WARNING - boardman fs comp frame failure

st4n

After reading good reviews such as on this website I purchased a large Boardman FS mountain bike from Halfords through the c2w scheme.
2 months later with 50 miles of easy trail riding the frame deveolped a crack on the upright just above the weld for the rear shock. The crack goes all the way around the frame, to the rear the crack opens up to a 2-3mm gap. When pressure is applied down on the seat you can see the frame flexing around the crack.
Hopefully a one off, but if you have a boardman fs it is definately worth regularly checking your frame.
The bike goes back to halfords tomorrow.

supersonic

It is not a cause for concern really - there are no recalls or safety notices.

Frames do break from time to time. All brands, all models, and this one has sold 1000s.

jay12

wat he said.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ init

Northwind

Still worth the post. TBH everyone should probably check their frames and other major parts regularily for damage regardless of brand.

geordiefreerider

I thought I saw a crack in my top tube but on closer inspection I realised it was where I had placed a clear frame protector and what I thought was a crack was in fact the edge of the protector !!! Whew !!

CanalRider

Just about to buy one of these on the c2w scheme.

What sort of after sales care did you get from halfords regarding the failure?

CanalRider

Deleted! Double post

st4n

The bike goes back to Halfords tomorrow i'll keep you posted re their customer service. First impressions were positive.

damo2576

st4n wrote:

After reading good reviews such as on this website I purchased a large Boardman FS mountain bike from Halfords through the c2w scheme.
2 months later with 50 miles of easy trail riding the frame deveolped a crack on the upright just above the weld for the rear shock. The crack goes all the way around the frame, to the rear the crack opens up to a 2-3mm gap. When pressure is applied down on the seat you can see the frame flexing around the crack.
Hopefully a one off, but if you have a boardman fs it is definately worth regularly checking your frame.
The bike goes back to halfords tomorrow.

Photo?

Danlube

I work at Halfords in the bikehut, first i have heard of that frame failing. It will have a year warranty under halfords, just take the bike back to the store you got it from.

snotty badger

It only has a year on the frame?! :shock:

RealMan

damo2576 wrote:

Photo?

Agreed. Photos are needed.

Danlube

snotty badger wrote:

It only has a year on the frame?! :shock:

Yeah, all bikes from Halfords have a one year warranty.

Dazzza

One year wow, you get lifetime with giant and iirc specalized.

Danlube

I think. I believe Boardman have their own warranty scheme, I'am not to hot on the finance side of things. I'am just one of the mechanics

stink£r

I own the same frame-5 month old and ridden pretty hard 3 times a week(checked for cracks-all clear!) I was told 3 years on the frame, 1 year on the components from date of purchase. Hope this helps peeps.

Anonymous

Danlube wrote:

snotty badger wrote:

It only has a year on the frame?! :shock:

Yeah, all bikes from Halfords have a one year warranty.

another amazing halfords performance there, nice one :roll:

k2rider

Dazzza wrote:

One year wow, you get lifetime with giant and iirc specalized.

only if you have the original bill of sale!

Dazzza

err i do!

supersonic

I heard from Chris today and he said that the frame warranty is two years. He also said that there have been just two reported frame failures since the bikes went on sale.

nicklouse

supersonic wrote:

I heard from Chris today and he said that the frame warranty is two years.

as per European rules

bails87

I've just had a look at the info that came with my Boardman, all rigid steel frames sold by Halfords have a 15 year warranty, and all others have 2 years, and 1 year on components.

EDIT: Nevermind, super and nick beat me to it.

st4n

Hi as requested here are some pictures below...the photos don't show it but the crack went the whole way around the seat post in a spiral...must say so far customer care/service from Boardman has been very poor...why is it you can't contact Boardman direct, only through Halfords?

[/img]

supersonic

Halfords sell you the bike - not Boardman. Your warranty lies with the retailer.

Danlube

You will be able to get the bike/frame replaced.

st4n

supersonic wrote:

Halfords sell you the bike - not Boardman. Your warranty lies with the retailer.

Not according to Halfords.

I guess you only really find out how good a company/shop is - is when something goes wrong.

Ponyfeeder

I would like to hear what Chris Boardman has to say about this ! The reason you cant contact Boardman bikes is so that Boardman bikes never get to hear about what goes wrong with the bikes and the crap service that Halfords provide to the customer. Halfords just hide these problems as they dont want to loose the exclusive retail contract for the Boardman range.

breezer

At least you can buy the Comp, my friends been trying to get a Pro FS for ages and yet still none available which is absolutely beyond a joke as they have been in their catalogue for well over 6 months, same short/non existant supply with some of their road bikes as well. I struggle to understand why they can't make more of them. All the parts are off the shelf and surely the frames just come out of a generic tiawan factory.

papasmurf.

wasn't there a couple of posts last week about frame failures, on another thread..so that would make 3 in a week here alone?

damo2576

I would like to know who actually assembles the bike. I know the final set up is done in store, but where are the components being picked and assembled? I don't imagine Boardman Ltd is doing this? Perhaps the same people that do the Halfords bike, i.e Carerra? Anyone know?

bails87

papasmurf. wrote:

wasn't there a couple of posts last week about frame failures, on another thread..so that would make 3 in a week here alone?

I think that was the OP