Angry almost-newbie - need to vent!

[lunacycles]

I have had to deal with bike damage from couriers before. I ship bikes a lot. It can be very frustrating, drawn out, and in the long run, often futile.

You need to know it was insured and packaged properly. That is your LBS' job to provide that proof.

If you want your claim to be paid you need to be persistent. I hate to say it, but I think these companies hire people just to make the whole process of claims very difficult with the hopes that you will give up. Unfortunately, it is probably the bike shop that has to follow through more than you (assuming they were the ones who actually boxed it up and handed it the courier, and bought the insurance)

If the bike is otherwise okay, I'd probably let go of the claim. I don't know what kind of bike or what kind of fork you had, but a fork replacement isn't usually that big of a deal, and will get you on the bike again fastest. Your LBS should be VERY motivated to work with you on this, especially given the delay you've encountered after entrusting your bike to them, and it would be appropriate for them to offer you a heavily discounted fork if you request it.

[Biciclista]

yes you're right, Margo, unfortunately, but the fact is insurance companies have to make a profit too. It's their job to find out what the exact liability is and pay it.
and in some cases, you have to prove it, and that's part of what is so hard.

[Fujichants]

If your frame is carbon as well, i'd double check everything to make sure nothing else is damaged.

[hilldweller]

Hmmmm.... well bike is STILL here and if I can finish work early today I might take your advice and at least take it into the lbs and see what they say about the cost of a replacement fork and the condition of the rest of the bike. Good idea to get them to check it over in case there's any other damage I haven't spotted (I'm certainly no bike expert LOL). The rear stays are carbon and I think the seatpost is too but the frame itself isn't, so hopefully it's just the fork. You guys are right that a replacement fork would get me on the bike fastest, probably quicker even than a brand spanking new bike.

[lunacycles]

yes you're right, Margo, unfortunately, but the fact is insurance companies have to make a profit too. It's their job to find out what the exact liability is and pay it.

I absolutely agree! However, as a small businessperson I need to make a profit, too.

Let's see, rough analysis: I've paid approximately $6 for insurance per bike/frame I have shipped over the last 13 years. That's about $180 year (30 bikes/yr) x 13 = $2340. Losses I have incurred for damaged bikes as a result of shipping through these couriers = approx $3500. Total costs I have incurred due to paying insurance and having couriers damage my bikes: approx $5840. Total amount the couriers/insurance have paid out to me when I have made claims on those fully insured bikes: $0 .

That seems like a pretty good profit to me!

My point wasn't to bash insurance companies--gotta have insurance, regardless if they pay their claims--but to warn the OP based on my experience shipping bikes, and many stories I have heard from others in the bike industry.

I now take pictures of all of my bikes covered in bubble wrap before I put them in the box, then more pictures of the box once the bike has been put in it and sealed up.

I have even had folks at the desk of one of these couriers tell me not to bother with buying insurance, as it is rare that any claim will be honored (wink wink). But, of course, I insure them, anyway.

[hilldweller]

Wow! You've never had an insurer pay out on any of your bike claims? That's appalling.

I've made my decision - going to hang onto bike , and I saw some pretty blue handlebar tape for it in the shop Being pre-loved as well as abused by couriers it could use a bit of a spruce up. A nice blue seat-bag might look good too if I can find one....

LBS has ordered a new fork, and I took the broken fork and battered cardboard box (minus the rest of the bike) into the couriers to do with what they will. New fork is $300 which is less than I had expected . With luck there will eventually be an insurance pay-out but in the meantime at least I can get on with the bike and if not, I'll forget about the $300 after a while.

New fork is probably two weeks away, so that'll leave 8 weeks to the Graperide Anyone got a training plan for zero to 100k in 8 weeks? It doesn't look like a particularly hilly course which is lucky, but it may still be too much too soon. I guess I'll have a better idea in a couple of weeks

[tulip]

Don't wait until you get your bike up and running to get yourself moving. Any old bike will do, or you can swim, walk, run...just get some aerobic exercise and that will help with your ride.

And yes, you can certainly train for 100k in 8 weeks. There are some good training programs mentioned in these forums (use the Search feature). There are some for an English century in 8 weeks, and a metric century is really not so bad at all.

Just get moving.