My sister just paid a local bike shop for a service, including new cables. We just got home from a ride and she was complaining that the brakes didn’t feel right. I had a look and first off they were not centred properly, which was causing them to rub. The main thing is a hen I noticed the way the cables had been fitted. Am I overreacting when I say she should go back and complain? I’ve refitted them properly by the way.
by TheMonopolyGuy
11 Comments
This is such a basic thing to do for an LBS and could potentially cause brake failure, I would be surprised if they don’t cut some corners on other repairs
For a LBS it’s pretty bad, they should know better, could have been a new trainee or something but it should never have left the shop like this.
It’s the sort of work I expect from your average Redditor.
Can’t seem to edit my typo. Sorry about that.
Time for a new LBS.
Frustrating situations like that led me [here](https://www.youtube.com/@parktool/videos) (sort by Popular.)
That’s shocking, I’d report to trading standards if your in the UK that could of been disastrous
I love how quick everyone is to cut the LBS off lol. Obviously somebody that was newer at fixing bikes did this and I’m extremely doubtful it was intentional. Sure, it should have been checked by one of their more senior mechanics but shit happens and shops can get busy. Why don’t you return to the shop and tell the manager you’re not happy with the work and give them a chance to fix it? If this bike came back to the shop I worked at any of me or my colleagues would happily re-do the job properly and probably go above and beyond to shore you we care and that it was a mistake.
Everybody starts somewhere and not everyone is going to be a pro mechanic after their first shift. Anyone who has ever actually worked as a mechanic has done some dodgy fixes and sent bikes out the door that probably shouldn’t have when they were learning. It’s part of the process.
On the other hand, if one of their senior mechanics did this job then yes, get the hell out of there. My point is, I feel like you should give them a chance and if they don’t handle the situation appropriately, then go look for a new shop.
yeah, avoid that shop from now on. that’s an actual safety hazard that could lead to very serious injuries.
when I was a new hire at my first bike shop I made a similar mistake on a customer bike and the head mechanic tore me apart verbally for it. the thing is that at least he caught that mistake because I was the new hire after all and I couldn’t be trusted just yet.
that’s just straight incompetence. best case, it was just the new kid messing up, but that still implies a HUGE oversight from the other employees there for not checking their work.
Wow, this is so wrong!
Definitely tell the LBS. They need to know that someone messed up, so they can take “corrective action”.
You’ll be helping a future customer.
Ask for the owner and ask them how safe that incorrectly routed brake cable appears to them. It’s supposed to be in the notch inside the bolt. A shop owner with any sense should recognize that as a huge liability that could lead to a business ending claim. The bike washer shouldn’t be working on brakes.