a stick in there or something, but if it's not, they'll be able to replace it. You might be able to repair it, and if so, a good lbs would be able to.

So just go back to where you got her and see what they say.

Richard

[LuckyPierre]

'All' that's happened it that the pin holding the idler wheel in place has come loose, then fallen out. Simple cause, nasty problem - b*gger!
It it's reasonably new, and you can get it back to the shop where you bought it, they should look after you.

[sogood]

What happened to the bolt holding the second jockey wheel?

[Mulger bill]

You're up for a new hanger too Andrew, still it's cheaper than reps to the frame.

You didn't by any chance crosschain? Shifting to low on the rear with the front on the big ring is a recipe for disaster if you run a shortish chain, guess how I know Don't forget to ease the pressure on the pedals as you shift too.

Shaun

[LuckyPierre]

You're up for a new hanger too Andrew, still it's cheaper than reps to the frame.

Well spotted Shaun - I missed that.

[Kalgrm]

I don't know what will happen, but it will be a good test of your relationship with your bike shop. Technically, it shouldn't be a warranty issue, but a good LBS won't worry about sticking to the letter of the law here.

If they say "No probs - we'll fix that right away", stick with the LBS. If they say "Here, buy this new derailleur. Will that be credit?", find a better shop.

Either way, you'll find out if the LBS is worthy of your future patronage.

Cheers,
Graeme

[heavymetal]

Out of interest, what speed is the bike, and what sized jockey wheels are in the derailleur? Mine say narrow, which is meant for a 9 speed. I have spare jockey wheels that will not take a narrow chain.

Being my usual sarcastic self, I'm betting maybe someone assembled the bike with a wrong set of jockey wheels for the chain. I've heard of this before where the whole lot just jams and snaps the derailleur off.

I'm hoping I'm wrong

Kev.

[Aushiker]

You didn't by any chance crosschain? Shifting to low on the rear with the front on the big ring is a recipe for disaster if you run a shortish chain, guess how I know Don't forget to ease the pressure on the pedals as you shift too.

I was on the small chain ring.

The bike was in for service last Friday so I don't know if that hard any influence. Also my puncture on the weekend was the rear wheel. Could I have put it back on out of alignment?

I will take it back to Fleet Cycles and see what comes of it.

Andrew

[Aushiker]

Out of interest, what speed is the bike, and what sized jockey wheels are in the derailleur?

10 speed Kev. I am at Anne's so don't have the jockey wheel. The other one went bush along with the bolt.

Andrew

[heavymetal]

10 speed Kev. I am at Anne's so don't have the jockey wheel. The other one went bush along with the bolt.

10 speed = narrow chain. I'd be curious whether the jockey wheels are narrow, or the bigger thick ones. The chain has a habit of jamming in this scenario.

I've never tested the theory, but I've heard several reports of it happening.

Good luck on a warranty repair. I hope they do it under warranty.

Kev.

[Aushiker]

10 speed = narrow chain. I'd be curious whether the jockey wheels are narrow, or the bigger thick ones. The chain has a habit of jamming in this scenario.

I am too new to this to know the difference but they look narrow to me. I went back and found the missing wheel this morning. No sign of the screw but.

Good luck on a warranty repair. I hope they do it under warranty.

Thanks. I am not holding my breath. Also lost my Connex quick release chain link That I will have to pay for for sure.

Andrew

[toolonglegs]

'All' that's happened it that the pin holding the idler wheel in place has come loose, then fallen out. Simple cause, nasty problem - b*gger!
It it's reasonably new, and you can get it back to the shop where you bought it, they should look after you.

Yeah that looks like the problem...how old was it and was it fitted in the shop?.If the lower pin has fallen out which it has,a hell of a lot of force would be needed to pull the pin out of the thread.So if it was fitted in shop then they should have checked it full stop!.And quite matter of factly if it was checked when it was assembled then it should never fall out.It is probably not a warranty issue but a poor mechanic issue.Did it bend the hanger?....don't straighten it if it did as it would have been softened too much.

[sogood]

This is a classic reminder to make sure the jockey wheel bolts are properly torqued. It's one of those area that's frequently missed on routine maintenance.

[mikesbytes]

The width of the sprockets and the internal width of 9 speed is identical to 10 speed.

The way that 10 speed chains are linked together makes them externally narrower to 9 speed and the sprockets are are closer together.

So you can;

- Waste your money saving 20gms fitting a 10 speed chain on a 9 speed bike.
- A 10 speed rider can borrow a 9 speed wheel during a race, find a gear that works and continue riding. Have seen a 9 speed rider use a 8 speed wheel too!
- Use a 9 speed derailier on a 10 speed bike
- There shouldn't be any problems using a 9 speed crankset on a 10 speed bike.
- You can of course put a 10 speed cluster on a 9 speed wheel

[toolonglegs]

This is a classic reminder to make sure the jockey wheel bolts are properly torqued. It's one of those area that's frequently missed on routine maintenance.

