Dent (possible depression) in brand new carbon frame
#26
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As has been stated above, this looks like an 'in the making defect' not after the process. This defect should have been seen by a long list of people at the factory, from the worker on the mold, the paint sprayer, the finishers, then finally quality control. If not by them, then by the people who received it at the store you bought it from.
If the bike was stated as new with defects, I'd let it go. If it was not, then I'd be chasing it up. Yes, maybe it was clearance, but this should have been stated and you should have been told. I wouldn't be happy with it and you are not, so ask for a replacement or some extra cash off the sale.
If the bike was stated as new with defects, I'd let it go. If it was not, then I'd be chasing it up. Yes, maybe it was clearance, but this should have been stated and you should have been told. I wouldn't be happy with it and you are not, so ask for a replacement or some extra cash off the sale.
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I find it suspicious that the only 51cm frame within 100+ miles had a visible divot in the finish on the top tube.
Being an old close-out model, it may be difficult to get it replaced. Please keep us updated with developments.
Being an old close-out model, it may be difficult to get it replaced. Please keep us updated with developments.
#28
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I finally got an answer from Cannondale, Nick told me to bring my bike to a local Cannondale dealer to get it checked. The bike shop owner though, told me that the defect was too small to begin with a frame check, saying that there's too much chance that it gets back negative, everything fine on the bike, but so much time wasted for it. He took the exact same picture as I did in OP, and sent it to I don't know who, who must be qualified to understand what this dent needs, probably a Cannondale specialist. He then told me to take my bike home again, as he would contact me soon with updates. Right now I'm waiting for updates, I brought the bike to the shop on tuesday.
Yes that sounds like what the LBS owner told me. He was quite positive with it, yet surprised of this dent being on a still unridden bike.
Makes sense to me!
Yeah, if it's only a cosmetic problem I wouldn't mind as long as it doesn't reduce the value of the frame, if I ever want to sell/ trade/ dispose of it in any way (which I think is unlikely to happen, but I can't predict what I'll want to do in a few years)... I could then ask for a bit of cash return, which would equal the value loss caused by it.
It seems suspicious to me too... How many chances there were that the only one left would have a defect? It's a bit weird but I'm getting used to bad lucks haha.
The LBS owner was quite confident that if it needed to be replaced, since there aren't any 2014 Synpase 6 in stock anywhere, that I would get a 2015 frame. He said he's seen some frame replacement for less than that, for frames of a few years old. I think Cannondale aren't really nervous with warranty issues since they sell out all of their bikes and must not have many returns since, I still think, they make great products.
I will keep you up to date during the next day! I will call the shop on next monday if I don't get any feedback until then.
My friend who had problems with her Cannondale dealt with Cycles Rossi in Lachine and was quite happy with the way she was treated. Of course in her case she lives less than 1 km from the store so it was convenient to get to, she could even walk there if necessary. However she was less impressed with the rep from Cannondale, said it was like pulling teeth to move him into action. Normally, in order to honour a warranty a replacement frame would be shipped to the dealer, who would swap the components over from the old frame. Then the old frame would either be destroyed or shipped back to the distributor by the shop. This all depends on the policies of the company. Cannondale would not ship a frame directly to you
As has been stated above, this looks like an 'in the making defect' not after the process. This defect should have been seen by a long list of people at the factory, from the worker on the mold, the paint sprayer, the finishers, then finally quality control. If not by them, then by the people who received it at the store you bought it from.
If the bike was stated as new with defects, I'd let it go. If it was not, then I'd be chasing it up. Yes, maybe it was clearance, but this should have been stated and you should have been told. I wouldn't be happy with it and you are not, so ask for a replacement or some extra cash off the sale.
If the bike was stated as new with defects, I'd let it go. If it was not, then I'd be chasing it up. Yes, maybe it was clearance, but this should have been stated and you should have been told. I wouldn't be happy with it and you are not, so ask for a replacement or some extra cash off the sale.
The LBS owner was quite confident that if it needed to be replaced, since there aren't any 2014 Synpase 6 in stock anywhere, that I would get a 2015 frame. He said he's seen some frame replacement for less than that, for frames of a few years old. I think Cannondale aren't really nervous with warranty issues since they sell out all of their bikes and must not have many returns since, I still think, they make great products.
I will keep you up to date during the next day! I will call the shop on next monday if I don't get any feedback until then.
#29
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I talked to the LBS owner this weekend and he told me he had no news about it but would call me this week. I think I will call today.
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I won't say anything too new, but maybe put this situation into a bit of perspective: carbon fiber composite frames (and components in general) command a premium price. That implies also a premium finishing and QC. If I paid $150 for a steel frameset, and it had that dent in it, I would not complain. But if I bought a $850 carbon fiber frameset, you can bet your sweet fanny that I would complain! Out of principle, if nothing else.
There is also the fact that I could not get that nagging feeling out of my head, that something evil could happen to that bike - with steel, titanium and aluminium frames I know I would receive plenty of advance warning before catastrophe strikes. I know your bike is probably OK, but I also know myself.
