Cannondale 'lifetime' warranty nonsense
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Avoid Cannondale I'd say. Absolute shame though.
I don't understand how some manufacturers appear to be OK with turbo use and others seem to insist that if you even as much as think of clamping their frame in anything it will immediately self destruct.0 -
I wouldn't say avoid Cannondale just be aware that lifetime warranties aren't what the seem to be on the surface. I do think the Op has a case in this instance because 4 years isn't long for a frame, I'm more shocked they think the lifetime of a carbon frame is 3 years seeing as I regularly ride a 6-7 year old Look! It would be better if manufacturers gave a clearer warranty time limited as clearly lifetime but not including fatigue is so vague that inevitably it will cause issues like this.
I'll just add here Look and Sheffield Cycles were great when my bike had a problem.[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0 -
For one of the 'big' manufacturers to take such a stance is really dissapointing. Is there anything in their terms and conditions that limit their liability on the frame warrenty? So exclusions like use of a turbo?
My experience with Specialized when my frame developed a crack around the BB area was nothing but pleasant, I spoke to the guys at Spesh in the UK, took it to my local dealer and even tho I hadn't bought the bike from him he was happy to sort it all out for me. Within a week I had a new frame.
For these manufacturers to sell the volume they need to they need good reputations, this is poor of Cannondale0 -
I'm ignoring the "lifetime guarantee" here as I believe they'd have the same opinion whether this occurred within 1 year or 4.DeVlaeminck wrote:I wouldn't say avoid Cannondale just be aware that lifetime warranties aren't what the seem to be on the surface. I do think the Op has a case in this instance because 4 years isn't long for a frame, I'm more shocked they think the lifetime of a carbon frame is 3 years seeing as I regularly ride a 6-7 year old Look! It would be better if manufacturers gave a clearer warranty time limited as clearly lifetime but not including fatigue is so vague that inevitably it will cause issues like this.
I'll just add here Look and Sheffield Cycles were great when my bike had a problem.
They're simply clinging to the argument that the bike was used in a turbo and that's what damaged it.
Am I right in thinking they made this decision even before seeing the bike in person (Cannondale that is)?0 -
Give Westbrooks a call. They sell a lot of Cannondales and apparently have a good rapport with the distributor. They may be able to offer some advice. Worth a punt...“Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”0
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patrickf wrote:
I'm ignoring the "lifetime guarantee" here as I believe they'd have the same opinion whether this occurred within 1 year or 4.DeVlaeminck wrote:I wouldn't say avoid Cannondale just be aware that lifetime warranties aren't what the seem to be on the surface. I do think the Op has a case in this instance because 4 years isn't long for a frame, I'm more shocked they think the lifetime of a carbon frame is 3 years seeing as I regularly ride a 6-7 year old Look! It would be better if manufacturers gave a clearer warranty time limited as clearly lifetime but not including fatigue is so vague that inevitably it will cause issues like this.
I'll just add here Look and Sheffield Cycles were great when my bike had a problem.
They're simply clinging to the argument that the bike was used in a turbo and that's what damaged it.
Am I right in thinking they made this decision even before seeing the bike in person (Cannondale that is)?
Cannondale first saw the crack through photos that the helpful Evans' staff took. After seeing the photos they askec me to take all the parts from the bike into the shop (I had previously been told to strip the bike down / pay for it to be stripped down). The frame and all the parts were sent off to Cannondale, and they gave me their verdict on the 'excessive turbo use' via the Evans' staff on Thursday. It was three weeks ago today that I first exposed the crack by scraping the paint off the area.
I spoke to a member of my son's local bike club today, and he told me that similarly, when he dealt with Specialized after discovering a crack in his frame they replaced the frame almost immediately. I've also been made aware of a local bike shop that stopped being a Cannondale dealer and moved over to Specialized precisely because Cannondale had such poor after sales service. The guy told me that 'in 50:50 cases' cases Specialized always gave the customer the benefit of the doubt, whereas Cannondale didn't.
I've given Cannondale 1 week to reconsider their decision before I'll proceed to the small claims court. I've also requested that Cannondale change their wording in their warranty to state more clearly some examples of what constitutes 'abnormal' cycling. They should also tell their dealers to inform potential buyers that their frames are not strong enough to withstand use on a turbo - they won't though, as that would cost them sales. I guess I'll have to write an email to Evans, Wiggle, CRC, etc., about my experience.
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jordan_217 wrote:Give Westbrooks a call. They sell a lot of Cannondales and apparently have a good rapport with the distributor. They may be able to offer some advice. Worth a punt...
