Folks,
I regret to advise that it's come to my attention (thanks Rico!!!) that in my opinion there is a potentially dangerous fault with what appears to be ATLEAST the ProGear CX-400 bikes that I lodged a deal on OzB about several months ago:
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/73242
In short, these bikes were listed and sold stating that the front derailleur was a 'Shimano C202' - HOWEVER the front derailleur that appears to have been incorrectly fitted to all bikes sent out is 'Shimano C050'
Sounds trivial right?
UNFORTUNATELY WRONG
The CX-400 is fitted with an 8 speed (socket) rear cassette (the gears) - and therefore ABSOLUTELY needs a front derailleur that is suited to work with an 8 speed rear cassette.
The Shimano C202 IS CORRECT - and is in Shimano's own technical documents clearly stated as aintended for usage with an 8 speed cassette. But the C202 isn't fitted!!!!!(as stated in the original listing, which you legally bought BASED UPON)
Instead the C050 is fitted, and this (again in Shimano's own technical docs) is stated as only for usage with a 6 or 7 speed rear cassette.
When this was raised with me it IMMEDIATELY explained why I've been constantly having problems with my front derailleur. Even though I had them professionally adjusted it still did not click in perfectly as it SHOULD.
*** OK SO WHAT NOW ***
I immediately flagged this with the organisation who sold these bikes (Global Fitness & Leisure Pty Ltd) - who seem to trade under Lifespan Fitness and also XDS Bikes.
I have both verbally and in writing advised them of this issue. The National Sales Manager for XDS Bikes, Mr Greg Skals telephoned me but I was left VERY disgusted in his response which in short comprised:
- At first stated that the bikes were 'clearance models' and sold cheaply so essentially they 'were as sold' and implied any issue I or others had was baseless.
- Then tried to state that it was the manufacturers fault and not theirs.
- Stated that it was a typo in the Ebay listing
- Stated that this probably only affected 'a few bikes' (completely false my wife has CX-400 from several years ago bought through retailer and it too has C050 derailleur, despite the sales listing saying C202 - so appears models sold over several years are affected).
- Repeatedly stated that I was the only person who has complained about this and therefore it's clearly not a problem (I stated that many users would RIGHTLY assume the bike had properly matched components on it - and so NOT be able to deduce that any gear problems were caused by this - I KNOW I DID!!!!!!)
Mr Skals very reluctantly offered to forward to me two of the correct Shimano C202 derailleur's for my 2 affected bikes.
HOWEVER when I asked him what about other affected buyers of the products he FLATLY REFUSED to do anything at all. I requested that he try to contact buyers who might be affected but not aware via details they have from the original sales, their retail sales network (as these were sold in shops too) and also via a notice on their website.
He flatly refused to do this. He said that if purchasers of the affected bikes contacted him he'd send out the correct part (Shimano C202) free of charge but also refused to pay to have these fitted to affected consumer's bikes - which again I think is poor as the front derailleur came fitted and so people should have to fit it themself is beyond me.
In my personal opinion this is exceptionally poor both professionally and also ethically, as all purchasers of these bikes did so in good faith and yet now when it is shown that knowingly or otherwise incorrect parts were fitted which has caused issues for users (I know of 3 people with these bikes who all have the same problems) and yet if you don't complain directly to them they'll not let you know.
SO WHAT NEXT???
Personally I am lodging a complaint with the NSW Dept of Fair Trading, I'd encourage others to do the same.
I would IF NOTHING ELSE urge all owners of these bikes to check to see if your bike has the incorrect part (Shimano C050 = INCORRECT!!!!) if so send your details and a request that the correct part be sent to:
Mr Greg Skals
National Sales Manager, XDS Bikes
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: <MOD: Personal phone number removed>
As I stated this guy REFUSED to contact ANY BUYERS, despite me putting in writing the faulty part and him agreeing it could be a problem and so should be replaced.
FYI - I just received an irrate call from Mr Skals advising that they would refund me the full purchase price on my bikes and have a courier pick them up to amend the issue - I REFUSED THIS. He was exceptionally rude and in my opinion has no interest in helping people affected by this issue.
Be warned even if your bike seems fine if it has the C050 front derailleur fitted (written on the top of it) then it will NOT work as well as it should have could damage other components of the bike and even lead to a user accident.
Much thanks,
Nikko :-) (shame on XDS Bikes, Lifespan Fitness and Global Fitness & Leisure for NOT atleast contacting your loyal customers and giving them the option of a replacement part!!!! Thats shameful!)
"Hence they made their OzB account and posted to say they'd put the prices back etc etc - and if I recall either gave no excuse or something weak as the rationale for why the prices had in some cases jumped by ~50% overnight!!!!"
I remember it well. They said that they had internal communications problems between departments and that it was a mistake.
Bullsh*t!