giskard

My 2010 Kona Jake the Snake developed a cracked frame (at the bottom of the seat-tube right on the weld) which appears to be a manufacturing fault. Kona have replaced the frame (under their 4 year warranty) with a new one but it's a 2012 frame which isn't compatible with a number of the components - the BB, headset, seat post and front derailleur, according to Kona's tech guy - from my 2010 frame. Kona haven't provided the replacement non-compatible components and seem to be saying that they're not obliged to supply them. So now I have a replacement frame that's not fit for purpose.

I was wondering if anyone else here had encountered similar compatibility issues with warranty-replaced frames, and what was the outcome? It seems that manufacturers change frame/bike specs every other year these days.

Barrettscv 

Is the new frame a BB30? What cranks do you have?

harry2110

I encountered this when i warrantied my kestrel road bike. I was lucky that really the only part I had to buy was the crank as it had a integrated headset, and aero seatpost. Youll have to buy the new parts and possibly sell the others in most cases. If it was a integrated headset then it should have been provided. The other parts could possibly use adaptors if needed or why not just upgrade to better lighter parts? The companys dont really care about if a part doesn't match up to your old frame as they are usually giving you a better frame in process of the exchange. I sent in a evoke sl which was worth about 1-2k and got back a top of the line Rt1000 from kestrel which was 2-3lb lighter. You can use a BB insert or buy a bb30 crank off ebay for around 150 and loose about .5lbs. The seatpost can be shimmed.

theextremist04

Manufacturers do this- parts and standards change, sorry. Get the parts you need for the frame or sell the new frame and buy one that suits your needs.

giskard

So my bike fails due to a manufacturing fault that's covered by warranty and I have to shell out money for to replace incompatible parts in order to get back on my bike? How is that right?

giskard

Yes the new frame is a BB30, but the cranks on my old bike aren't so I either need an adaptor or new cranks (very expensive)

giskard

I'd rather have the same model frame as the one that's cracked

jimc101

Who have you actually talked to, the shop you got it from, who should be your first point of contact, or Kona Europe?

If neither are any use, have you gone to your local trading standards, or even got a claim in with the small claims court, as this may encourage the shop if they are not being helpful.

There may not be anything in the warranty that says they need to replace parts that are not compatible with a new frame, but most manufactures will to keep customers happy / prevent bad PR.

theextremist04

The thing is, they gave you the same model that cracked. They can't keep a warehouse full of old frames sitting around. The frame itself has changed. The only one that's compatible is a step down from the one they're warrantying; would you have been happy if they had given you an inferior product? Even if you had, that would have made a lot more people unhappy.

Barrettscv 

Use a Wheels Manufacturing BB30 adapter: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...enduro--24534/

giskard

Not sure I quite understand your fourth sentence, but I'd rather have been given a 2010 frame, otherwise, a replacement frame and any parts required that can't be transferred from my old frame

giskard

Thanks, that's very useful

Cynikal 

Too bad that shipping is probably prohibitively expensive, I have 2 BB30 cranks in my parts bin right now.

jimc101

The problem is we are in MY2013 for bikes, even 2012 models will be scarce, 2010 is ancient history, combined with Kona having changed distributors last year, getting a 2010 model is just not going to happen.

giskard

I notified the manufacturer (via their support forum) who quite rightly said contact the bike shop - in this case Halfords - who have been very slow at getting things sorted out, saying they're not sure what to do next, etc etc, so I've been contacting Kona asking them to contact Halfords.

It's up to the shop to sort it out but the grey area is that the bike itself is out of warranty as far as the shop's obligations are concened, but the frame has a 4 year warranty that's provided by the manufacturer with whom I have no direct contract.

If I can't get this resolved with Halfords then I guess I'll have to resort to Trading Standards but hopefully between Kona and Halfords, it won't come to that.

giskard

Absolutely, but I'm not expecting a 2010 frame, just making the point that I just because I'm getting a better frame I shouldn't be expected to have to spend a lot of money in order to use that frame to get me cycling again