Well Evans, are also a huge dealer, and my contact in there said that he couldn't see why Cannondale wouldn't replace the frame when I first took it in. He said that Cannondale were usually good at 'listening' to the Evans staff, and in his opinion the crack didn't look like damage through misuse, but was just one of those cracks that appears in areas of the frame weakened during the welding process. He seems pretty exasperated with Cannondales idea that it was due to excessive turbo usage as he said there would've been excessive marking around rear drop outs if that was the case.
It seems in this instance Cannondale are digging their heels in, and are prepared to be as stubborn as me. Fair play to them, they obviously have confidence in their technical assessment of the damage and in the wording of their manual and warranty. Like I say, they know about the existence of this forum and I would welcome them to come on here and debate the issues openly.0 -
I've just done a quick search on my Strava account to find my turbo usage since I joined in May 2012. It equals 3hrs 16mins, with my last ride on the turbo on the 21st January 2013:
Turbo use since May 2012 by ratsbeyfus, on Flickr 0 -
DKay wrote:I was thinking of buying a 2014 Synapse 105 due to all of the good reviews it has had. After reading this thread, I don't think I will now. I'd imagine a lot of other potential Cannondale customers will also be similarly put off too.
Don't get me wrong... I really liked my Cannondale. I've had loads of different frames over the years since I was a kid (Dawes, Shogun, Giant, Dolan, Peregrotti) and my Cannondale was the first 'expensive' bike I bought. I really don't want you to be put off buying your dream bike, but it would be worth speaking to the dealer or Cannondale direct to get them to clarify exactly what you can and can't do on it. I've recommended Cannondale to people before but obviously won't be from now on.0 -
If folks are not going to buy a 'dale just because the OP didn't get his own way then fair enough ... Likely these same people don't ever buy a pint of beer because someone once spilled one ...0
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Party Weirdo wrote:If folks are not going to buy a 'dale just because the OP didn't get his own way then fair enough ... Likely these same people don't ever buy a pint of beer because someone once spilled one ...
You joined the forum a week ago so that you could make comments like that?0 -
ratsbeyfus wrote:Party Weirdo wrote:If folks are not going to buy a 'dale just because the OP didn't get his own way then fair enough ... Likely these same people don't ever buy a pint of beer because someone once spilled one ...
You joined the forum a week ago so that you could make comments like that?
I'm not going to get into a 'spat' about it all ... But my comment is no more or less valid based on number of posts (or threads in this case
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Party Weirdo wrote:ratsbeyfus wrote:Party Weirdo wrote:If folks are not going to buy a 'dale just because the OP didn't get his own way then fair enough ... Likely these same people don't ever buy a pint of beer because someone once spilled one ...
You joined the forum a week ago so that you could make comments like that?
I'm not going to get into a 'spat' about it all ... But my comment is no more or less valid based on number of posts (or threads in this case ).
I'm sorry if you think that two is too many threads - I did post in this one (or the other :?: ) why that was, and also posted a suggestion that the mods could merge them if they saw fit. Some BR users don't go in all the different areas of the forum though.
I don't want a 'spat' either - you're right... welcome to the forum.
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I have a £300 Chinese frame on my turbo for the last 3 years and it's still going strong.
A Turbo should not damage a frame0 -
Both my road bikes are Cannondale's, a Caad8 for winter duties and a System Six for summer. It's a bit worrying that Cannondale indicate fairly short lives for their frames!0
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Did the manual not state that improper mounting could damage the frame and then proceed to tell you how to mount the bike in a turbo?0
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patrickf wrote:Did the manual not state that improper mounting could damage the frame and then proceed to tell you how to mount the bike in a turbo?
Yep. But of course you should follow the mounting instructions given with the turbo.0 -
DKay wrote:I was thinking of buying a 2014 Synapse 105 due to all of the good reviews it has had. After reading this thread, I don't think I will now. I'd imagine a lot of other potential Cannondale customers will also be similarly put off too.
As long as it's clamped in tightly I think the properties of carbon fibre may be beneficial. It can flex numerous times without fatigue. It fails catastrophically when overloaded. Aluminium will fatigue with prolonged flex and eventually crack.
I've got 2012 Supersix carbon that has been in and out of a Kurt Kinetic trainer hundreds of times without problems. I also raise the front wheel and ride out of the saddle stressing it even more.0 -
If the warranty had said, do not use the frame on a turbo then fine, but it did not. It is just a get away clause and it seems like the will try and find anything they can not to honour it so I am not holding my breath if my Cannondale ever fails.
