Carbon Frame Warranty

[springfan62]

Under Six month old Full Suspension Carbon Mountain bike.

Recently discovered a large crack near the pivot point. Its not had an accident.
It looks like a small stone has popped up and got stuck when the pivot is open and then been crushed by the pivot closing.

Manufacturer are saying its not covered.

My view is thats its a poor design that lets a small stone pop up and cause a frame failure.

Whats everyone's thoughts?

Edited by springfan62 on Tuesday 17th September 16:51

[river_rat]

What brand is it?

Most give a lifetime warranty and I've claimed for 3 broken frames over the years (2 aluminium and one carbon) without any issues at all (Kona x 2 and Trek x 1).

[springfan62]

Don't really want to name the brand yet but its a major one the warranty isn't a Santa Cruz unlimited lifetime frame warranty however.

I am going down the consumer rights act route as I don't think its fit for purpose and the warranty provides less protection than the act in this instance.

It appears to be more of a design flaw than a manufacturing one.

[numtumfutunch]

Ouch!

No help directly from me but Singletrackworld would be the first place Id post to canvass any other people who've had this happen

Good luck

[stuarthat]

Do they offer crash damage replacement ?sounds like you have been unlucky not really the manufacturers fault ,only my opinion.

[springfan62]

New frame incoming, they won't admit liability but it's a goodwill gesture apparently.

Quite happy with that.

[TheTardis]

"My view is thats its a poor design that lets a small stone pop up and cause a frame failure."

"I don't think its fit for purpose"

So you are going to sell it and buy something else?

[ALawson]

I had 3 or 4 replacement frames from Marin in the late 90s and early 00s when they started doing full suspension. I got onto first name terms with their warranty manager!

Sounds like you have had a result. I would be looking for another brand with more agreeable warranty.

[springfan62]

It would be too expensive to sell this bike and buy a different make.

Apart from Santa Cruz I don't think there are many that offer a comprehensive warranty that would avoid this situation entirely.

The plan is to make a small modification to prevent stones kicking up and lodging in the gap between front and rear triangles.


If anyone else finds themselves in this situation if the warranty doesn't explicitly cover it, the Consumer Rights act provides much greater protection as the product has to be fit for purpose.

The retailer would have been liable to pay for a full refund if I had been successful, I don't think they wanted to take that risk.