There is also the fact that I could not get that nagging feeling out of my head, that something evil could happen to that bike - with steel, titanium and aluminium frames I know I would receive plenty of advance warning before catastrophe strikes. I know your bike is probably OK, but I also know myself.
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Don't give up, the local streets are drying up and I even saw a street sweeper today, a sure sign of spring in Montreal. If only they could start fixing the holes in the street. Some of the streets in the west end of the city look as if they were hit by a combination of bombs and earthquakes. A combination of potholes and frost heaves
#32
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I won't say anything too new, but maybe put this situation into a bit of perspective: carbon fiber composite frames (and components in general) command a premium price. That implies also a premium finishing and QC. If I paid $150 for a steel frameset, and it had that dent in it, I would not complain. But if I bought a $850 carbon fiber frameset, you can bet your sweet fanny that I would complain! Out of principle, if nothing else.
There is also the fact that I could not get that nagging feeling out of my head, that something evil could happen to that bike - with steel, titanium and aluminium frames I know I would receive plenty of advance warning before catastrophe strikes. I know your bike is probably OK, but I also know myself.
There is also the fact that I could not get that nagging feeling out of my head, that something evil could happen to that bike - with steel, titanium and aluminium frames I know I would receive plenty of advance warning before catastrophe strikes. I know your bike is probably OK, but I also know myself.
Don't give up, the local streets are drying up and I even saw a street sweeper today, a sure sign of spring in Montreal. If only they could start fixing the holes in the street. Some of the streets in the west end of the city look as if they were hit by a combination of bombs and earthquakes. A combination of potholes and frost heaves
#33
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I've got this whole story fixed guys!
Well not as much as I would have liked it... The LBS and Cannondale talked to each others, Cannondale called the store that sold me the bike, etc. ONLY with the pictures the LBS took and sent to Cannondale.
Ended up that Cannondale told the LBS that there was nothing wrong with the dent, the structure is solid and it won't be a danger so I can now ride it.
I'm still not that confident though... I don't know, I wish someone could have done a frame test or anything. But well, I will ride it and if it breaks I guess Cannondale will have to respond of it in front of a judge eh. (Kidding, unless I get my whole face broken)
Thank you guys for all the answers on this thread!
Well not as much as I would have liked it... The LBS and Cannondale talked to each others, Cannondale called the store that sold me the bike, etc. ONLY with the pictures the LBS took and sent to Cannondale.
Ended up that Cannondale told the LBS that there was nothing wrong with the dent, the structure is solid and it won't be a danger so I can now ride it.
I'm still not that confident though... I don't know, I wish someone could have done a frame test or anything. But well, I will ride it and if it breaks I guess Cannondale will have to respond of it in front of a judge eh. (Kidding, unless I get my whole face broken)
Thank you guys for all the answers on this thread!
#34
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I've got this whole story fixed guys!
Well not as much as I would have liked it... The LBS and Cannondale talked to each others, Cannondale called the store that sold me the bike, etc. ONLY with the pictures the LBS took and sent to Cannondale.
Ended up that Cannondale told the LBS that there was nothing wrong with the dent, the structure is solid and it won't be a danger so I can now ride it.
I'm still not that confident though... I don't know, I wish someone could have done a frame test or anything. But well, I will ride it and if it breaks I guess Cannondale will have to respond of it in front of a judge eh. (Kidding, unless I get my whole face broken)
Thank you guys for all the answers on this thread!
Well not as much as I would have liked it... The LBS and Cannondale talked to each others, Cannondale called the store that sold me the bike, etc. ONLY with the pictures the LBS took and sent to Cannondale.
Ended up that Cannondale told the LBS that there was nothing wrong with the dent, the structure is solid and it won't be a danger so I can now ride it.
I'm still not that confident though... I don't know, I wish someone could have done a frame test or anything. But well, I will ride it and if it breaks I guess Cannondale will have to respond of it in front of a judge eh. (Kidding, unless I get my whole face broken)
Thank you guys for all the answers on this thread!
#35
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Eh, as a last resort you could ask Cannondale to send YOU a written statement, and not just get an oral confirmation like "yeah, you know, Cannondale told us, so ....". In case you do faceplant, or worse, it will be much better to have that statement, than just the word of a LBS dude.
Personally, I think that they are trying to get rid of you with minimal effort
Last edited by alcjphil; 04-15-15 at 05:06 PM.
#36
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Eh, as a last resort you could ask Cannondale to send YOU a written statement, and not just get an oral confirmation like "yeah, you know, Cannondale told us, so ....". In case you do faceplant, or worse, it will be much better to have that statement, than just the word of a LBS dude.
Yes, I would ask for written confirmation from Cannondale that your frame is perfectly sound and not settle for anything less. They have no more proof of its condition than they could get from your picture. I wonder how eager they would be to give you a written statement like that.
Personally, I think that they are trying to get rid of you with minimal effort
Personally, I think that they are trying to get rid of you with minimal effort
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Everyone seems to consider it to be a cosmetic flaw. It runs parallel to the tube, so the risk should be minimal. Does it have a hole that allows water in? But I think it is time to accept that it is there.
