Is my brand new bike goosed?

Received a brand new bike yesterday. I only bought it for the frame, planned to reuse the components on another bike. Because of this the shop didn’t build it up as they usually would, and removed the bb before handing over (so I can fit di2). The bike had both wheels on it however, and the chain still fitted

so last night stripped the bike and refitted the di 2 groupset. With the bike In the work stand I went to fit wheels, this is when I noticed 2 issues.

issue 1- there is a gouge in the chainstay by the cassette. Can’t see it with wheel fitted. The bike has never been peddled (it has no crank) but looks like the chain has been caught between cassette and frame. Although it looks like a fair bit of force would be required to do it.  I’m 99% sure I didn’t do removing the wheel and it’s not happened in use. May be purely cosmetic but not ideal.

issue 2 – and this is far more of an issue. When I put the front axle in, I screwed in half way very easily then was met with resistance. If however you put the wheel in with the bike in the ground it screws in just fine. On inspection the threads are an absolute disaster.

bike is with the shop now, waiting to see what they say. They agree the fork is goosed.

Now the bike is a giant. So I fully expect them to claim the bike had been worked on so not their issue. However I can’t possibly see how anything I’ve done would cause the front fork issue. You should be able to fit a front wheel in a stand without worrying about cross treading a fork, I’ve done it hundreds of times before. And likewise if I’ve cross threaded it, how come it went half way in absolutely fine?

sweating a bit awaiting a call from the lbs to confirm what giant say..

Issue 1 – could it have been caused by the LBS when removing the BB?

Issue 2 – most bikes are shipped with the wheels strapped to the frame, so someone had to fit the wheel for the first time. That would have been the LBS when building it for you. I’d almost always build the bike on a stand, so would have expected the LBS to notice the problem right away.

Just reject it. Not ridden, not in acceptable condition. If the shop refuses contact your credit card company.

Just reject it

I think because I stripped it down of all the original components that horse has probably bolted, other wise I would have. Not that anything I would have done could have cause the 2 issues

I think because I stripped it down of all the original components that horse has probably bolted

your statutory rights would still cover you if it was a manufacturing defect (i.e. not something caused by you or the shop)

Wasn’t there a thread fairly recently about how Giant wanted you to use a authorised mechanic for pretty much anything, or it was grounds to reject any warranty claim?

Yup! Would not buy one, personally.

Although there was the crazy giant thread. I don’t think that they sheets use that excuse. I think they were digging the heels in one trust specific issue. Also this is a warranty issue its just basic consumer rights

I can’t see why they won’t do you a new fork. That’s clearly within your rights as a consumer. The scratch might be harder

I had a giant frame replaced on warranty last summer, no questions asked and arrived in about 5 days.

I think the perception of Giant on here is all based on one incident that was heavily reported here and seems they handled it badly but I really don’t think it’s a blanket policy across the whole company. They’re a pretty huge organisation, there’s always going to be discrepancies and some genuine disgruntled customers at that size.

I’m confused as to how the fork can be goosed if you can fit the axle with the bike on the ground. If it were properly knackered surely it wouldn’t fit at all?

My thoughts mr p

but the bike shop had same issue

So I heard back from the shop and I frankly can’t believe giant’s response

basically they have said they’ll replace the fork, but the wait time for it is around a month. This on a brand new bike..imo they should have just replaced the entire thing, the entire bike is available now

the bike shop has also said this is shoddy. So much so that they (without me even pushing them) have bought a new bike and will take the fork off that for me and put the fork they eventually receive on the one they are ordering in

so a good result for me, but no thanks to giant

Good work from your lbs – crap from Giant.

What happened about the gouge in the chainstay?

It’s purely cosmetic and you can’t see it if the wheel is in. Given I’ve stripped the bike it’s more hassle than it’s worth to build back up for that

if it causes an issue further down the line the lbs have assured me they will sort me out. I’m ok with the result. But giant are just shoddy. That said I like their bikes so keep buying them, so more fool me!

Quelle surprise – Giant are pretty shite aren’t they. I will never buy anything from Giant.

Top stuff from the LBS though. They need a name check….

That’s good news from the LBS.

Giant – seemingly normal ‘service’ levels.

They sound like a really helpful LBS.

I think you should give them a shout out.

Ffs…

so I got the bike back with the new fork fitted, it transpires there a minor paint defect on the replacement fork so I’m going to get another new one, but that’ll be 2 months away. in the mean time I should have a bike I can ride..

but..I asked the bike shop to cut the steerer to my desired stack height (ie I said I want x amount of spacers under the stem). I’d usually run a spacer above the stem but lbs told me not necessary, and the bike doesn’t come with one above the stem from new. Removed the stem today and it transpired the bottom of the steerer was cut a whole cm below the top of the stem, so much so that the top stem bolt was above the top of the steerer!

I had already torqued the stem to 4nm, can’t see any damage but that seems like a sure way to crush a steerer tube. Have removed a spacer but bit worried I may have damaged the steerer. Am I being paranoid?

No you’re not being paranoid… the top bolt should never be above the line of the top of the steerer. At 4nm you shouldn’t have crushed the carbon steerer if the protector bung was in place properly, but not advisable to ride it at that height. Sounds like the LBS cut the steerer too short, or maybe they pinched the fork off a smaller size with shorter headtube – either way, if a rider needs a certain height its not acceptable to be made to ride lower through no fault of their own…

For two months I’d suck it up and ride in the more aero position. The steerer will be fine.

They cut the steerer too short. A couple of mm, fine, but a cm? Nope.

Sounds like they need a less ham-fisted workshop.

I think because I stripped it down of all the original components that horse has probably bolted,

Taking the wheels off and attempting to adjust the stem (which is all you’ve done to reveal the various defects) does not constitute a voided warranty. Giant are probably delighted that their abysmal performance detailed in the previous thread is having a deterrent effect, though.

Well the original issue was on giant. However the steerer being cut too short was very much on the lbs. so long as the steerer hasnt been damaged then I’ll happily ride it as is for 2 months and just take out a spacer . But if I hadn’t checked I’d have been riding it like that for months with only one bolt clamping the steerer🤔

If the current fork is off another bike, I’m guessing they didn’t cut anything it’d be pre cut for the bike it came off?

doesn’t excuse the shoddiness of fitting it to your spacer requirements and ignoring basic safety and common sense in the process by leaving the gap.
I’d be going back to the shop. Maybe a new trainee or something. Hate to think he/she repeats same mistake on any future builds they’re working on.  You might be saving someone else a nasty crash down the line.