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Canyon frame keeps cracking - what would you do?

Gazmania1Gazmania1 Posts: 87
edited August 2014 in Road buying advice
Morning all,

Just want to get some opinions on something. I have a Canyon CF SLX and am currently on my 3rd frame in 4 months. The problem I've had is the frame keeps developing a little crack around the seatpost clamp area. Canyon have always replaced the frame quickly and without fuss but I have just discovered the 3rd frame is beginning to show signs of cracking in exactly the same place as all the other frames. I don't just want them to send me another frame as I would imagine the same thing would happen again. They don't seem to me to be addressing why the frame keeps doing this. I weigh 80 kgs and the seat post is only exposed up to level 5.5 so no issues there. I've had both the vcls and vcls 2.0 seat post and different clamps and it's cracked with all of them.

Normally I would just ask for a refund by now but I love the bike (when it works). Would you cut your losses and take a refund or would you try and push for them to look at this properly?

Cheers
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Posts

  • flasherflasher Posts: 1,734
    Go for a refund, 3 frames in 4 months is crazy.
  • smoggystevesmoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    I would take the refund. I know you will be gutted to have to change but if Canyon themselves dont know or are just not letting on, its time you are spending not enjoying your bike. If this was a car I would demand a refund. They are terrific bikes but if its happened 3 times are you ever going to feel 100% confident in it?
  • giant_mangiant_man Posts: 6,878
    This is ridiculous, refund imo. You can't keep going on and on ...
  • passoutpassout Posts: 4,425
    Refund and move to another brand.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • rickeverettrickeverett Posts: 988
    I wouldnt risk it again.

    Either its a batch fault or the frame design is too thin or dodgy in that area.


    I would take a refund and go with a ROSE Xeon CRS.
  • banditvicbanditvic Posts: 546
    I have had this years ago with a Orange mountain bike, turned out to be wrong size seatpost have you checked this or are they sending you new bikes.
  • antsmithmkantsmithmk Posts: 717
    rickeverett wrote:
    I wouldnt risk it again.

    Either its a batch fault or the frame design is too thin or dodgy in that area.


    I would take a refund and go with a ROSE Xeon CRS.

    +1 for the Rose.

    Better than a Canyon, cheaper than a Canyon, delivered in 2 weeks.... Unlike a Canyon. Doesn't fall to bits.... Like a Canyon!!!
  • mikeneticmikenetic Posts: 486
    Refund. You only have to see how many other people have had the same issue with the 2013 SLX models to start thinking that there's a design flaw in there.
  • charlie_potatoescharlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    antsmithmk wrote:
    rickeverett wrote:
    I wouldnt risk it again.

    Either its a batch fault or the frame design is too thin or dodgy in that area.


    I would take a refund and go with a ROSE Xeon CRS.

    +1 for the Rose.

    Better than a Canyon, cheaper than a Canyon, delivered in 2 weeks.... Unlike a Canyon. Doesn't fall to bits.... Like a Canyon!!!

    My Nan was called Rose.
    So I suppose my Grandad used to ride one. :lol:
    Can you pick 'Blue rinse' as a colour option?
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • adamfoadamfo Posts: 763
    edited June 2014
    It must be the flexing post + efforts to reduce frame weight. The non-sprung VCLS post flexes more than any carbon post on the market.

    http://www.roadbike.de/test/parts/11-ca ... 17.9.htm#2
  • rickeverettrickeverett Posts: 988
    Charlie Potatoes wrote:
    antsmithmk wrote:
    rickeverett wrote:
    I wouldnt risk it again.

    Either its a batch fault or the frame design is too thin or dodgy in that area.


    I would take a refund and go with a ROSE Xeon CRS.

    +1 for the Rose.

    Better than a Canyon, cheaper than a Canyon, delivered in 2 weeks.... Unlike a Canyon. Doesn't fall to bits.... Like a Canyon!!!