Had you seen it before buying the bike, you might have been able to get the store to knock off some additional bucks, but you had already travelled quite some distance to buy THAT BIKE. Would you have left empty handed? Nonetheless, you didn't discover it until you got home, and chose not to return the bike.
A few days ago someone posted a picture that had a paint chip on the hinge of a steel folding bike, and my thoughts was to just get some factory touch-up paint and touch it up. I'm not sure why one would consider the CF bike as any different, or needing to be flawless. Value, of course, is different, but a bike should be ridden.
Had you seen it before buying the bike, you might have been able to get the store to knock off some additional bucks, but you had already travelled quite some distance to buy THAT BIKE. Would you have left empty handed? Nonetheless, you didn't discover it until you got home, and chose not to return the bike.
A few days ago someone posted a picture that had a paint chip on the hinge of a steel folding bike, and my thoughts was to just get some factory touch-up paint and touch it up. I'm not sure why one would consider the CF bike as any different, or needing to be flawless. Value, of course, is different, but a bike should be ridden.
#38
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Everyone seems to consider it to be a cosmetic flaw. It runs parallel to the tube, so the risk should be minimal. Does it have a hole that allows water in? But I think it is time to accept that it is there.
....Value, of course, is different, but a bike should be ridden.
....Value, of course, is different, but a bike should be ridden.
Put it out of your mind and ride and enjoy the bike. If you cannot put it out of your mind, fill and touch it up with some paint, then go see a hypnotherapist for help forgetting about it.
If you ride this bike long enough it'll soon accumulate a decent number of dings and this one will be among the least of them.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#40
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But I wonder how I can get such a paper in the first place, I've sent a message to the customer support, but maybe they'll just be like "wtf are you talking about?" because this particular person won't have heard of the story, etc.
#41
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Everyone seems to consider it to be a cosmetic flaw. It runs parallel to the tube, so the risk should be minimal. Does it have a hole that allows water in? But I think it is time to accept that it is there.
Had you seen it before buying the bike, you might have been able to get the store to knock off some additional bucks, but you had already travelled quite some distance to buy THAT BIKE. Would you have left empty handed? Nonetheless, you didn't discover it until you got home, and chose not to return the bike.
A few days ago someone posted a picture that had a paint chip on the hinge of a steel folding bike, and my thoughts was to just get some factory touch-up paint and touch it up. I'm not sure why one would consider the CF bike as any different, or needing to be flawless. Value, of course, is different, but a bike should be ridden.
Had you seen it before buying the bike, you might have been able to get the store to knock off some additional bucks, but you had already travelled quite some distance to buy THAT BIKE. Would you have left empty handed? Nonetheless, you didn't discover it until you got home, and chose not to return the bike.
A few days ago someone posted a picture that had a paint chip on the hinge of a steel folding bike, and my thoughts was to just get some factory touch-up paint and touch it up. I'm not sure why one would consider the CF bike as any different, or needing to be flawless. Value, of course, is different, but a bike should be ridden.
#42
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I've got none at the moment but I will tell my roommates! (Just in case that I don't make it back home that is huh? Haha yeah...)
But I wonder how I can get such a paper in the first place, I've sent a message to the customer support, but maybe they'll just be like "wtf are you talking about?" because this particular person won't have heard of the story, etc.
But I wonder how I can get such a paper in the first place, I've sent a message to the customer support, but maybe they'll just be like "wtf are you talking about?" because this particular person won't have heard of the story, etc.
The advice about letting the next of kin know where that statement is, if/when you get it, is in the unlikely but not impossible case that ding really does cause a crash in which you die or are so brain-injured that you don't anymore remember that you even have that statement. And that statement could then mean a lot for the people who would care for you, or would stay behind.
#43
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First of all let me preface my post with this: I think i am getting a bit irritated because I think that either the LBS or Cannondale are trying to pull a fast one on you. At the moment all you have is a he-said-she-said. I.E. you're no smarter than you were at the beginning of the whole adventure. IF the LBS has spoken to Cannondale then they would have no problem getting a written statement from Cannondale that the dent is indeed inconsequential and the frame is as good as new. If you don't get that statement, then either the LBS or Cannondale are being greedy, or lazy, or both.
The advice about letting the next of kin know where that statement is, if/when you get it, is in the unlikely but not impossible case that ding really does cause a crash in which you die or are so brain-injured that you don't anymore remember that you even have that statement. And that statement could then mean a lot for the people who would care for you, or would stay behind.
The advice about letting the next of kin know where that statement is, if/when you get it, is in the unlikely but not impossible case that ding really does cause a crash in which you die or are so brain-injured that you don't anymore remember that you even have that statement. And that statement could then mean a lot for the people who would care for you, or would stay behind.
#44
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Cannondale is very unlikely to have an office in Montreal. I don't know how distribution is handled in Canada. It may be a brand distributed directly from the US. All you would be likely to find locally is a sales representative. This often results in the sort of slow warranty support that you are experiencing