It’s rare, but sometimes a bike can experience minor transit damage during shipping. We know this can be frustrating — especially when you’re excited to ride. The good news is that transit damage does not mean your bike is defective. In nearly all cases, the issues are simple, quick to fix, and resolved without needing to return or replace the bike.
Most shipping-related issues affect external components that can be realigned, adjusted, or replaced without impacting the bike’s long-term performance. At Ride1Up, we stand behind you. If you discover any transit-related damage, we will work with you to make it right immediately.
This guide will walk you through:
- The most common forms of transit damage
- how to easily correct
- How to document the issue for further assistance from us
Derailleur hanger
The derailleur hanger on your bike is designed to bend in the event of a impact to protect the more expensive components like the derailleur. This means it is also very easy to bend back straight in the event that yours got knocked in transit.
What this issue looks like:
- Bike shifts poorly or can’t reach all gears
- The derailleur looks angled inward or outward
How to adjust the hanger:
As mentioned before, a bent derailleur hanger is not a big deal and can be easily resolved by either bending the hanger back in place. There are many methods for straightening a derailleur hanger at home but here is a example of one that you can do with the tools that came with your bike.
What to do if the adjustment does not resolve the issue:
- Take a photo showing the bent hanger from behind the bike similar to the example below
- Send this photo in to our knowledgeable customer support team here: Ride1Up Contact Us
Example Photo
Brake Rotor
A rotor can be bumped during shipping, causing slight rubbing. Mild bends can often be straightened; severe cases may require replacement.
What it looks like:
- A periodic scraping or rubbing noise while spinning the wheel
- Rotor appears to wobble side-to-side when spinning the wheel
How to true a rotor:
Just like a derailleur hanger, a brake rotor can be easily bent back straight using a adjustable wrench as shown in the below video.
What to do if the adjustment does not resolve the issue:
- Film a video looking down through the brake caliper showing the rotor wobbling
- Send this photo in to our knowledgeable customer support team here: Ride1Up Contact Us
Example Video:
Wheel
The wheels can be knocked in transit causing a slight wobble when spinning. Much like the brake rotors, mild bends can often be straightened; severe cases may require replacement.
What it looks like:
- A wobble in the rim when the wheel is spinning
- One or more spokes feel looser than most
- A occasional pinging noise while riding
How to adjust the spokes:
The wheel can be adjusted back straight by tightening the loose spokes and loosening overly tight spokes. This can be one without removing the wheel from the bike with a spoke wrench as shown in the video below. this does not have to be perfectly straight and a few millimeters of wobble will not be anything to worry about.
What to do if the adjustment does not resolve the issue:
- Film a video with the wheel spinning slowly and a zip tie close to the rim for a reference
- Send this photo in to our knowledgeable customer support team here: Ride1Up Contact Us
Example Video:
Final notes
All of these issues are common issues that any local mechanic would see on a daily basis. Most of the time they can be easily corrected with the adjustments outlined above but we have you covered if these fail.