    My Nan was called Rose.
    So I suppose my Grandad used to ride one. :lol:
    Can you pick 'Blue rinse' as a colour option?

    bet your Nan didnt look this good...
    003.jpg

    OP needs to get a Xeon CRS or X-Lite. Lighter than a Canyon, Cheaper, Better Spec, Better service. mmmmmmm sexy.
  • charlie_potatoescharlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    rickeverett wrote:
    Charlie Potatoes wrote:
    antsmithmk wrote:
    rickeverett wrote:
    I wouldnt risk it again.

    Either its a batch fault or the frame design is too thin or dodgy in that area.


    I would take a refund and go with a ROSE Xeon CRS.

    +1 for the Rose.

    Better than a Canyon, cheaper than a Canyon, delivered in 2 weeks.... Unlike a Canyon. Doesn't fall to bits.... Like a Canyon!!!

    My Nan was called Rose.
    So I suppose my Grandad used to ride one. :lol:
    Can you pick 'Blue rinse' as a colour option?

    bet your Nan didnt look this good...
    003.jpg

    OP needs to get a Xeon CRS or X-Lite. Lighter than a Canyon, Cheaper, Better Spec, Better service. mmmmmmm sexy.

    Oh dear :lol:
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • borisfaceborisface Posts: 273
    Canyon obviously sell a lot of these. I have a few mates who ride them without an apparent issue. How about talking to canyon (if you can get hold of them) and explaining your discontent at the issues you are having, 3 frames really isn't very good at all. You have to decide your tactics - do you want another canyon or a refund? The ball's in your court either should be acheiveable. Seeing that you really like the bike, maybe you could swap it for another canyon in the range, like the aeroad CF? Alternatively, with your refund lots of choice around including the rose if that floats your boat.
  • exlaserexlaser Posts: 261
    Refund or maybe think about the aero model or if it was me, I would think about a ultimate al.
    Van Nicholas Ventus
    Rose Xeon RS
  • charlie_potatoescharlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    Why not just cut a bit off the tube with an angle grinder?
    It'll only take a minute and the jobs a good un!
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • Miles253Miles253 Posts: 535
    I would definitely get a refund, thats a really poor failure rate. New Aeroad is likely out soon, you could opt for that instead if you didn't want a refund
    Canyon Roadlite AL-Shamal Wheels-Centaur/Veloce Group
    Canyon Ult CF SL- Spin Koppenberg-Ultegra group
  • crescentcrescent Posts: 1,199
    That's really disappointing, I really like their bikes and it was definitely on the shortlist for my next bike (my short list consists of about 20 bikes though :oops: )

    Just wondered if they are a subsidiary of this company

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZeFDe44Ddo
    Bianchi ImpulsoBMC Teammachine SLR02 01Trek Domane AL3“When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. “ ~H.G. Wells Edit - "Unless it's a BMX"
  • ddcooksonddcookson Posts: 34
    Hi, as I have the same bike and am concerned do you have any images you could post of the failure.

    Thanks
  • Gazmania1Gazmania1 Posts: 87
    I have many....

    Try this link to one of the pictures, the cracks aren't major but nonetheless shouldn't be happening

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/k2hi3hwfdg39r ... .30.47.jpg
  • CrozzaCrozza Posts: 991
    ddcookson wrote:
    Hi, as I have the same bike and am concerned do you have any images you could post of the failure.

    Thanks

    viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12903747&start=900

    I'm on my second frame due to crack just like the one pictured, and as described in this thread

    viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12903747&start=900

    it took them 3 weeks to replace my frame and swap all bits over, if they've done it three times for the OP does that mean you've been without a bike for months?

