Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike Warranty

After reading quite a few posts I have seen that people have had a few broken parts or parts that just didn't quite hold up under weight on their new bikes. What should I expect to be covered under the warranty on a new bike?

One LBS (BTW this is the one who most people tell me is very customer focused) who is recommending a Trek Navigator 3 says that only parts that can be proven to be a manufactures defect will be covered and otherwise it is considered my fault. I have seen quite a few people here that have had good luck with the Trek warranty.

The other LBS that I have been to and am looking at a Giant keeps insisting that no matter what I do to the bike it is covered either under the bike warranty or under the 3 years of parts/service the give with new purchases.

Any insight into this area? What have your experiences been like?

My experience has been really good so far. It depends a lot on your LBS,of course. Mine treats me pretty much like royalty (I try NOT to take advantage of them though).

Look at the Manufacturer's site and see what they say. Most parts DO NOT come with more than a one year warranty, and a shop that claims otherwise will find themselves not making any money to be sure.

Trek's Warranty is here: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/support/limited_warranty/

Shimano's Warranty is here: http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/warranty3.html

Unless the bike is VERY high end, the parts from Shimano are only covered for 2 years.
Wheels from Bontrager/Trek are warranteed for 5 years.

Read the warranty BEFORE you buy, and ask questions at the Shop level to see how they will handle a given situation BEFORE YOU BUY. Those are fair questions to ask.

Chris

I have had phenomenal warranty service with Trek. I judge companies not just by the quality of their products, but also how they support their product when things go wrong,

The first guy is correct. If something fails, Trek will take care of you. They more than did when I snapped my lemond frame (Made by Trek). They cover the frame for life, Bontrager components for 5 years and I believe Shimano stuff for one year.

If it cracks or breaks, they inspect it (clean break). If they suspect you dropped the bike (jagged edges and missing chips, they won't. But depending on their opinion. If you drop the bike and damage the wheels or components, of course they will not cover it (maybe the shop will help though). There was a thread of some guy complaining that Trek wouldn't replace his frame. He mentioned that it wasn't a clean break but swears it was mfg defect. He was asked to post pics but never did. I think most of the readers felt something was fishy in his case. Mine cracked, I posted pics, everyone agreed it was a defect. They can tell.

As far as the guy saying everything, that's fishy too. I've had one shop say that and they backed it up within a few months, no further issues. Another shop had 3 years service. 2 years later something broke, the guy that made the statement nowhere to be found was gone and I ended up paying. I'd stick with the mfg warranty in writing. If they do help you, like the other guy said, it's the shop and or the guy that's there at the time!:D

The other LBS that I have been to and am looking at a Giant keeps insisting that no matter what I do to the bike it is covered either under the bike warranty or under the 3 years of parts/service the give with new purchases.

The parts/service warranties that shops sometimes throw in with a new purchase can be a nice deal! Way back when, my shop used to do two years of free adjustments and installations with any bike purchase.

I have had great experiences with Trek and Specialized, giving a slighter edge to the latter. Specialized has it right in my opinion.

The parts/service warranties that shops sometimes throw in with a new purchase can be a nice deal! Way back when, my shop used to do two years of free adjustments and installations with any bike purchase.



Here is what I found on the website of the LBS I am strongly leaning toward. I want a copy of the keep it rolling plan in writing but does this sound like a good deal to others out there? Do many places offer something like this? This place has been around for at least a decade, but not sure how long before that so I don't think they are a fly by night place.



6. Every new bike comes with "lifetime" free tune-ups.
Bicycles are machines that require maintenance. As the purchaser of a new bike from Cyclextere, you are entitled to free tuneups as long as you own the bike. Bring the bike in as often as you need to, or want to, and we'll tune it free of charge. This tuneup normally costs $65 and includes adjusting everything on the bike which can be adjusted.

One of the most important free services is the first tune-up, which is due after you've ridden your new bike for a few weeks. During this time, cables might stretch, spokes may loosen and adjustments could change. For your new rig to ride right and last as long as possible, we provide a free tune-up where we thoroughly check all systems (a $65 value).



