Hi all

I need a bit advice with regards to a bike I brought for Xmas for my daughter. The bike is a 20" mountain bike and I built it up on Xmas eve. That's where the problem started the front wheel was to big to fit into the forks. Normally I would have called the supplier and sent it back but of course it's Xmas eve and my daughter would have been distraught if santa had let her down so I basically bent the forks to widen them to take the wheel. Now either the wheel supplied or the forks were wrong so will there be an issue bending the fork like this, I have read people do it on Google before hand obviously I'm a little nervous now that my daughter will be riding it and they fail. My gut instinct is that they will be fine as she is only just learning to ride and does not off road riding at all.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mhhozyvpu2ec7hi/20161224_231612.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/krwah9f813x48ur/20161227_213602.jpg?dl=0

Couple of pics before and after

Is there a safety washer with a hook / clip that is on the axle and into a hole as well as the axle into the dropouts?

Hi there is no safety washer only a standard one

You really need to take this matter up with the retailer you bought the bike from, if there is a fault in their manufacturing/quality check process, they need to be made aware.

 

I understand the importance of xmas & if I was in your position, I would probably have done the same thing, however, I wouldn't leave them & I would speak to the retailer to get the forks/bike changed.

I had a similar issue with a bike delivered from Halfords. But yours looks much worse.

I put it down to the fork being knocked during transit and slightly pushed inwards / bent.

Like you, my son was arriving a few days later so no time to send it back for a replacement but Halfords didn't argue at all and offered to collect and replace.

I pulled the forks apart enough to allow the wheel and disc brake to fit. It's still tight, but at least it's in there. I'll work a bit mor 'magic' when I need to change the tyre or fix a puncture.

Edited 29 December, 20169 yr by KBPhoto

I contacted the retailer and they are sending out a set of replacement forks. Looks like it's a common issue. It was sports direct and I've heard horror stories about their customer service but all good.

That's good news - but who's paying to have the fork replaced properly?

 

Headsets are about the only bike job that I have never managed to get right yet...

Hi guys

Got the forks through and it was a relatively simple job to replace. I would not buy from sports direct again though! Lesson learned

Muddy fox used to be a quality brand before sport direct got hold of them. Much like Karrimor. As an old school MTBer it saddens me a bit.

But yours was clearly wrong. At least they have set it right for you.

More expensive, but if you want a good kids bike then Frog bikes are excellent.

Muddy fox used to be a quality brand before sport direct got hold of them. Much like Karrimor. As an old school MTBer it saddens me a bit.

Iron Horse are stocked in toys r us - I wonder if they're heading towards the same fate? I remember the Athertons used to ride muddy fox; oh times have changed!

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12730778

Edited 15 January, 20179 yr by Offski