Carbon Epic Problems

camberman

Just wondered if anyone else has had a problem with their carbon Epics.
Recently placed my 2009 Epic Marathon into my local bikeshop to have the main pivot bearing/bush replaced. After 3 weeks was told that frame had gone off to Specialized who after another three weeks told me that the bearing had seized! Was told that the alloy bush had come adrift from the carbon rendering the frame useless was then told by Specialized that this was not a warranty job although they boast a life time guarantee on their frames but would provide me with a crash replacement frame?? can't remember crashing the bike. Waited another 10 days to be told that this would cost me £1100 plus the price of new forks as the Specialized Futureshocks are designed for one particular frame. The shop are not that interested and how do I know that the mechanic didn't 'bodge' the removal. Have heard that there has been problems with other Epic's and just wondered if anyone has had the same problem. My bike has been serviced regularly at great expense and am now thinking that Specialized are having me over.Have discovered that there is a Carbon Frame Repair unit up in Derbyshire, bet they can fix the frame as Specialized claim that they do not have the capacity to carry out repairs.

supersonic

Warranties are in addition to your statutory rights - but nevertheless are legally binding. I would write to the shop (and SPecialized) and ask specifically why this is not covered ie a contructive and encompassing report.

If you disagree or think they are breaking their terms, tell them you are seeking legal advice.

danlikesbikes

Spech are a pretty good manufacturer with a good warranty and policy - as per supersonic would ask the bike shop to confirm to you what happened in writing outlining the dates and where the frame went etc and why the damage to the frame is not covered under your warranty.

Not that I have any doubt that your LBS did not sent the frame away, but I would have thought that they would have called your first to notify you of the damage and what they were thinking of doing i.e. sending the fame to back to the manufacturers. Plus would have been common sense for them to show you the frame first and for you to agree that you wanted to make a warranty and send back to the manufacture.

You could always send to the local repair unit & am sure they would do you a good job, but would leave that till after you resolve the warranty issue first as in the end if you still do not get it fixed by the manufacturer you could always take it to them afterwards.

You might want to do some searching through your paperwork just to check the wording of your warranty - but as per their own website you will need to speak to their dealers first but they do post a customer service email address too - http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/confidence.jsp but would wait to see what your LBS says about when it went and why this is outside of your life time warranty.

Plus the shock should have its own warranty too so would ask the LBS if this was covered too.

diy

If I understand this correctly you took a bike that was working fine to your lbs, they damaged the frame carrying out the work and their position with spesh is that the frame must have been faulty for the damage to occur? It seems spesh are saying that the damage was caused by a crash/workshop negligence and therefore there are charges due?

Don't waste time talking to the manufacturer, go back to the shop ask them what happened, why it happened and what action they recommend. This isn't a straightforward claim, as its either:

1. the frame was faulty and spesh should cough up
2. the lbs negligently damaged the frame
3. the frame was damaged through use.

Your damages are the cost of a replacement frame in a similar condition to the one that was destroyed or the cost of repair. You will need evidence to disprove 3 and more info to prove 1 or 2. If you purchased the bike from this lbs then 1 is irrelevant and you just pursue the retailer.

compositepro

I would ask them this

how has the part come away from the frame ie what crash would cause a bonded insert at a pivot point to become un stuuuuuuuck without affecting laminate structure round it... if it has its an easy repair to copy the old one and bond in a new one though I'm sure the uk's leading carbon repair specialist in derbyshire (their words lol) could do it

oh forgot also if the beairing has seized in there and they have bashed / pressed it out and the insert has come with it then maybe it should have been maintained better or maybe it should have had enough protection installed at the factory (anti seize media) to stop the bearing seizing in there in the first place ,this will be tough to argue

diy

Yes but in that scenario the LBS should have contacted the OP and said. Looks like its siezed mate, there is a risk we will damage the frame if we push too hard. I suggest we send it to Spesh for opinion.

RevellRider

Something sounds dodgy to me. If the bearing had of seized at the main pivot assembly that'd be in the chainstay not the front triangle. That is made from M5 aluminium, not carbon. I don't see how the removal of a bearing in a chainstay can affect the main pivot

superazza

Hi, did you ever get a resolution from specialized ? I have just had a similar thing happen to me. My 2012 Camber carbon 29er failed at the main frame pivot ripping out the pivot barrel. They are trying to tell me my poor maintenance is to fault but I really can't believe that as it was in with them not that long ago to have the rear end fixed after the hub let go (another warranty issue that they fixed without quibble).

Could you let me know how the matter got resolved in the end ?

As of now I've only been told they don't consider this fault a warranty repair and haven't been offered any solution. They have only had the bike a week.

Also do you know if this can be repaired ?

Many thanks for any info on this

regards

Azza