My point exactly...if you pay for your bike to be serviced then it should be.There are not that many things to check on a bike.I had a similar issue with a hanger that came loose an the threads where chewing thru the cluster retainer...if i had not been racing i would of stopped but i was going well and didn't.I was lucky that the hanger didn't fall off as i would have destroy a $4k frame.As the bike was 1 week old and was built in shop I had the shits.

[sogood]

My point exactly...if you pay for your bike to be serviced then it should be.There are not that many things to check on a bike.I had a similar issue with a hanger that came loose an the threads where chewing thru the cluster retainer...if i had not been racing i would of stopped but i was going well and didn't.I was lucky that the hanger didn't fall off as i would have destroy a $4k frame.As the bike was 1 week old and was built in shop I had the shits.

Don't blame you for getting the shits. After going through a full bike build, I can't see how how a workshop can build a bike up in a few hours and still give the same level of attention you do at home. As for those multi-point service checks, most of the time you are lucky to receive attention on 1/2 of those listed. No different to those so called car safety checks.

[toolonglegs]

Maybee it is just the ghost of my mechanical past in me...and call me OTT,but how many bolts are on a normal bike?....25 -30?.That would take about 1-2 minutes to double check.The only thing I don't do at home is wheels and I only get someone I trust to touch them.

[Aushiker]

Yeah that looks like the problem...how old was it and was it fitted in the shop?.I

Bike is two months old. Bike was serviced by Fleet Cycles last Friday. Bike is back in to Fleet Cycles today ... bill is likely to be around $200. All they are offering is 10% off which I get as a bike purchaser anyway.

Will it ever go back to Fleet Cycles. Not unless it is a clear warranty issue.

Will I ever buy from Fleet Cycles again or recommend Fleet Cycles, no. Just one to many "issues." This may or may not have been their fault. I don't know, but there is just something about their approach ... It does not work for me.

Regards
Andrew

[toolonglegs]

Tell them they should check the things they sell,not to be such tight f***s and that you'll do everything in your power to dissuade potential clients from walking in their door

[Aushiker]

G'day

I mentioned this event to Frank Palermo of Jet Cycles, Kelmscott. The bike shop owner who has dropped off to me a set of bar end lights to try out. His response is quoted below:

Giant is pretty good with accepting warranties but I’ve found them slow to supply the parts. If the bike is reasonably new and there’s no evidence of abuse or lack of maintenance (or at least evidence that can be tucked away!) I’ll replace or repair at my cost and then take the matter up with Giant (or whomever the company might be). Although that’s outside of what I’m legally obliged to do, I think a failure should not be a problem the customer is left with; it’s what I get paid for as a retailer. I think there’s a moral obligation to help the customer. That’s left me well out of pocket a few times, but I can live with that. I’d hope your LBS would do the same. Warranties are rubbery things…

Maybe I should move to Kelmscott!

Andrew

[Aushiker]

Tell them they should check the things they sell,not to be such tight f***s and that you'll do everything in your power to dissuade potential clients from walking in their door

I was just dealing with the "shop assistant" this morning I think. Will see what happens when I go to pick it up. Hopefully can speak to Brian about it then.

Andrew

[sogood]

Maybee it is just the ghost of my mechanical past in me...and call me OTT,but how many bolts are on a normal bike?....25 -30?.That would take about 1-2 minutes to double check.The only thing I don't do at home is wheels and I only get someone I trust to touch them.

Absolutely. But given it's the jockey wheel bolt, I suspect it wasn't even looked at the service. And given the young age of the part, I'd say that it just worked loose and fell out.

[toolonglegs]

Maybee it is just the ghost of my mechanical past in me...and call me OTT,but how many bolts are on a normal bike?....25 -30?.That would take about 1-2 minutes to double check.The only thing I don't do at home is wheels and I only get someone I trust to touch them.

Absolutely. But given it's the jockey wheel bolt, I suspect it wasn't even looked at the service. And given the young age of the part, I'd say that it just worked loose and fell out.

I agree but the point is that it "should" have been checked at build time (4 months old) and if I remember my shimano manual well should of had red locktite at assembly...so should never of worked loose and as such should be warranty.
On that waranty front my broken frame can only be repaired by welding and the doing a carbon wrap as they don't have an importer in this country anymore.As long as it works I will be happy as it is a training bike...but wait till next time in snaps

[MichaelB]

Yeah that looks like the problem...how old was it and was it fitted in the shop?.I

Bike is two months old. Bike was serviced by Fleet Cycles last Friday. Bike is back in to Fleet Cycles today ... bill is likely to be around $200. All they are offering is 10% off which I get as a bike purchaser anyway.

Only 2 months old, just been for a service ? Buggered if I'd be paying a red bloody cent. And then never going back.

Get hold of Consumer Affairs/Ombudsman (whatever they are called now) and explain the issue. Mention it to the bike shop when you discuss it with them.

Good luck.