General Cycling Discussion - SRAM chain warranty?

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View Full Version : SRAM chain warranty?


bhdavis1978
01-10-12, 02:09 PM
Has anyone tried to get a SRAM Chain replaced under warranty? I had the drive train on my bike repaired about 2.5 weeks ago including a new SRAM 991 chain, and this morning on my commute in the chain broke. It has maybe 200 kilometers on it since I purchased it, but the LBS is giving me grief. They said that a bike chain is a wear component and isn't covered by warranty. Perhaps, but it seems a bit ridiculous to me that if and when a bike chain breaks after less than 200 kilometers and 2.5 weeks that it shouldn't be covered by some sort of warranty. If they don't replace it under warranty then I'm pretty sure I'll be taking my business elsewhere, and perhaps consider buying the chain online for a lot less than I'd get it in store.


shelbyfv
01-10-12, 03:09 PM
A chain can't be worn out in 200k of commuting. If the shop is reluctant to get it replaced under warranty, it probably means they know it broke because they installed it incorrectly. Did it break at the removable link?

bhdavis1978
01-10-12, 04:38 PM
I didn't look at the chain particularly closely- I had to pick up my bike, run back home (in cleats), switch to my road bike, move the stuff out of my panniers into a backpack, and then get to work for an early meeting. It didn't look like it was broken at the removable link, but I'll look at it when I get home. I'm planning on pushing back and telling them I expect them to replace the chain for free, and if they are unwilling to, I'll just go to any of the other bike shops around. I've already spent $500 on parts and tune ups at their shop over 9 months (since I moved here), so if they want to nickel and dime me over a chain- they're welcome to do it, but I won't go back.


Sirrus Rider
01-11-12, 12:40 AM
Has anyone tried to get a SRAM Chain replaced under warranty? I had the drive train on my bike repaired about 2.5 weeks ago including a new SRAM 991 chain, and this morning on my commute in the chain broke. It has maybe 200 kilometers on it since I purchased it, but the LBS is giving me grief. They said that a bike chain is a wear component and isn't covered by warranty. Perhaps, but it seems a bit ridiculous to me that if and when a bike chain breaks after less than 200 kilometers and 2.5 weeks that it shouldn't be covered by some sort of warranty. If they don't replace it under warranty then I'm pretty sure I'll be taking my business elsewhere, and perhaps consider buying the chain online for a lot less than I'd get it in store.


Are you sure the chain was installed correctly? Maybe the shop broke the chain and then put a pin back in weakening the chain. Either way you need to talk to the LBS you had it installed at. It's up to them to make it right.

Ziemas
01-11-12, 01:11 AM
Sounds like a poor instillation and the shop won't cover it. Bad of them. To answer your original question, yes I have. A few years ago SRAM had a bunch of chains that had plates that were prone to cracking and breaking. I had one, and my LBS replaced it no questions asked as clearly the fault wasn't an installation issue.