Dave's Blog

Maintenance Log
I recently compiled a list of the maintenance issues I’ve had with my Trek FX+, I thought it worth keeping somewhere. That place is here:

09th May 2011 – Test Ride & Purchased

10th May 2011 – Picked Up

14th May 2011 – Taken back to Fudges, next day pickup. Lights not working, problem with wiring fixed, also had kickstand removed, noticed a slight grinding noise on journey home. No charge.

19th May – Constant grinding noise around 15-17mph and on application of rear brake

20th May – Taken back to Fudges, same day pickup. Grinding was due to a faulty brake block, the metal backing was twisted and rubbing against the wheel rim. Block replaced. No charge.

24th May – 100 miles

14th June – 200 miles

24th June – 300 miles

27th June – Taken back to Fudges, next day pickup. Broke the saddle and a spoke on the rear wheel snapped off. Saddle was replaced for free with a generic one, spoke was replaced at the cost of £1 for the spoke and £15 for the servicing. Fudges suggested that I avoid pot holes and bumping up and down the kerb to prevent spoke damage.

Broken Saddle

07th July – 400 miles

14th July – Taken back to Fudges, next day pickup. Snapped a spoke and buckled the rear wheel. Spoke was replaced at the cost fo £1 for the spoke and £15 for straightening the wheel up.

05th August – 500 miles

06th August – Taken back to Fudges, same day pickup. Broken spoke on the rear wheel, spoke was replaced for free and £15 for the servicing. Fudges suggested using a backpack rather than a pannier to try and keep the weight off of the back wheel.

14th August – Taken back to Fudges, same day pickup. Broken spoke on the rear wheel, spoke was replaced at the cost for £1 for the spoke and £15 for the servicing. Fudges suggest that if it happens again, to replace the rear tyre with a wider one to help absorb the impact.

16th August – 600 miles

17th August – Taken back to Fudges, 2 week pickup. Broken spoke on the real wheel. At this point nothing I can do other than lose 2-3 stone overnight can be recommended. After seeing people complain on the internet I’ve asked them to go back to Trek with the issue and see what Trek has to say, I’m starting to lose my patience.

30th August – Picked up from Fudges. Trek sent a completely new set of heavier gauge spokes, the rear wheel was rebuilt using the new spokes with longer reinforced nipples for strength. Also a wider puncture proof tyre (Specialized Infinity Armadillo Tyre 700 x 38) was added to the rear wheel to help cushion impacts. Cost £25 for the new rear wheel, no service or other parts charged.

Broken Spoke

31st August – Taken back to Fudges, same day pickup. A constant ‘pinging’ noise on wheel revolutions didn’t sound quite right. New nipples were too long for the custom spokes provided by trek, reinforced nipples replaced with shorter ones and the wheel was rebuilt. No charge.

09th September – Taken to Evans Cycles Croydon, same day pickup. Pedals replaced with DMR V8 pedals in Black. Cost £28. I used Evans as they are nearby work and the constant grinding and squeaking from the pedals had gotten to the point where I was embarrassed to cycle down the street with such a cacophonous accompaniment.

20th September – 700 miles

21st September – Taken back to Fudges, next day pickup. Rear tyre shredded by a piece of metal near Sutton. Replacement tyre (Specialized Infinity Armadillo Tyre 700 x 38), servicing and new inner tube. £55

10th October – 800 miles

15th October – Taken back to Fudges. Rear mech has completely torn out of the engine casing, the mech spins but independently of the wheel! Looks like a sort of stress fracture to me, the guys at the shop couldn’t believe it or even work out how it happened but my guess is that the stress on the wheel that was breaking the spokes has transferred to the next weakest part. This doesn’t bode well. The wheel is going to be sent back to Trek to be completely replaced.

Rear mech torn from engine casing

06th November – Bike repaired. Entirely new back wheel, again with thicker spokes. Free of charge.