New Bike Issue

[Mr. Bloom]

I just went to get fitted on my new Madone. I'm going to pick it up tomorrow after the pedals come in

Here's the issue:
There are two paint chips on the frame
It's my understanding that Trek will either:

• Send a new frame
• Discount the price

I'm inclined to take the discount...since I expect chips/scratches are inevitable.

Keep in mind that this is a $4,400 bike and we're now a 4 Trek/2 Madone family...How much should I expect?

[redrhodie]

This is a tough one . Where are the chips? Are they really noticeable? Will it cause long term problems with the carbon fiber? Will Trek replace the frame down the road (if it fails) if they give you a discount now?

I got $600 off my frame due to a teeny scratch on the head tube, a spot that's covered by my cables. My bike's Alu, and it was NOS, so I was already getting a crazy deal on it. If it were carbon, and it was this year's model, I'd want much more than $600 off, and a warranty.

[TxDoc]

I know the discount may sound appealing - but I would recommend to ask for a new frame instead.

[7rider]

Here's the issue:
There are two paint chips on the frame
It's my understanding that Trek will either:

• Send a new frame
• Discount the price

I'm inclined to take the discount...since I expect chips/scratches are inevitable.

Carbon fiber + impact = bad.

Not knowing what the chips look like or what caused them or where they are, you may want to talk to the shop about a new frame. Have they evaluated the frame and found it sound?

[Mr. Bloom]

One chip is on the top tube near the head. The other is on the downtube near where the cage would go. I just talked to another guy locally that had a chip on his new Madone and they gave him 15% off...

There's no evidence of heavy impact, it may have been shipping issues, but I will discuss this with Trek. RunningMommy indicates that Trek is well known for packing their bikes well...

I'm trying to keep perspective on this...if I'm not satisfied by warranty plus discount, I'll simply get a new frame...the worst case scenario is not that bad...

[Mr. SR500]

I tend to lean toward the "make it right approach" - so new bike or maybe frame. My Madone was much nicer finished then Kim's, but had a few flaws (no chips). I was once told Trek keeps their senior painters working on Project 1, I don't really know. Some people clean and polish their bike like crazy (me and Silver), others rarely even clean the chain. If you are content with a discount and a little touch up paint, that might be a real option.

A friend has a big rub spot on his new Cervelo P3, the shop rubbed it out a bit, but he said he'll just put a sticker on it - 6 months later no sticker and I doubt anyone ever notices. He just rides it like crazy.

I'm very anal, but my bike has fallen over a couple times - duh! The worse damage came when I kicked the top tube with my cleat mounting it before RAIN last year - nothing looks bad, just what happen on a bike with 10,000 miles.

My guess is Trek and your LBS will take care of you doing basically which ever you want.

Let us know what happens, and were are the pics?

[bike4ever]

Mr. Silver - Did the chips happen randomly on the floor or was it damage from shipping? If it was damage from shipping, I totally would take the new frame. If it was just random paint chips while on the floor, I'd go for the discount.

Another way to look at it is if they are already willing to send a new frame, then go for the new frame. I know you are anxious to get the new bike; but it won't take them long to send a new frame.

Hope this helps. Got your PM.

[Flybye]

If you take the 15% and later the chips turn out to really be a problem with the carbon frame, will you still have the frame warranty? If so, what the heck, have your cake and eat it too.

[Mr. Bloom]

If you take the 15% and later the chips turn out to really be a problem with the carbon frame, will you still have the frame warranty? If so, what the heck, have your cake and eat it too.

My assumption is "yes", but that would be a deal killer to lose the warranty. To void the warranty would be a red flag on safety...and would conjure up visions of my frame falling apart at 40mph on a downhill

Thanks to all! This has been great feedback and has provoked me to consider other issues as well

[mudmucker]

My take on things like this, is that if you're paying out $ for a high end product, it better be perfect. If you're paying out $4400 for a new bike, it better be perfect. Take 15% off, you're still paying $3740 for a bike. That's alot of money. If you're paying $3740 for a bike, it better be perfect.

If something happens later, then you won't have to deal with it when you're really into it.

This is a pet peeve of mine. Too many times I've shelled out $$ for some high end products only to have them fail or misfunction. I just got a new refrigerator delivered on Wednesday. The compressor is not functioning correctly and now I have to deal with that. Burns me up. I pay alot of money and I expect quality. This is 2008, refrigerator technology is not difficult.

[CarbonCandy]

If you said the other guy got 15%, then if you have the option to get a discount, if you cant get a new frame, you should DEFF get 15% off.

One thing to keep in mind with how the paint chips could happen, have other people taken the bike out for test rides? And because of the price you mentioned, I would also assume you're getting a 5.5, which last time I checked, comes shipped in a clamshell box. Repeating everyone else, check with your dealer :]

[Southside Sally]

Congrats on the new bike! I love my Madone...just got her in June. ( I gotta update my avatar.)

I am of the opinion that when you spend that kind of $$, it's gotta be PERFECT! However, as an attorney, I can tell you that accepting the chip and a discount does not viod the warranty.

Best of luck to you, and ENJOY!