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My bike is currently in Evans being repaired following a rock strike which took out my rear mech, cassette and load of spokes. Old setup was X9 mech, X7 shifter, sunrace cassette. It worked, although everything was getting a bit old and tired anyway.
I've replaced with new mech hangar, sunrace cassette, SRAM GX mech and shifter and gone for an oval chainring whilst at it.
They are having trouble getting it set up correctly. Can get smooth shifting one way, but then it won't come back the other way. The mechanics say there is play on the bolt on the mech which shouldn't be there, so I've replaced with another one but there's the same issue, 2 faulty mech's seems unlikely.
Could it be something to do with the oval ring!?
Having had a similar set up work fine already, I don't see why this setup shouldn't work as expected.
I'm stuck in a shift pattern at the moment meaning I can't sort i<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">t myself. Need the bike back for ardrock!!</span>
Does play in the bolt on the mech sound like a likely cause of shifting issues?
The mechanics say there is play on the bolt on the mech which shouldn’t be there
Assuming its the bolt holding it to the frame, they always have play in my experience with Sram.
If the mech isn't returning then it's usually a cabling issue, the outer was replaced at the same time I assume? They should be able to do a lot of the checking just by moving the mech by hand.
Did you supply the parts to the shop? Otherwise tell them to sort it, they're supposed to be the experts so if they can't fix it get it away from them (and don't pay in full)
Oval ring, no. Play in a bolt, possible but which bolt? Presumably you're also fitting a new chain?
Mostly likely source would be the cable so I'd check the routeing and the cable ends to check nothing is causing friction.
I think they mean the bolt which screws the mech into the hangar.
I've applied the parts because the guy at Evans suggested I do that, I'll be able to get them wicket from CRC than they can get them through their own supplier and they price match anyway!!
All cables are being replaced, they say they're happy with the routing, it is internal but only the length of the down tube with no severe bend!
I'm a bit buggered because I'm stuck at work on long days. I'm only able to do simple jobs myself, I've never tried to set up a mech before and i want a proper job doing in time for ardrock rather than bodging it myself!!
All sram b-bolts tend to have a little play ime, usually it's fine and they come like that, though I'm finding on my eagle mech the slop has got much worse with use.
Shifting one way but not the other sounds like a bent hanger if you've had an impact, or possibly the outer cable is a little worn or the cable is snagging somewhere, especially if shifting poorly going to a smaller sprocket.
Edit: just seen the hanger is new, maybe ask to put an alignment tool on it just to check?
They have a bit of play when new, more play will develop as they wear and shifting will deteriorate.
Has the new mech hanger been aligned? (they are normally "close enough" out the box, but 11s needs it to be perfect)
Sram 1x rear mechs are quite fussy on B adjust and chain length being correct.
I take it the sunrace cassette is compatible with the mech/shifter?
If they cant set it up or identify the issue then I would suggest taking it to somebody that can.
B tension screw
Yep, they are compatible.
Could it be as simple as the b-tension screw. I'd like to think they'll have tried that!
Have they used the red plastic guage that comes with the mech to set the b screw, the eagle mech are very particular on the setting of the b screw hence the guage
Could it be as simple as the b-tension screw. I’d like to think they’ll have tried that!
Could be, however we are trying to diagnose an issue over the internet with limited information, all people can do is list common issues or issues they have encountered.
Evans has a range of mechanics from competent to incompetent.
I have a couple of Evans built or serviced bikes in just now for rectification work, some is just basics like limit screws, b tension, chain length, road front mech support plates not fitted, support screws not engaged. I have had Evans fit incompatible components to customers bikes, also real PDI basics like cassette lockring slack. Some mechanics clearly do not read the component manufacturers installation manuals, or if they do so they disregard them. I assume some are also working under time pressure (eg pdi a bike in 20 min), lack of time to read tech docs for new products etc.
Bike shop mechanic competency, training and work environment vary hugely, also the pay is not great so people often move on, the quality of work therefore varies wildly.
Assuming all components are functional, you install and adjust as per the manufacturers instructions.
If the result is non functional you work through common potential causes in a logical manner, eg bent mech hanger, cable sticking, play in freehub etc etc. You also have less common issues like a mech hanger mounting/cassette position outwith the derailleur manufacturers specification. There are sometimes know issues that are not recalls, I had an issue setting up a brand new Sram road 1x rear derailleur, phoned Sram tech, described the issue and the shifter was replaced under warranty as some are know to stick internally.
If they cant make it work they should be coming back to you with a reason why.
You are paying for their time, equipment and expertise.
(not trying to go on an anti Evans rant, just based on personal experience there appears to be no guarantee of quality of service)
My GX set up with oval chainring set up as every other drivetrain system I've ever set up, was a doddle, however I did have a problem with the first mech with the main attachment bolt. it felt very stiff in the mech hangar so I unscrewed it fearing I had cross-threaded it and the bolt came out of the rear mech. I tried to re-assemble but there was some funny circlip and wave washer arrangement and I simply didn't have the tools or correct number of hands to re-assemble so sent it back to wiggle, got a replacement rear mech and mech hangar (the first few threads were a bit mangled from my cross-threading) and all was fine and dandy after that.
I bit shocked that a bike shop can't sort it out though.