AZJeepDude

Hi, all! I need some advice.

Last week I crashed my Cannondale SystemSix Team Si 3. I entered a bike tunnel Tuesday evening at 19 mph and encountered a 10 year old on the wrong side of the path in a curve at the bottom tooling around on his mountain bike with his dad. By that time I was going probably 24 mph (my Garmin stopped recording, so it's just a guess). With no time to react (other then a yell -- hell, maybe it was a squeal), I hit him head-on. His dad said I flipped twice, and I believe him. Miraculously (the kid wasn't wearing a helmet), neither of us sustained any major injuries (I didn't even hit my head).

My bike, however, is another story. The head tube is shattered, as are the joints between the head tube and the top tube and down tube. My wheels are also warped beyond repair, but other than those issues and a few scratches on the fork (and a broken Garmin Edge 305, which is being sent in for repair for $99), the damage seems to be limited to what I have described. Every time I look closely at the damage I get filled with rage.

Now, I bought this puppy, a 2007 model with less than 100 miles, on eBay for $2500. The seller, for some reason, had replaced the stock rims with lower end wheels, and different hubs, to boot. That explains the great deal, but it was a steal regardless IMO.

Although I have considered Calfee Design, two different bike shops told me the frame cannot be repaired, and I believe them. My local Cannondale dealer (Slippery Pig Bike Shop in Phoenix), when I brought the bike by the shop, said I could likely get a crash replacement frame from Cannondale for $900, even if I bought the bike on eBay -- no sweat. The next day, the shop calls to tell me Cannondale will sell me a replacement frame for $2399, which is reduced from the normal price of $3000.

Now, I find that absolutely remarkable, as I bought my entire bike on eBay for $100 more four months ago. Even now there's a brand new one listed with bids starting at $2600 (unfortunately not my size ), which, as stated, retails for $3500.

Obviously, I'm not going to shell out $2399 for a new frame and still have to replace the wheels. For that amount of money I could buy another bike. And from experience, preferably another brand.

I love Love LOVE my Cannondale, but if this is what I can expect from them then I think I'll just take my money elsewhere.

Does anyone have any advice? I've already been advised to buy from my LBS in the future, and I will take that into consideration. For now, I'd be really happy fixing the bike I have for less than an arm and a leg.

Thanks!

patentcad

You feel peeved at Cannondale for not extending you a special crash replacement financial consideration when you didn't buy anything from them (you said you bought it second hand on eBay). Does any manufacturer of bike frames provide such a courtesy to owners who are not the original customer? Before you take your business elsewhere for that reason, find out if that's not common practice in the industry.

I'd be curious to know what companies typically do in this circumstance. It's a good question, lots of bike nuts (myself included) by stuff slightly used on eBay.

geneman

Yup ... I've been told that the crash replacement program is only supposed to be available to the original owner.

Mark

CrimsonKarter21

Ask if they can give you Six13 or a CAAD9 as a replacement. You've already got another System6, so get a training bike, treat yourself.

Coyote2

ummm...Why don't you get that ten-year old's dad to buy you a new bike?

Blaireau

+1

patentcad

There is no mercy on BF.

And hopefully there never will be.

UmneyDurak

Umm why would he? If anything the guy is lucky the boys dad doesn't want to sue. The story is just sappy enough that he might win. Riding too fast for conditions, ten year old kid, bla bla bla.

Ramjm_2000

Proly cus' he was doing close to 20 mph on a MUP. I'd suspect that most cities have a 12-15 mph speed limit.

AZJeepDude

That's certainly a valid point. It's worth mentioning, however, that the bike was purchased (I assume) legitimately at some point, and one might argue that ultimately it's no skin off the manufacturer's nose if it's me or the original owner who asked for a replacement -- the result is the same. As you suggest, is this something unique to this industry?

I would be interested in the perspective of Cannondale's marketing group. Do they care if there's one less Cannondale out there? Should it concern them that a prospective Cannondale owner might stumble across this thread one day in the future and wonder how hard it would be to get a replacement frame for their legitimately purchased (purchased through dealer), bike? That's not for me to say.

