Warranty issue

[Humbie]

Hello

This is my 1st time on a forum so apologies if I break any of the rules!

I have a 2012 Cube Agree GTC Race which I purchased in March 2012 for £1,800. It is full carbon with full Untegra.

Recently a small crack appeared in the frame (the rear of the seatpost) so my LBS sent off the paperwork to arrange a replacement under the Cube warranty.

Since purchasing my bike, the 2013 models have been released. The 2013 Agree GTC Race has a new paint job (that I do not like), is now a mix of Ultegra and 105 and is £200 cheaper. The 2013 GTC SL is the equivalent of my 2012 model as this is full carbon / Ultegra. Again, not that fond of the paint job but it's marginally better than the 2013 Agree GTC race as stated above.

Now, my issue is that Cube have sent a 2013 Agree GTC Race frame/forks to replace my faulty one.

My issue is that 1 - I do not like the colour scheme and 2 - once the bike is rebuilt (with all the parts from my bike) to Jo Bloggs on the street it is going to appear to be the chaeper and lower spec 2013 Agree GTC Race.

I have refused to accept the frame at my LBS and emailed Cube direct. I have stated my issues and that I would accept the exact same frame/forks OR a 2013 Agree GTC SL or SLT (the next model up)

The simply replied the replacement I sent is in their opinion satisfactory. I strongly disagree and am left feeling pretty annoyed.

Hoping I can put this out there and get some feedback as to if anyone else has had similar issues and the outcomes etc, or if I am just asking too much and should just settle for the offer?

Paul

 

[Tom Hooper]

i think the only issue is the colour the spec is what you bought 18month ago and to expect anything more i think is cheeky, if you ask nicly they might have a frame hidden some place that is the same as yours.

 

[Humbie]

The 2013 Agree GTC Race is a mix of 105 and Ultegra where as mine is/was full Ultegra. The 2013 Agree model that comes with the same spec as mine did is the Agree SL. Surely therefore I should be offered the SL model as a replacement?

I am basically asking Cube to replace my broken frame with either the SL (or even the SLT frame) as underneath the paint the frames are the same! I feel like the one offered is going to look like I am riding a lower spec model!

 

[fossyant]

Is there no alternative colours. TBH when looking at a bike most folk check frame then components and not the year and spec. of that year. Not much you can do with off the peg as colours change each year.

 

[oldfatfool]

Vanity, do you think anyone really cares if you appear to be riding a £1600 bike or an £1800 bike? Maybe they will think you are better riding a 2013 bike than a 2012 bike? Whatever you get will have 2012 (if not 2011) Ultegra kit on not a 105 mix. When/ if you sell then it will look like you have spent a few quid upgrading. Be grateful you have a new frame replacing an 18 month old one (if it is indeed the same quality carbon).

 

[Humbie]

Basically no, there is only one colour scheme for each model so if you don't like it you're a bit stuffed (as am I). I was even tempted just to leave it and keep the one I have but the crack is slowly growing so is clearly bad news! Cheers

 

[goody]

Does the new colour scheme clash with your riding kit? Maybe you'd be better off selling the lot on ebay and starting again.

 

[Humbie]

I hear what you are saying but... (!) I care what the bike looks like. Would you accept a replacement if you did not like it? I am grateful they are offering to replace it but after all, it is under warranty. Thanks though!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Sorry - I think you are wrong on this.

The warranty is to replace the frame with a like for like equivalent which they appear to have done with no hassle - so full marks to Cube.

In truth you just have to accept that colour schemes change over the years.

We all have different tastes but why are you so worried. it's a nice bike, it does the job presumably and if you are so concerned about resale then maybe the prospective buyer will absolutely love the colour scheme of the replacement frame.

And crikey, if there is any concern that the beast will be seen as lower spec' on a casual glance by Joe Bloggs then without wishing to be rude at all I think you need a perspective shift there.

 

[Humbie]

Hi - no need to apologise! The point of the post was to get the general opinion of others even if I don't like the answer!

Cheers

 

[ufkacbln]

If I read this correctly the only difference is really the spec.

I (as have many others) will buy a frame with lower spec equipment and then upgrade as bits wear or money becomes available.

Very few of my bikes are equipped with the original kit

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Sell it as a mint bike with no marks on it, sounds like a good deal to me, you can upgrade