Allez MY 2018 Fork Recall

clc2005

I've posted this in Road Buying Advice section feel free to move to another section if this is more relevant.

I have had my Model Year 2018 Allez since mid November 2017 and would like to canvas opinion of other owners regarding the Global Fork recall announced last week:-

Has anyone had anything meaningful from their Retailer yet in terms of timescales when the replacement forks will be available? BikeRadar quoted the end of February 2018 whilst another website quoted April 2018. I contacted my Retailer on Wednesday (think fashionable plus size clothing!) and they didn't really know any more than me.

BikeRadar also quotes "Specialized is also offering a $75 customer appreciation credit for this inconvenience". Has anyone in the UK had confirmation we will be getting a similar offer or not?

Finally, Specialized advises to stop riding the bike immediately, the Fork issue is safety related etc. What recourse would I have, if any, under UK consumer law if the replacement Forks take until say March or April 2018? I bought the bike specifically to ride through the winter - come March or April I would start to ride my best bike again. What is a reasonable time to wait for replacement Forks and when is the bike not considered fit for purpose?

Out of interest this is my second Fork recall in 13 bikes spanning 26 years. My first Fork recall was on a Kona Explisif in 1991!

Regards CLC

bmxboy10

Call Specialized I think they are still based in Surrey. Should be able to google the contact number they are very helpful.



Address: 29, Barwell Business Park, Leatherhead Rd, Chessington KT9 2NY



Phone: 020 8391 3500

keef66

clc2005 wrote:

BikeRadar also quotes "Specialized is also offering a $75 customer appreciation credit for this inconvenience". Has anyone in the UK had confirmation we will be getting a similar offer or not?

You may be lucky with the cash / credit, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

It could be like the compensation paid by VAG to dieselgate owners in the USA. All we got over here was a recall for a 'fix' to be done, and which in some cases caused premature failure of MAF sensors and other expensive emission control components shortly thereafter.

timbo_tim

In exactly the same position as OP, bought bike for winter, now can’t use it which is a bit frustrating. I spoke to Specialized the day of the recall and they couldn’t add much info over and above the notice on their website. Still waiting for fork manufacture, Evans too knew very little so I’m in the dark. Not holding out for the compensation but you never know.

In terms of riding I suspect your recourse is zero since they have issued a Stop riding notice, so down to you on the risks of having a faulty crown...to my mind if it fails on a ride it could be pretty “eventful” so I’m inclined to whack it on the turbo for the winter until there is more news.

Sorry can’t add to the news flow just wanted to share my feelings/have a minor vent...

keef66

If I didn't have another bike I'd probably still ride the thing, but periodically check the area around the fork crown for signs of paint cracking / movement. I do have a track record of taking risks with my personal safety though. You may be more risk averse.

I imagine their Stop Riding notice was at the insistence of their lawyers who don't want a multi million dollar lawsuit in the US.

timbo_tim

Just received an email from Evans confirming a £75 evans voucher, update on when forks are ready is expected mid January though they will be fitted at no cost...

clc2005

Me too also from Evans...It's as if someone was reading my mind!
The voucher and the replacement Fork in January 2018 seems good to me - let's see how it goes for everyone. Being an Engineer I know these things do happen from time to time - they shouldn't, but they do. What matters most from a Customer perspective is how they are dealt with by the Manufacturer (and Retailer in this case). From what I have read on here over the years, Specialized is one of better/best brands when dealing with warranty issues. I know this situation is something completely different altogether. However, I think there are more than a few other Brands out there that could learn a thing or two from them.
I'll update this topic once I have a date for my replacement Forks.

Regards CLC

keef66

Well that is good news, and for me quite a pleasant surprise. Exemplary customer service from Specialized / Evans. Hope the actual replacement process is as quick / smooth.

You're doing better than the US owners if they are only getting $75!

mark122

Where do you stand with getting a refund if wanted?

clc2005

Mark122,

The consumer contracts regs (replaced distance selling regs a few years ago) states the legal minimum for cancellation of orders made over the internet (or phone) is 7 working days starting the day you place the order. Most retailers improve on this i.e. