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Epic Failure on the Epic
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
So I move to Canberra, in part because of the great riding down here, now I've been here a week and look what happened to my chainstay this morning:(
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is that carbon or alloy chainstay ?
Warranty will get you a new frame if they can't source out the part, look at it that way
My Epic aluminium back end broke at a very similar spot after thee seasons of hard riding. It's a high stress point and when I took it to be repaired the shop said that they keep this spare in stock. Code for we change a few of these.
This is the second time I've had problems with the frame, first time it was replaced no questions asked, hope it goes as smoothly this time.
Funny thing is I've just bought myself a fitness bike, so at least I can keep riding while the Epic is out of action.
Alloy
Hmm... So far I've destroyed 2 rear shocks (brain versions) on my 2009 Epic but no signs of frame failure... It's aluminium too. Guess I shoulda bought a stumpy instead
Hope they come to the party and replace/fix hassle free
what year model Epic is it ? looks pre 2014 frame
my 2013 epic cracked near the bottom bracket. They had no stock of an epic frame locally, they offered the s-works frame for a fee or wait a month for a replacement frame from the US, turned out to be a 2 month wait. Got the newer 2015 model that comes with a new shock at the end.
Originally purchased in 2012, replaced with a 2013 frame in 2013. If the price was right I'd go for an S-Works upgrade rather than wait. I won't get the frame to the shop until Fri, I'll let you know how it goes.
So what is the verdict from Specialized/LBS ?
New frame ?
Still waiting on an answer
ohhh the suspense
Hopefully it all works out for you.
The s-works upgrade they offered was for $1500, the shop might also charge you to swap the parts out, if
you get a new frame(hoping that's the case)
last time it cost $180 for a strip and re-fit, so I'm doing it myself this time.
I think I'd take the S-works upgrade for $1500
Yup, the s-works frame would be the best upgrade you could ask for... Quality carbon frame and prestige... Even better if it includes a front shock too (though doubtful).
Not sure if it is the case but for how few S-Works frames are out there compared to the garden variety Spesh there seems to be a lot of pics of cracked frames on the net.
So Specialized replaced the swing arm, in black, not the same colour as the rest of the bike but it looks ok and it didn't cost me anything so I'm happy.
Something I wasn't aware of that the mechanic told me is for warranty purposes the swing arm is considered part of the suspension system and isn't covered by the life time frame warranty, it's only covered for five years.
Another weasel clause. Hope it works out for you!
Hardly, five years is still better than most manufacturers. I do however know a guy that had to pay for a chainstay on a Demo and it was only just over a year old, same thing, it wasn't considered part of the frame.....
Would call BS on that if you elected to get Fair Trading involved.
That the rear suspension is "not part of the frame" is clearly a joke, and differs from industry norms. For what is essentially a bunch of tubes welded or moulded together, they're charging a lot of money - expectations that you'd get at least 5 years out it is not unreasonable.
Yeah I didn't really pay much attention, never considered buying a spesh so I didn't pay much attention. From what I have read they are one of the better companies to deal with when it comes to warranty claims. Giant are supposedly very good but they have a lot of failures so they have to be good with replacements.
I can't find any Aus warranty info but this is from the UK store-
USEFUL PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE
Every Specialized bicycle and frameset has a useful product life cycle. The length of that useful product life cycle will vary with the construction and materials of the bicycle or frameset, the maintenance and care the bicycle or frameset receives over its useful product life cycle, and the type and amount of use the bicycle or frameset is subject to. Use in competitive events, trick riding, ramp riding, jumping, aggressive riding, riding on severe terrain, riding in severe climates, riding with heavy loads, commercial activities and other types of non-standard use can dramatically shorten the useful product life cycle of a Specialized bicycle or frameset. Any one or a combination of these conditions may result in an unpredictable failure of a Specialized bicycle or frameset that would not be covered by this warranty. ALL SPECIALIZED BICYCLES AND FRAMESETS SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY CHECKED BY AN AUTHORISED SPECIALIZED DEALER for indicators of stress and/or potential failure, including cracks, deformation, corrosion, paint peeling, dents, and any other indicators of potential problems, inappropriate use, or abuse. These are important safety checks and very important to help prevent accidents, bodily injury to the rider and shortened useful product life cycle of a Specialized bicycle or frameset.
No joke Hawkeye, it's clearly stated in the warranty policy, which I never thought to read as when I bought the bike the salesman was quick to point out the Life Time Warranty and of course I thought the swing arm would be covered.
This said I'm not complaining at all, Specialized have been very good to me and once again the bike was repaired no questions asked. I'm simply highlighting something people might not be aware of.
But as much as some companies might like to try contracting out of as much as they can, consumer law imposes some sanity.
Example: Apple had an extremely limited warranty and were getting away with it due to their market power. ACCC (if I recall correctly) took a very different view of their obligations under law, stating it should be at least the life of the phone contract. Guess who prevailed? What was said by ACCC and the court of Apple's treatment of its customers was not what you'd call flattering.
If you think the shop or distributor is being unreasonable you will usually find Fair Trading has your back.
Retailers and distributors don't like getting in FT's crosshairs, and unless you're unfortunate enough to encounter a particularly dim-witted business owner getting them involved usually encourages a greater willingness to do the right thing.
I still think five years for a bike is more than reasonable, that's better than most car warranties and see how one of them goes if you fess up to racing it on a track.
Bikes get a lot of punishment and I happily buy frames with a two year warranty, if I want a better warranty I'd go a Nicolai or Liteville.