    I would have given up by now. although like you say, when not breaking the frame is wonderful
  • tmgtmg Posts: 651
    I'd be asking them that if this is a known issue what are they doing to permanently fix it and how can they assure you it wont happen to the replacement frame. If there response is unconvincing I'd be asking for money back. I'm not up to date on Canyon frame sets but is an upgrade (for free bc of inconvenience) an option?
  • Gazmania1Gazmania1 Posts: 87
    To be fair to Canyon, the first time it cracked they sent me a new frame and it arrived within 6 days but I had to pay to swap components over (choice was they would do it but it would take 3 weeks or they could send me frame and I pay a shop and I needed it to go to Majorca). Second time they had it for about 3 weeks. This 3rd time, I've still got the bike as only noticed the crack on Sat.
  • Gazmania1Gazmania1 Posts: 87
    tmg wrote:
    I'd be asking them that if this is a known issue what are they doing to permanently fix it and how can they assure you it wont happen to the replacement frame. If there response is unconvincing I'd be asking for money back. I'm not up to date on Canyon frame sets but is an upgrade (for free bc of inconvenience) an option?

    This is what I've decided to do. If there was another bike as good for the money I'd be happy to grab a refund but I've been looking around and can't seem to find anything that's as good value for money.
  • chewywahidchewywahid Posts: 28
    Gazmania1 wrote:
    To be fair to Canyon, the first time it cracked they sent me a new frame and it arrived within 6 days but I had to pay to swap components over (choice was they would do it but it would take 3 weeks or they could send me frame and I pay a shop and I needed it to go to Majorca). Second time they had it for about 3 weeks. This 3rd time, I've still got the bike as only noticed the crack on Sat.
    I had Canyon send the replacement frame and they paid for bits to swap over. Did you have the wider seat clamp?
  • bernithebikerbernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Gazmania1 wrote:
    tmg wrote:
    I'd be asking them that if this is a known issue what are they doing to permanently fix it and how can they assure you it wont happen to the replacement frame. If there response is unconvincing I'd be asking for money back. I'm not up to date on Canyon frame sets but is an upgrade (for free bc of inconvenience) an option?

    This is what I've decided to do. If there was another bike as good for the money I'd be happy to grab a refund but I've been looking around and can't seem to find anything that's as good value for money.

    It ain't good value for money if you can't ride it a good portion of the year...!
  • LegendLustLegendLust Posts: 1,022
    bernithebiker wrote:
    Gazmania1 wrote:
    tmg wrote:
    I'd be asking them that if this is a known issue what are they doing to permanently fix it and how can they assure you it wont happen to the replacement frame. If there response is unconvincing I'd be asking for money back. I'm not up to date on Canyon frame sets but is an upgrade (for free bc of inconvenience) an option?

    This is what I've decided to do. If there was another bike as good for the money I'd be happy to grab a refund but I've been looking around and can't seem to find anything that's as good value for money.

    It ain't good value for money if you can't ride it a good portion of the year...!

    Exactly! Sending frames back and forth doesn't sound like good value to me. It amazes me how many people recommend Canyons when these problems are going on
    Selling my Legend frame
    http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/
  • Bar ShakerBar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    I am surprised that Canyon keep selling them. They must be suffering real pain with this and there is lots more pain to come, whilst people are still riding bikes in warranty.

    You have to wonder how long they can keep just mailing out new frames, FOC.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • charlie_potatoescharlie_potatoes Posts: 1,921
    Bar Shaker wrote:
    I am surprised that Canyon keep selling them. They must be suffering real pain with this and there is lots more pain to come, whilst people are still riding bikes in warranty.

    You have to wonder how long they can keep just mailing out new frames, FOC.

    How many have they had to replace so far?
    "You really think you can burn off sugar with exercise?" downhill paul
  • dennisndennisn Posts: 10,601
    rickeverett wrote:
    Lighter than a Canyon, Cheaper, Better Spec, Better service. mmmmmmm sexy.

    Explain "better spec". :?
  • How Far is too FarHow Far is too Far Posts: 534
    Is it just the 2013 CF SLX frames that suffer from this?

    I have done 4000 miles on a 2014 CF SL and so far so good I am 82kg and ride over some fairly rough roads?
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