I am not buying another one, that is for sure.x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra0 -
For any manufacturer to claim a turbo is abnormal use, is absolutely ridiculous!
Hurtling down an Alp at 50mph and hitting bumps, potholes must place more stress on a frame than a turbo. If a company doesn't believe their frame can withstand my 270w on a turbo, then I don't want to know on the former.
Good on Argon offering sponsorship if you could break one of their frames!VO2 Max - 79 ml/kg/min
W/kg - 4.90 -
Turbo use or no turbo use, if the OP's statements are accurate then we all know that this bike was not damaged by a turbo. Many many cyclists do many many hours of turbo and rarely do frames crack.
This really is a poor show from the Cannondale distributor. They supposedly offer a lifetime warranty but basically.... not really. If ever there was an example of when this lifetime warranty should be used this is THE case but the distributor have weaseled their way out of it.
You'd expect better from such a big brand.0 -
PeteMadoc wrote:Turbo use or no turbo use, if the OP's statements are accurate then we all know that this bike was not damaged by a turbo. Many many cyclists do many many hours of turbo and rarely do frames crack.
This really is a poor show from the Cannondale distributor. They supposedly offer a lifetime warranty but basically.... not really. If ever there was an example of when this lifetime warranty should be used this is THE case but the distributor have weaseled their way out of it.
You'd expect better from such a big brand.
After their one and only written contact with me suggested they had made a final decision that was open to negotiation, it seems that Cannondale may now be reconsidering their position if their tweets to me this afternoon can be believed. Shame it takes such a lot of time and energy to get them to listen carefully to their customers. Fingers crossed here.0 -
Hi
Your problem with Cannondale sounds incredibly similar to my problem with the American Bike Group and my Merlin Cielo http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com/
I suggest you join the American forums and post as much as you can and SHOUT as loud as you can.
Cannondale rely on their brand. They need loyal customers who promote their bikes not cyclists that go round saying Oooooo I wouldn't buy a Cannondale the warranty is ......
My blog still gets about a 1000 hits a year. If you type "Merlin Cielo Warranty" or "Litespeed warranty" into Google my blog is still high on the list.
At the beginning of my battle with ABG I pointed out to them a simple fact "the internet never forgets"!
So get blogging, start SHOUTING and remember to get everyone and their dog to link to your blog from posts such as this.
p.s I love my Merlin Cielo (now it's fixed)Oh and please remember to click on my blog:
http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com
The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar
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Hi Infopete... did you have a thread about your Cielo on Bike Radar? If so, I think I remember reading about when I first joined the forum... you did a great job making your point iirc. I'm not sure if I have the energy (or goodwill from my wife) to spend any more time starting/monitoring even more online debates. I do believe that Cannondale might actually be realising that my displeasure with them has some merit, and if they don't, well I have faith that a small claim court judge will not be impressed by Cannondale's actions up to this point, nor their warranty.
But, if I end up with nothing but my broken Cannondale to show for all this, I'll go out and treat myself to a decent frame from another company, and stick the CAAD9 frame on my dusty old turbo! 0 -
Just read your blog - you're my hero!
Bit worried the fuzz might turn up at my door now, or Bike Radar will lock the thread...0 -
I didn't get blocked by BikeRadar but I did get thrown off the Tri forum in America.
Why not send Cannondale a link to my blog next time you email them?
The people at Cannondale need to look at what has happened to the Litespeed and Quintana Roo brands in the UK; upset your customers at your peril!Oh and please remember to click on my blog:
http://americanbicyclegroup.wordpress.com
The more clicks I get the higher it creeps up the google radar0 -
Party Weirdo wrote:If folks are not going to buy a 'dale just because the OP didn't get his own way then fair enough ... Likely these same people don't ever buy a pint of beer because someone once spilled one ...
This is a pretty stupid simile. Spending the best part of £2k on a road bike takes a bit more consideration than buying a £3 pint of beer. When dropping a load of cash on an item, hearing how a very large manufacturer deals with warrantee claims is enough to sway my decision about buying one of their products. Especially when that item is subjected to a lot of stress during it's intended use.0 -
^ The simile does it's job perfectly, highlighting the fact that many people buy Cannondale bikes and get on fine with them so basing a decision on one instance isn't really applying sensible logic.
It's a shame the OP's frame 'broke' but something made it happen if it was fine for several years before and from the description given by the OP, it doesn't sound like manufacturing failure.
As I said, if it was me I'd be peeved too, but an attempt at pseudo-bullying of the company over the internet and stirring up ill-will against the brand (sorry but 2 threads and many, many posts by the OP isn't just making a point) isn't bringing a new bike.0