AZJeepDude

From what I can tell (I met both parents and am familiar with the area in which the family lives), the family probably does not have the financial means necessary to cough up even $1000, much less the cost of a new frame. Plus, as mentioned below (and which I have never even considered until now), there may be other considerations.

AZJeepDude

Apparently!

AZJeepDude

Definitely something to consider.

AZJeepDude

I cannot find any specific references in the City of Phoenix code to the speed limit on multi-use paths. The closest I can find is "reasonable and prudent under existing conditions."

Ramjm_2000

That's probably worse. At least a speed limit is objective, the subjectivity of that leaves a lot of room for interpretation.

krazyderek

On one hand, any vehicle you operate should always be under your complete control, this includes being able to stop before you reach the furthest point you can see at any given time. However, knowingly blocking a narrow and darkened bath for any amount of time without reflective gear, pylon's, and/or blinking/warning light's is also not looked upon kindly-they should have been doing this on the grass outside the tunnel. If the family is about as well off as you, i'd ask for total damages to both parties be paid evenly between each of you.

As for your bike, yes, cannondale can be kinda anal about buying from LBS only, and never ever ever online, unless you pick up the bike in person. The whole idea behind this is to make sure that when the bike is sold (by an authorized dealer) it leaves setup properly and safely for the rider. It's not a bad philosophy, although it does fall a bit short sometimes when trying to find the best deal.

I'd say just go for a CAAD9 if you can get one at a crash replacement price, half of the cat 1/2/3 field here rides that frame to good results.

jimx200

Tap into the kid's dads homeowners insurance. If indeed you were not "speeding" and the 10yo was at fault, go after the insurance carrier and see what happens. It's really amazing both of you were not injured.

baxtefer

i wouldn't exactly call a 20 MPH blind turn into a tunnel "reasonable and prudent"

what's the problem here? Cannondale has offered you the standard crash replacement cost for this frame. So what if ebay prices are lower? They're lower for a reason - no warranty etc.

Paul Barnard

Get it stolen and have it replaced under your homwowners or renters policy.

marengo

Entering a blind corner in a dark tunnel on a public path at 20+ mph, you're lucky you didn't kill the damn kid. This is why we have such a bad reputation among so many. Thanks man.

slynkie

fwiw, i once had a cannondale that was run-over by the newspaper delivery car - i had left it in our driveway (i was a kid!!), which was a hill, and i guess they didn't see it or didn't care. i had bought the bike second-hand, but cannondale sent me a new frame with no convincing necessary. then again, this was about 13 years ago and the frame was worth much less than yours...and, obviously, times are much different.

anyway - call cannondale directly and talk until you can get a supervisor/manager, and politely ask for the best deal they can give you.

good luck.

TheKillerPenguin

No sympathy? especially since the kid was on the wrong side of the path?

Ritterview

So they are offering a 20% discount on the crash replacement? The usual discount is 20-30%, so Cannondale isn't being overly generous. I got 30% off on my BMC crash replacement.

roadwarrior

I sell a lot of Cannondales and they have outstanding service for the people that are the original owners of the bike.

When you buy used, you assume the risk. Cannondale works through bike shops. If they started handing out replacement frames to people that are second and third hand owners, that undercuts the very process that keeps them in business. They sell bikes through bike shops.

No doubt there is a place for Ebay sales. No problem with that. But if you go that route you have to be aware that you are on your own. Holding Cannondale responsible is ridiculous. I've sold stuff out there and have been clear to the customer that you have no warranty as you are not the original owner.

I have seen Cannondale bend over backwards for my customers who have had the stupidest things happen and wreck frames. But they bought the bike from us and we have a record of the transaction.

My suggestion is to buy a Six/13 frame and slow down...19mph into a tunnel with, no doubt Oakley's on...you are darn lucky this guy has not pressed charges against you. That's no different than if you had hit the kid with a car.

I sympathize with you, but that's the way the rules are and they are clear. I'd guess that with your walking into a place of business that exists to sell new bikes, they are presenting the facts as they are and letting Cannondale make the call.

roadwarrior

Were you the original owner or were able to somehow make them believe that you were?