I am really, really gutted!

[Justin S]

Gutted.............. it rides so nice............ I know the Cannondale name has an alternative............but I am really, really gutted.
Found the receipt...........Here we go for a warranty replacement......

[MrBarry123]

Oh. What a stter.

Fingers crossed the warranty comes good.

[joshcowin]

How did it happen?

[Justin S]

joshcowin said:

How did it happen?

Just out on the ride today. Decided to clean the chain and gears, when I got back home, so chucked it in the bike stand and then I saw it. I have googled this frame and cracks and seems to be a few images up of a very similar failure on those ones.
Have emailed the place I bought it from with the photos and we will see what happens from there. I will report back when I hear

[BenGismo]

Just so we know: I assume it's a Cannondale Flash 29er?

[Justin S]

BenGismo said:

Just so we know: I assume it's a Cannondale Flash 29er?

Yes indeed. They dont do these frames now, so we will see what they say.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

TBF to cannondale, their warranty is very good. I had a tandem mtb with a twisted rear triangle.

C sorted it and paid for the frame swap.

[Justin S]

Not a huge amount of progress on this. Cannondale have asked why I changed the standard seatpost for a Thomson layback post. I had to send photos on how much the post is in the frame, which is about 7 inches inserted, so plenty. Changing a seatpost is something I guess they will lean on to kick the warranty claim out, but its not really an undone thing to do, especially when you have a longer upper body than legs like me. Its easier than a stem, as the 'dale has different size steerer for the lefty than all the other bikes making options very limited.
This only puts the saddle back 16mm , which is no more than you could put the saddle back in the rails, but I like to keep the saddle clamped in the middle of the rails, to be more comfortable.
https://www.bikethomson.com/wp-content/uploads/201...
Lets see where they go next week with this.............

[aka_kerrly]

Shame about your frame and it would seem rather harsh for a warranty claim to be rejected because of your seat post (which actually looks like a good idea, i might have to investigate further)

[gazza285]

Justin S said:

Not a huge amount of progress on this. Cannondale have asked why I changed the standard seatpost for a Thomson layback post....

Cannondale warranty says,

"This limited warranty is void if the bicycle is subjected to abuse, neglect, improper repair, improper assembly, lack of proper maintenance according to the owner’s manual, alteration, modification, installation of incompatible parts, corrosion, an accident or other abnormal, excessive, or improper use."

You can see what's coming here, I hope not for your sake, but there is their get out clause.

[Justin S]

gazza285 said:

Justin S said:

Not a huge amount of progress on this. Cannondale have asked why I changed the standard seatpost for a Thomson layback post....

Cannondale warranty says,

"This limited warranty is void if the bicycle is subjected to abuse, neglect, improper repair, improper assembly, lack of proper maintenance according to the owner’s manual, alteration, modification, installation of incompatible parts, corrosion, an accident or other abnormal, excessive, or improper use."

You can see what's coming here, I hope not for your sake, but there is their get out clause.

I can too, but fitting a 27.2mm post in place of a 27.2mm post is probably better than a smaller post and a kit kat wrapper shim. We will see, as even changing a saddle maybe deemed unsuitable or handlebar grips !. The bike is a cross country bike and thats what I do and is built for that. I hope they say yes , as currently cant afford an Ibis DV9 as a replacement and be fitting the lefty on it also............

[Justin S]

Great news.................. a frame is coming my way as Cannondale are sending one. Its a 2012 and the orange bits on mine are green, but not an issue in my eyes. Mine was a 2013 , although bought in 2015. So, I have requested the frame coming here , via Pauls Cycles and I have time to get the old one stripped down and all parts cleaned and ready to re-assemble.
Thanks Cannondale and Pauls. I am missing the 29 er for fast XC riding currently and love this bike. Its not the cutting edge , but unless you try a lefty , its amazing.

Edited by Justin S on Tuesday 26th May 10:58

[gazza285]

Good news.

[Justin S]

Hopefully the frame will be with me in the next few days as the bike shop have it now. They will send it out straight away, they advised me today. They dont want the old frame back, just a photo showing the bottom bracket cut out of the frame. Not sure I could do that !! It would like cutting a limb off .
I have new gear cables to fit also and the frame protection tape is here also, so its ready for the delivery.

[Justin S]

2 things needed today.
1/ Cut up the broken frame


2/ Cover the new frame in frame protection and build it back up again.




Just needs to get dusty again before tomorrows weather change

Thank you Cannondale and Pauls Cycles for sorting this out so quickly in this weird time.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

Don't forget to turn part of the frame into a crash of the month trophy.

[Justin S]

I cut the frame up into little bits . I never crashed this frame at all, so cant claim that. I had a look into the top tube where the crack was and there was 2 other cracks in there. I have the down tube and will nail that onto the garage wall

[BenGismo]

Wow, that is really great news. I'm so glad that they replaced it for you.

In the back of my mind I thought, this guy has no chance of Cannondale replacing his 7 year old frame. They are just going to say its due to seatpost, car mounting or crash damage etc....

So great result. It does take a good bit of effort to move all the parts over and rebuild but its a good time to get new bottom bracket and headset races/bearings replaced if they are anything more than a few years old. Everything can be cleaned to near new since all parts are off the bike. You end up with a bike that looks and feels like new! Great result.

I love my 29ers so I know it must be a pain to be without your bike, but you have a nice new frame/bike to be riding once its all put together !

Edited by BenGismo on Tuesday 2nd June 20:08

[Justin S]

Cheers Ben. All the bits were scrubbed clean , new cables fitted and one BB bearing and one bearing in the front wheel, true the wheels, new tyres , to get it from 95 % to 110% . finished photo is above. Took 2 hours for the frame protector to go on and still have a few bubbles to sort and 45 mins to get the bike built. Picture in rides photos of todays spin out to test it, but its such a fantastic bike to ride, something I cant explain. It is so nimble and quick. I did weigh it tonight and is a smidge over 11kg , with XT kit on it. Managed 19 miles and 1000ft ride tonight in 1 1/2hrs and was buzzing. Hoping the weather forecast is wrong tomorrow as keen to get out again, albeit looks quite second hand again already with the grime and dust.

[davidc1]

Nice bike. And a good result.
My main bike is a 2012 cannondale sl1 26 mountain bike. So similar to your bike. Same vintage. Also from pauls.
Bike is epic. Nice laid back riding position.
I just got back from 18miles / 90 min as well!