10. Every new bike is covered under the "Keep It Rolling" plan
The "Keep It Rolling" plan is a three year extended warranty covering parts and labor. This plan covers everything except parts which are designed to wear, such as brake pads and tires. Keep it rolling will replace drive train components, wheels, pedals, shocks.......everything your manufacturer's warranty doesn't cover. This coverage is unprecedented in the Mid-Missouri area. Cyclex is the only Columbia shop offering it.

Free tune ups for the life is a great deal. We charge a fair amount for tune ups at my shop.

Let me know when you get up and riding. We can meet somewhere, maybe the Katy Trail.:thumb:

^^^ Yeah, that sounds great. Don't expect them to do major things like overhaul hubs or something, but having the lifetime free adjustments can be very helpful.

The other LBS that I have been to and am looking at a Giant keeps insisting that no matter what I do to the bike it is covered either under the bike warranty or under the 3 years of parts/service the give with new purchases.

Any insight into this area? What have your experiences been like?

I find this hard to believe, I bought a brand new bike and couldn't get any help from Giant for a frame
which is out of alignment.

Worst customer service ever! Cant imagine any other brand could be worse.


Scott.

[Just for grins and giggles, have your LBS check the dish of the rear wheel....

that can make the bike feel "out of alignment".

QUOTE=sk0tt;6851066]I find this hard to believe, I bought a brand new bike and couldn't get any help from Giant for a frame
which is out of alignment.

Worst customer service ever! Cant imagine any other brand could be worse.


Scott.[/QUOTE]

I find this hard to believe, I bought a brand new bike and couldn't get any help from Giant for a frame
which is out of alignment.

Worst customer service ever! Cant imagine any other brand could be worse.


Scott.

If the bike is new, take it back to the dealer. Most warranties are set up so that the dealer is an agent for the distributor or manufacturer. If the dealer is no help, then you complain to the company, about the dealer. The dealer service department, will check the alignment and either try to get you a new frame, or fix the existing one. A frame shouldn't come from the factory misaligned, the only way they get misaligned is if struck very hard from one side, like in a crash, or if the bike was damaged in shipping to the dealer. Either way, during the warranty period, everything should be referred to the dealer.

I don't want to take over this thread but here are the links to the ones I started about the problems I have had.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=317525
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=363414
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=408053

Tom, the frame was eventually looked at by a frame builder, it was the frame.

Wogsterca, I agree, but the dealer, and Giant dont care.


Scott.

I don't want to take over this thread but here are the links to the ones I started about the problems I have had.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=317525
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=363414
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=408053

Tom, the frame was eventually looked at by a frame builder, it was the frame.

Wogsterca, I agree, but the dealer, and Giant dont care.


Scott.

That is seriously wrong. The repair done by the shop probably voided the warranty and they are probably too embarassed to communicate this too Giant. Instead they are trying to sweep you under the rug.

Your dealer and Giant's rep ought to take care of this. Have you tried filing a complaint directly with Giant? They should know about this.

v1k1ng1001, Yes we have tried talking with Giant directly, all they suggested was to file a complaint with Consumer Protection, which we already have done, and Consumer Protection now say they cant do anymore and we should take it to court, I wonder who would win that..

Scott.

You would.....

It sounds pretty cut and dried.


v1k1ng1001, Yes we have tried talking with Giant directly, all they suggested was to file a complaint with Consumer Protection, which we already have done, and Consumer Protection now say they cant do anymore and we should take it to court, I wonder who would win that..

Scott.

I should also add that Giant did eventually offer a refund, but only what they paid for the bike which is obviously less than what I paid.


Scott.

If they offered a refund, then perhaps suggesting they offer a replacement frame would be in order......

The components will transfer, you know. ;)


I should also add that Giant did eventually offer a refund, but only what they paid for the bike which is obviously less than what I paid.


Scott.

They wont do that, I have tried, they keep insisting theres nothing wrong, even when a frame builder has said there is, and done a "repair".

It is probably not worth a lawsuit. I'd just hop on ebay or something and pick up a new frame. Find a new LBS in the meantime.

Cannondale did something similar to me. I was eventually able to call in a few favors and get the frame warrantied but it took me a year and was more trouble than it was worth. I had to just fork out the cash for a new bike while this was going on.