Argh.......... broken Charge Knife

[potsy]

Foss- I got an E-mail from Charge say they don't deal with the warranty claims but they would pass my details to their UK distributor and get them to deal with Tredz.
Still heard nothing since so will probably just post it back to Tredz and see what happens.

Won't be buying another one, though I have a Spoon on order for the hybrid still, am hoping they are a bit more sturdy, but for £20 no biggie if they are not.

Have put the OE saddle back on the Secteur that I took off because it was so uncomfortable, been on all week on the commute and it's been absolutely fine
Wasn't wearing bib-shorts last year though so maybe that is helping

 

[the snail]

legally the 1yr/2yr warranty isn't binding on you, if it's reasonable to expect a saddle to last longer than that then you are entitled to say it's unfit for purpose - it sounds like it is if they have made the material too thin?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Is it fit quality for purpose? May one reasonably expect a saddle to last more than a year?

If the answers are no and yes then Sales of Goods Act and you want a full refund or replacement REGARDLESS of the warrant:

EDIT go for the refund and put the money towards a Ti railed Brooks

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If this is sold as a Race Saddle (wording is a little woolly) then using it as an every day saddle may be asking too much of it.

 

[fossyant]

EDIT go for the refund and put the money towards a Ti railed Brooks

Wash your mouth out.

Got a Selle Italia XR saddle on at the minute - it's fine, just as comfy.

PS I would say the plastic is only 2-3mm thick where it cracked.

Saddles should last a very long time - can't say I've ever had one fail - only scuffed up after a crash.

 

[fossyant]

If this is sold as a Race Saddle (wording is a little woolly) then using it as an every day saddle may be asking too much of it.

It's not.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

It's not.

OK. There was mention of racing style or the like but as I said it was rather woolly.

 

[fossyant]

Here is a copy of what they said:-

Sorry for the late reply.

Thank you for the feedback on the saddle. We will certainly talk to the manufacturer about this.

The Knife is designed as a lightweight saddle so we reduced the padding. This was uncomfortable so had to introduce extra flex into the base by using a thinner plastic. We aimed the saddle at the road rider so constant movement tends to be minimal compared to offroad use.

We do not deal with warranty here so won't be able to help direct but I'm sure between Wiggle and the UK distributor they should help you out in some way.

Rubbish !

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Here is a copy of what they said:-

Sorry for the late reply.

Thank you for the feedback on the saddle. We will certainly talk to the manufacturer about this.

The Knife is designed as a lightweight saddle so we reduced the padding. This was uncomfortable so had to introduce extra flex into the base by using a thinner plastic. We aimed the saddle at the road rider so constant movement tends to be minimal compared to offroad use.

We do not deal with warranty here so won't be able to help direct but I'm sure between Wiggle and the UK distributor they should help you out in some way.

Rubbish !

AKA we have F*ck3d up the saddle and are washing our hands of it!

 

[fossyant]

AKA we have F*ck3d up the saddle and are washing our hands of it!

Exactly !

 

[ttcycle]

cheeky sods - surely they're trying to worm their way around your statutory rights.

That just sounds like a shoddy design fault and they need to sort it out and make sure they retain a happy customer - looking unlikely at the moment

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Here is a copy of what they said:-

Sorry for the late reply.

Thank you for the feedback on the saddle. We will certainly talk to the manufacturer about this.

The Knife is designed as a lightweight saddle so we reduced the padding. This was uncomfortable so had to introduce extra flex into the base by using a thinner plastic. We aimed the saddle at the road rider so constant movement tends to be minimal compared to offroad use.

We do not deal with warranty here so won't be able to help direct but I'm sure between Wiggle and the UK distributor they should help you out in some way.

Rubbish !

There was a time, not long ago, when Charge cared. Then they got bought out.

 

[fossyant]

Wiggle to the rescue. Got a full refund from them. They have stopped stocking the knife.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Wiggle to the rescue. Got a full refund from them. They have stopped stocking the knife.

Result

 

[dodgy]

Shame, I rate the Charge Knife highly, I have one on my good weather bike and it still looks like new. Quick check on SportTracks and it says I've logged 7875 miles on the saddle, so I'm reasonable happy about that. Just don't like the idea of the saddle failing mid-ride.

All the good brands get bought out eventually, then they lose their customer service focus until nobody buys from them anymore.

I saw the same thing happen to X-Lite from the mountain bike days, snapped 2 of their posts and they more or less told me I was abusing the seatpost. (I never left the ground on my MTB ).

Good on Wiggle, though.