Cracked frame(?)

[zoom-zoom]

Geez, that is really crappy. Specialized could have used my hubby's weight to deny frame replacement (he's generally 225-250#...6'2" guy who looks more like a football player/decathlete than a cyclist), but they didn't give him any crap. Certainly would make me think twice about a Trek/Gary Fisher in the future.

[Jo-n-NY]

Same response from Trek for a person in our bike club. His bike is only 13 months old. I got really angry when they told him they wanted to cut the top tube. I think has changed with the way they are processing these warrenty claims. I wouldn't want the bike after the cut it.

[ny biker]

Looking at the Calfee website (http://calfeedesign.com/repair), I think they could repair it even with the top tube cut, though I'm sure that would increase the cost of the repair. Their repairs have a 10-year warranty.

I'm going to call the bike shop with more questions and to get a full picture of the total costs involved, including costs to strip the components if I send it to Calfee and the cost to rebuild the repaired/new frame.

I would also like to try to find out what kind of impact Trek thinks caused the crack. It runs along the length of the top tube. I'm wondering if this could be caused while riding, such as by hitting a pothole, or if it's something that would be caused by an object striking the frame.

[ny biker]

Well alrighty then. I decided to go ahead and have Calfee make the repair, without getting a final warranty answer from Trek.

I'll go through all the details, in case it helps anyone else in a similar situation.

First, here is an interesting article on carbon care, from the LBS website.

http://thebikelane.com/articles/carb...care-pg699.htm

I confirmed with the manager that my frame was not damaged by the handlebar turning too fast and smashing into the top tube (based on the location of the crack).

So. Whether I get the frame repaired or get a new one, there would be a labor cost to rebuild it afterwards, which would be about $50-75.

However, if I got a new frame (whether covered under warranty or not), there would be some incompatibility with my current components due to differences between the 2010 Madone (my bike) and the newer frames. I don't remember them all, but for example the seat tube is different and the way the front derailleur attaches to the frame has changed. So I'd be looking at a couple of hundred dollars cost for components to work with the new frame.

If the frame is not covered under warranty, it would cost more than $1000 for a new one, after the discount from Trek's replacement program.

Looking at the information on Calfee's website and the size of the crack, the LBS manager estimated it would cost $400 to repair, including painting the repaired area.

If I have to buy a new frame, a conservative estimate of the cost would be 3x the cost of that repair ($1000 plus some new components).

If I have Trek cut the top tube, and then I decide to have the frame repaired, I expect the cost of the repair to be $600 at least, maybe more.

If Trek cuts the top tube, decides the crack was caused by a defect, and sends me a new frame, I still have to pay a couple hundred dollars for new components.

So, although part of me really wants a final decision from Trek regarding defect vs. damage caused by me, I don't want to risk the higher cost of having to pay for a new frame, or even repairing the frame after Trek cuts it. And I don't want to have to get any new components. Therefore I told them to have Trek ship the bike back to the LBS, where they will remove everything from the frame and send it to Calfee for repairs.

Of course it's possible that Calfee will say the repair will cost more than we're expecting, but based on the information in that Velonews article I am optimistic that our guesstimate is accurate.

Calfee says 3 weeks for the repair, plus it will take time to ship there and back, so I think I'm looking at 5-6 weeks from now before I see my bike again.

The only good thing about this is that it didn't happen during the spring or summer.

[redrhodie]

Wow, it sounds like Trek has discovered a huge loophole in their warranty. I'm sure most people would do what you're doing, to avoid a more costly option. I guess the warranty is always at their discretion, but this makes it even more expensive for you should they rule against you. That really sucks.

One of the 2 Specialized frames I mentioned above was repainted without the decals, and it looked better. It was also cheaper. You should consider that, because why would you want to display their logo when they've not honored their warranty?

Well, I really hope you get your bike back soon, and it's as good as it was. You seem to be handling this very well.

[Blueberry]

Thanks for posting your experience.

That really stinks. I have not been a carbon person (for a lot of reasons), but I'm now starting to consider a tri bike in a few years (and once I feel like I've earned it). It will likely be carbon. I can guarantee it won't be Trek. That is not IMO an appropriate way to treat a customer (cause more damage to see if they will cover it). I would love to know what percent they actually decide to warranty....

FWIW I think you're making a wise decision. However, I hope that your LBS will share your dissatisfaction with trek and steer their customers towards other lines.

[TsPoet]

FWIW I think you're making a wise decision. However, I hope that your LBS will share your dissatisfaction with trek and steer their customers towards other lines.

I've been following this thread out of curiosity and I agree, I'd love to have people know about this, and I'd like Trek to know that people know.

Calfee will do a fabulous job, though.

[zoom-zoom]

I've been following this thread out of curiosity and I agree, I'd love to have people know about this, and I'd like Trek to know that people know.

Perhaps someone should direct them to this thread...

As for new graphics on the repainted frame, I would definitely not have Trek's branding associated with it in any positive fashion. They've not done right by you or other cyclists, from the sound of things.

[Brandi]

I've been following this thread out of curiosity and I agree, I'd love to have people know about this, and I'd like Trek to know that people know.

Calfee will do a fabulous job, though.

I am just ticked! There should be no question! Someone should send trek a link to this thread so they can see what their business model is getting them! I won't buy from them knowing now this is how they handle their customer's after less then a year! Not cool at all!