Trek 5.9 SL Broken

berkan

I've got/had a Trek 5.9 SL which I purchased 18 months ago. Now I have to admit to being a heavier rider as I also play rugby and weigh in at around 17-18 stone. Over the last few weeks my frame has developed a problem that was quite concerning. The left rear steel dropout has started to remove itself from the frame and on the other side the carbon seat stay had started to disintegrate at the point where it joins that steel dropout. Of course I immediately took the bike into the nearest Trek dealer who seem to be being very helpful. However what concerns me is whether this is a common problem. Trek have offered to replace the frame with the same model a 2006 5.9 SL. However although I have been told that this is not a common fault I am of course concerned that the same thing will happen again. Further to my annoyance I have been told that as they don't keep stocks in the UK I will have to wait weeks for a replacement frame from the States. I am not sure I want the same frame as I envisage this problem developing again and either want to upgrade to the new frame (which I don't mind paying for) or else receiving some financial compensation that I can spend on a new frame (I believe that I am entitled to this under statute).

I would really appreciate anyones help and advice if they have had similar issues with Trek bikes.

gkerr4

it'll be fine - it's a good frame.

your a heavy guy, but that is a top notch, tour winning frame. I am sure this was a one off and your replacement will be fine - bit off that you are going to have to wait weeks though. Can't Trek UK find one in a dealers somewhere and claim it back?

Down the Road

Rare problem and nothing to do with your size. Trek offer lifetime warranty so you'll be fine

What size are you riding?

berkan

Thanks for your reassurances. I ride a 60cm frame, any bigger would be ludicrous and probably dangerous. Yes, believe it or not I have been told that Trek only hold warranty replacement frames in the US and as they want to see the frame it has to be sent back to them before they decide what to do and even after that it is likely to take about 3 weeks. If I have the option of taking a new frame then hopefully this might speed up the process, surely there must be some of those in the UK.

phil s

Can I just ask why you opted for the SL version at your weight? Not trying to be insulting when I ask this question...

berkan

Got it on sale for 1300 rather than 1600 pounds. When you read the blurb they assure you that 'although it is lighter that is only because the grade of materials used is better'. According to Trek there shouldn't be any difference in strength. I feel it is a design flaw that has caused the problem but of course getting them to admit that will be difficult.

berkan

Oh and whilst I remember. The only difference between the 5.9 and the 5.9 SL is that the SL does not have the aerodynamic farings.

munster

Trek have always stated there is NO rider weight limit on their frames!

Steve928

I'm afraid sending frames back to the manufacturer in their home country and waiting.. and waiting.. is par for the course. In the 7 or 8 years that I've been biking seriously I think I've had 5 or 6 (MTB and road) frames 'warrantied', and it's always involved packing the frame off to Canada, the USA, Italy etc.. and a long wait.

You need a good retailer on your side to keep things moving along.
If you've been offered a new frame in 3 weeks then frankly you're doing well. I've waited at worse 6 months and at best 6 weeks.

In the end though it always seems worth the wait - especially as you often get an upgraded model.

pjm-84

My 5.5 went back and I had to wait a few weeks for the replacement as it was shipped in from the States.

Not the same problem as you as I ended up cracking the BB shell which in turn cracked the carbon around the bottom bracket.

I ride a 62cm and weigh in at a "puny" 15st 10lb.

berkan

It interests me that you cracked the bottom bracket shell. There must have been a fault in it? How long had you had the frame? That's an 07 frame isn't it? It amazes me that Trek can say that the quality control is better because the frames are produced in the states. Cervelo frames are apparently made in Taiwan and they don't seem to have as many problems as Treks. Maybe it is just volume of sales i.e. more bikes, more problems. To give a frame a lifetime warranty these guys must have confidence in the frames but some of these problems are potentially very dangerous. I know it was the Paris Roubaix (lots of cobbles/pave) but did anyone see George Hincapie's forks when the steerer snapped clean off. I bet he wasn't very happy about that at all.

By the way when I took my bike into the shop I went to in Cardiff they seemed very familiar with replacing broken frames. I haven't asked them how many they have done but it must be quite a few. Initially when I took it in they didn't even say what they were going to do with it, they assumed I knew it ment a new frame.

Down the Road

berkan wrote:

It interests me that you cracked the bottom bracket shell. There must have been a fault in it? How long had you had the frame? That's an 07 frame isn't it? It amazes me that Trek can say that the quality control is better because the frames are produced in the states. Cervelo frames are apparently made in Taiwan and they don't seem to have as many problems as Treks. Maybe it is just volume of sales i.e. more bikes, more problems. To give a frame a lifetime warranty these guys must have confidence in the frames but some of these problems are potentially very dangerous. I know it was the Paris Roubaix (lots of cobbles/pave) but did anyone see George Hincapie's forks when the steerer snapped clean off. I bet he wasn't very happy about that at all.

By the way when I took my bike into the shop I went to in Cardiff they seemed very familiar with replacing broken frames. I haven't asked them how many they have done but it must be quite a few. Initially when I took it in they didn't even say what they were going to do with it, they assumed I knew it ment a new frame.

Facts

Hinchcapie fell before the failure and craked the fork. Had radio'd the car and was due to swap after that section of Pave.

Cervelo have had FULL recalls of frames due to poor quality.

PS they are made in CHINA not Taiwan and not by Cervelo

olr1

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/08/my- ... o-tre.html

Scroll down for the cracked chainstay that carried on and won the stage.

Treks aint all that, but they have been well tested and well proven.

pjm-84

Nope I broke it by riding it. Carbon frames normally last a year but then again I don't ride them that much over the winter.

First Trek but not the first carbon bike to go. I see it as a recycling exercise