For context, UK based, I've got a Marin Alpine Trail E which I bought new in January from Winstanelys bikes, I've put o, a touch over 100 miles overall so far.
Friday I noticed the rear rotor rubbing on one side of the brake pads which I thought was weird but figured I'd sort it myself as it takes no time at all, didn't notice anything with the thru axle.
Yesterday I was about 6km into a 35km planned ride when my wheel jammed and wouldn't move, at first I thought it was the chain but then realised the entire wheel had shifted and jammed inside the swingarm, the thru axle was sticking out and the brake rotor was now bent where t had been stuck in the caliper.
Half hour later of swearing and one aching lower back ,I'd managed to dislodge and refit the wheel, bend the rotor back into a useable condition and get on the bike only to find my Shimano display throwing up a W292 error which is related to the speed sensor and the motor wouldn't run. The sensor and magnet were still in place.
I took the bike to my LBS and he was amazed the thru axle could just come out like that, said to leave it with him and he'll get back to me.
He called me about an hour later to say the wheel was out of dish 5mm and he couldn't mount the rear brake caliper to the swingarm properly as it won't align centre to the rotor, which leads him to believe there's an issue with the frame which was known about when the bike was built and he suspects they left the thru axle loose slightly so the wheel and rotor would spin freely. He's offered to speak to Winstanelys Monday and explain everything to them but he reckons the frame is faulty or has been set up wrong and needs replacing.
Anyone have any experience with anything like this? I can't find many posts about thru axles coming out mid ride on a new bike, I phoned Winstanelys and they said I should be checking everything before I head out which is a fair comment but this is a practically brand new bike and I've had multiple bikes in the past for myself and my son and never have I had to tighten the rear axle? My Nukeproof Scout is still as tight as the day I bought it in 2020.
Added photos but not sure if they're allowed, thanks.
by mdogwarrior
7 Comments
Yep the same thing happened to me when my bike was fairly new. I figured they hadn’t tightened it fully during assembly. Tightened it up and haven’t had any issues since
I’ve seen this happening on other bikes. Some are prone to (which I suspect is due to subpar manufacturing tolerances) and sometimes it’s simply user error (not torqued down enough). I highly recommend (as do the manufacturers in their manuals) checking all bolts on your bike before riding it.
If his suspicion about them leaving the axle loose on purpose turns out to be true, that would be wild. It would be fraudulent behaviour and apart from the obvious maliciousness I can not stress enough how *wildly* stupid one has to be to think it would go unnoticed on an ebike putting upwards of 80nm through it.
It’s very simple- you didn’t tighten it enough. You ALWAYS gotta check this stuff yourself.
Also is your rear tire on backwards?
I think it’s gonna be hard to prove that any issues with the frame/wheel were there before the accident and didn’t come about as a result of it tbh.
You gotta do routine bolt checks
Should be doing bolt checks and make sure they are at the right torque, especially if you have been working on that area. What’s funny the bike gave you a warning and you carried on with another ride. The first 100 miles is key when something can come lose.
I do a rattle check dropping the bike on its wheels listening for any new sounds, before every ride. I do the “M” check once a month, maybe more if I have been out lots – https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/get-active/mcheck/
Tyre looks to be on the wrong way