gmule1

I purchased a new trek bike composite about 15 years ago in Az.
Since have moved and now live in FL.
I have maintaned this bike and people think its still new.
I have never crashed it but unforunatly last week I was washing it after a ride and noticed the frame had a serious crack.
Trek procedure is bring in to dealer then the process begins.
The dealer Bike America in Fl. said it was definetly cracked and they should warranty (New Frame).
Well when he notified Trek there first and only response was does he have the reciept?
Unfortunatly for me I do not still have any record from the purchase. They could not believe someone would spend over $2000 and not have reciept.
It is 15 years 3 moves, 3 states, 1 marriage, 2 kids, 3 businesses later. Why would I have this reciept.
I have written Trek and the response is the same it is policie to have some record of purchase.
But are willing to give some sort of discount to purchase a new trek frame which will need all new components per the bike shop because of the different sizes now.
I dont even want to purchase another trek !
Lets see what the bike store offers?
Any opinions or ideas?

cyccommute 

Contact your original store and see if they still have records. Or see if they will work with this dealer to clarify the problem.

Gee3

Photochop a 15yo looking receipt. If they want to play hard ball, ball them back!

BeerBiker

My boss has an older 5200 that has been waranteed twice. Now, the clear coat has completely disintegrated and Trek won't do anything about it. I guess things aren't so peachy in the post Lance era for Trek. Lots of people in the know are switching to Specialized.

Mark

seriouslysilly

credit card purchase? can u get records?

did u register the bike with trek @ time of purchase?

Niles H.

You could try finding the right person at Trek to deal with (it might be better if it is someone higher on the ladder). Sometimes the lower-rung people are a lot pettier and less understanding that some of the others.

Good luck with it.

Another option would be to have it repaired by Calfee or someone else who is qualified in this kind of work.

Learning to work with carbon fiber is not terribly difficult. If you are interested, there are some good websites. (Damon Rinard's is linked from Sheldon Brown's, and Rinard's has some excellent information and links.)

CB HI

Sorry you are having trouble.

Trek and LBS were good to me on a 10 year old frame when the Al rear triangle showed cracks (CF mainframe was fine). They offered free replacement of the rear triangle or a frame upgrade for $700 on an $1800 new frame. I went for the frame upgrade.

bsyptak

Well, you did get 15+ years good use out of it. If you sold it on CL or Ebay, you'd get maybe a little over $100 for it, regardless of condition. They just aren't worth much. Technology has changed. So, you're out $100.

Part it out & toss the frame. You'll probably be even. Go out and buy a new bike and basque in it's technological improvements. You can't expect Trek to honor a frame warranty indefinitely. Just imagine what people do to their bikes, especially ones they bought used for $100. Um, I raced this bike I bought used cyclocross style and the frame broke. Can I have a new one please? Get real. The lifetime warranty is to the original purchaser. Prove it and you're golden. Why should the burden of proof be on Trek?

Blue Order

And fraud will convince Trek of what?


A much better solution.

halfspeed

If it has a lifetime warranty, yes he can and should expect exactly that.

stapfam

Now I have a 13 year old Kona with a lifetime warranty on the frame. When I bought the bike I had to register it and I asked about any warranty issues in the future. Besides the fact they had never had any- They said that the bike was registered and I was registered to the frame. No problems in the future.

Still have the bike- It noway looks like new And I not not want to claim in the future. Just nice to know that I do not have to search for a receipt 15 years after I bought the thing. ----Which incidentally- I still have.

Falkon 

I don't know what to do, but I will say this. A guy brought in a 1985 Fuji touring bike with a cracked chain stay and Fuji replaced the frame with a brand new touring frame without question.

bsyptak

Here's the warranty. I'm guessing 15 years ago it was the same. It's pretty cut & dry. Had you kept the receipt or registered it, you'd have a new frame by now:

Trek Limited Lifetime Warranty

All Trek bikes are sold exclusively through our network of Authorized Dealers who we entrust with professional assembly and service of your bicycle.
Trek Bicycle Corporation warrants each new Trek frame, rigid fork, or original component part of the bicycle against defects in workmanship and materials:

For the lifetime of the original owner-
The bicycle frame, except the fork and the Session model

For five years-
Rigid forks
All Bontrager components and accessories, except consumables such as tires and inner tubes.

For three years-
The Session model frame

For one year-
Paint and decals
All original parts, excluding suspension forks, and rear shock absorbers
All original parts, excluding Shimano parts, suspension forks, and rear shock absorbers
All Shimano parts, suspension forks, and rear shock absorbers shall be covered by the stated warranty of the original manufacturer.

This warranty does not cover-
Normal wear and tear
Improper assembly
Improper follow-up maintenance
Installation of parts or accessories not originally intended for, or compatible with, the bicycle as sold
Damage or failure due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect
Labor charges for part replacement or changeover

This warranty is void in its entirety by any modification of the frame, fork, or components.
This warranty is expressly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective item and is the sole remedy of the warranty. This warranty extends from the date of purchase, applies only to the original owner, and is not transferable. Trek Bicycle Corporation is not responsible for incidental or consequential damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. Claims under this warranty must be made through an authorized Trek dealer. Proof of purchase is required. The subject item must be registered with Trek Bicycle Corporation, either through on-line registration or by the receipt of a warranty registration card by Trek Bicycle Corporation, before a warranty claim may be processed. Warranty duration and detail may differ by frame type and/or by country. This warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights, and those rights may vary from place to place. This warranty does not affect the statutory rights of the consumer.

Carbon crash replacement policy
Assessing any damage done to a carbon fiber part requires more experience than is needed to inspect metal parts. If you crash or impact your bike and the force of the impact is absorbed by a carbon part, we strongly encourage you to replace the part, even if there are no indications of damage. If such a crash or impact occurs, Trek offers a crash replacement program for carbon parts, substantially reducing any replacement cost. To take advantage of this program, contact us using the information listed above and ask for the Warranty department.