Cracked frame

[iancity]

Giant 2014 TCX SLR2, only got about 1600 miles on, noticed yesterday that there is a crack 3/4 of the way around the top tube, 5cm in from the seat post. I think it may have been there a while as I remember it catching my eye but I initially just thought it was the GIANT decal sticker coming off - foolishly ignored it and just carried on riding!

Went to clean it last night in preparation for a new commute and looked closer where it became obvious its a crack - took it to LBS today, where they expressed amazement that a Giant frame was cracked, said in his 7 years selling bikes only one had been returned before. He said he will ring Giant and see what they say...

So, while waiting for the LBS to get back in touch, where do I stand here? Bike has not been misused in any way, no offs or crashes at all - LBS did mention frames have a 'limited lifetime warranty' but didnt explain further. What is likely to happen - anyone any experience?

Thanks

Ian

 

[ianrauk]

@martint235 also suffered a cracked Giant frame iirc

If there's a lifetime warranty on the frame, it's usually only from new with the present owner. And if that's the case they will offer you the same frame or a better one.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

They expressed amazement with a straight face? Cracks are plentiful on just about all aluminium frames (and titanium). Giants are by no means immune and in our workshop we replaced a good dozen Giants per year, particularly a certain style of MTB.
You'll get a similar or better frame but sometimes if the frame is old you are stuck with having to buy newer components as standards move on. Welding thin aluminium tubes in places that undergo plenty of stress cycles per ride is not easy and an acceptable failure rate is about 1%, I guess.

 

[iancity]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I have had it from new and am the original owner, so looks liek it should be replaced no problem (although still no word from LBS).
Any idea of the timescale we are looking at, only dropped it off this morning and am desperate to get out :-(

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I have had it from new and am the original owner, so looks liek it should be replaced no problem (although still no word from LBS).
Any idea of the timescale we are looking at, only dropped it off this morning and am desperate to get out :-(

Be patient. They have to find a frame in the same style, colour and size as yours.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I have had it from new and am the original owner, so looks liek it should be replaced no problem (although still no word from LBS).
Any idea of the timescale we are looking at, only dropped it off this morning and am desperate to get out :-(

Specialized turn their replacements around in around two weeks, no idea if Giant are the same. Don't forget the lbs will need to build the bike and they may want to charge you for that.

 

[iancity]

Thanks for the replies. Playing a bit of devils advocate here, but why should I pay for the bike to be built up again? I paid £1000 for a bike that has less than 1600 miles on and its Giants fault that its now in a workshop, I understand the LBS cant do the work for nothing but should they not claim the cost of building it up back off Giant? Its certainly not my fault the bike has a cracked frame and I shouldnt be out of pocket - should I?
To be 100% honest I dont know if I agree myself with what I am saying () I readily accepted what superleeds had to say, it wasnt until somoe queried why I should have to pay anything that it made me wonder ....

 

[Spiderweb]

As far as I know Giant will pay/credit the Local Bike shop/dealer for the labour charges. There should be no cost to yourself. This certainly happens with Specialized.

 

[gbb]

when I cracked the frame on a former Bianchi, it was replaced proto but my LBS did want to charge for swapping everything over.
Trouble is. it might depend on the LBS's honesty or their relationship with the supplier..you just don't know if it's right to have to pay. Did mine myself in the end.

 

[iancity]

Be patient. They have to find a frame in the same style, colour and size as yours.

I remebered this when i went to pick bike up today. My amazing black and red cross bike has now been turned into an all white jobby, but with my original black and red forks left on. It looks awful , to put it mildly :-(
Story is i turned up today to collect the bike, only to be treated to this white monstrosity. I was told by the lbs that they were surprised it was white as well (oh, and just forgot to tell me about it in advance, they just waited till i turned up to collect to inform me of the colour change).
So, where do i stand - it is an upgraded frame, but in a colour i hate. It would be better if it was all white but they have kept my original (black) forks on (and provided me with the white upgraded ones in a box) as it was too complicated (i would need a new wheel) to put the matching white forks with the frame, or so i was told.
I dont no wat to do, just rode home in disbelief really, my black bike was amazing, loved it, yet now i have a white with black forks horror thru no fault of my own. What would you guys do?

 

[Milkfloat]

Personally I would not accept the mismatch. I don't think you have any choice but to accept the white frame as there isn't a black one around, but the fork problem would be too much for me.

Why does your wheel not fit? Is one thru axle or disc brake? It could just be laziness on behalf of the lbs.

 

[outlash]

It would be better if it was all white but they have kept my original (black) forks on (and provided me with the white upgraded ones in a box) as it was too complicated (i would need a new wheel) to put the matching white forks with the frame, or so i was told.

As Milkfloat has pointed out, I'd guess your original forks and wheel use a quick release system while the new fork are thru axle ones. If it was me, I'd argue with the LBS it isn't as it should be and either a new front wheel with the right fixing or monetary compensation to get said wheel (swapping forks over isn't a tricky job) would be fair.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I remebered this when i went to pick bike up today. My amazing black and red cross bike has now been turned into an all white jobby, but with my original black and red forks left on. It looks awful , to put it mildly :-(
Story is i turned up today to collect the bike, only to be treated to this white monstrosity. I was told by the lbs that they were surprised it was white as well (oh, and just forgot to tell me about it in advance, they just waited till i turned up to collect to inform me of the colour change).
So, where do i stand - it is an upgraded frame, but in a colour i hate. It would be better if it was all white but they have kept my original (black) forks on (and provided me with the white upgraded ones in a box) as it was too complicated (i would need a new wheel) to put the matching white forks with the frame, or so i was told.
I dont no wat to do, just rode home in disbelief really, my black bike was amazing, loved it, yet now i have a white with black forks horror thru no fault of my own. What would you guys do?

That's the dilemma of these long guarantees.
I would live with the black fork for now or have it painted white. The other fork is an advantage for you because soon you'll be able to upgrade to a through-axle wheel. Keep it. Sooner or later you will have to change that front wheel and then you're onto the latest - dare I say it - technology.

There is a price to pay for superlight equipment. Stuff just cannot be made super light and durable.

 

[adamhearn]

I'm sure the white frame and black forks look pretty bad (having said that I have a silver bike with black forks...). Do you know why the forks will not fit?

 

[iancity]

Just an update incase anyone comes across this thread in future!
Forks would not fit as you have guessed, they are through axle and so dont go with the disc wheels I have. I wrote an email to LBS this morning explaining really not happy, have a mismatch of a bike through no fault of my own - got a phone call from them couple of hours later, here were my choices, keep white frame, get new forks put on and new wheels all at Giants cost, or get 2016 frame (which is mostly black) fitted instead (this would be identical to my original frame/forks.
I'm tempted at this moment to go for the new fork and wheels, might not be my accepted colour but I can probably live with it for a 'free' upgrade.
Chuffed with Giant to be honest, although they could have offered to do the fork/wheels at the start without me having to complain. Happy with end result though...