turtlendog

I noticed a couple cracks in the frame of my 4 year old Giant Warp DS1 last week, so I took it to the LBS Giant dealer for replacement (lifetime frame warranty). I've heard stories of bike companies (Specialized) offering half off retail on any of their bikes as an alternative to frame replacement, so I talked to my dealer about the possibility of upgrading at the same time and asked him to check it out. Specifically, I mentioned that I was interested in the Giant NSR.

My LBS talked to Giant and they wanted like $500 just to upgrade to the NSR frame and carry my parts over. So, whatever it's not a good deal, we decided to do the DS1 frame replacement instead. A bummer, but it's all they're obligated to do, so I can't fault them. I'm thinking at this point I'll just Ebay the Warp and buy new next year or something.

The sucky part is, Giant warrantied my DS1 frame with a lower model DS2 frame (like a $200 difference between the DS1 and DS2 IIRC). The frames are admittedley similar, the DS1 comes with disk brakes while the DS2 frame has cantilever brake mounts and lower end components. I feel like I got shafted with a lower "cool" factor of a frame badged "DS2", ugly brake bosses that don't belong, and a lower resale value.

What do you think, should I just never buy another Giant, or harrass Giant until they do the right thing and replace my frame with one of the same model?

https://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....53&model=10823

https://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....53&model=10824

callmecobra

giant sucks. im not surprised they did that to you.

seely

As far as I know the DS-1/2 are an identical frame...

Dannihilator

Ahh yes, another disatisfied giant user. I once was one of those.

turtlendog

Perhaps with the exception of brake bosses and paint/decals, but they still stuck me on the resale value.

Clearly they have no intention of keeping me as a happy customer. Foolish of them as I own six bikes. In fact, Giant was the only brand of which I had more than one.

seely

I don't think resale is a huge issue with a DS-series bike, but just the same I see your point. I sell Giants, but I don't particularly like them, partly because of how slowly/inefficiently they handle warranty claims. For example...

We had a customer break his shock on an '02 Warp... so we call Giant, two weeks later we have the wrong shock. Call them again, they say ok and send us THE SAME SHOCK. Call them a third time, now after 4 weeks and talk to the same warranty guy who is asking us what color the shock is, after we give him the model, year, serial number of the bike, serial number of the shock and he FINALLY gets it right. Sadly this is pretty typical of the warranty department.

turtlendog

True, expecially on a 4-year-old bike. I guess I'm more frustrated with fact that they did it, than the results of their decision.

Do you carry Trek? How are they about warranty etc? I haven't had to deal with them yet, but I'm hoping if I do it will go better than this. (I just bought a T2000.)

I recently had a Specialized road-frame warrantied for a broken chain-stay and they treated me right (funny, two broken frames in one month, never broke one before).

Dannihilator

Trek is not the best, but it is better than giant's.

cheewymuffin

funny beacause my costco bike has a better frame warranty then urs.

seely

No actually it doesn't. Giant is lifetime. Anyone can give a lifetime warranty... its honoring it thats the tough part. Also, who is going to swap all the parts over on your new frame when you get it? The mechanics at Costco? At least with the Giant the LBS will swap all the parts over free as part of the warranty service.

seely

I used to sell Treks... Trek has a pretty good warranty service. Dead accurate about part replacement, no haggle, but not particularly fast. Specialized used to be the gods of warranty. They slipped for awhile but are coming back strong... they are VERY fast and if they do make a mistake they spare no expense to make it right. Trek can be a little finicky about giving a comparable frame in the case of frame breakage. Specialized typically has no qualms about sending a BETTER frame even.

Curious which Spec. you broke? Was it one of the old carbon lugged Epics?

cheewymuffin

indeed my costco bike ahs a lifetime warranty as well. I just recieved my new frame. lol. i dint need it anyway cause i ride an stp2. but hell it was funny.

seely

I know it does, but I am curious as to who swaps the components over for you? Like I said... the Costco mechanics?

cheewymuffin

lol. yes that parts a bummer.

turtlendog

Actually, I believe that I will be paying my LBS to build the frame. Giant hasn't offered to pay them for the build that I know of.

turtlendog

Nope, I broke a 99 S-Works M4 Road. They replaced it with an 04 S-Works E5. It took about a week to get the new frame.

Dannihilator

If you were refering to my bike, you also have to realize I'm a much smoother rider than most others. Lately it seems like the opposite, but in general smooth and very easy on the equipment. So I really don't need the lifetime warranty at all because in 1-3 years I'll be still riding the bike, even though it will be as the spare because I will have a new main bike.

newby

so wat u people r saying is that buying Giant bikes are a bad idea, cause i was thinking of buying a 05 STP1 as a begginer trail bike

cheewymuffin

stp1 is not really a trail bike. Its meant for urban and djing.

Dannihilator

The STP One cane handle trail riding, but it isn't the best tool for the job.

hooligan

Exactly. I guess XC/Trail riding is for LIGHTER bikes. XC bikes tend to be lighter, while the STPs, P.2/1's and the bigger buffer frames are heavier but take heavy duty without fracturing or fatiguing as much.

turtlendog

Only you can make that decision but look at the difference in how Specialized and Giant handled my frame warranty. I certainly wouldn't buy another Giant just because there seems to be a high weasel factor.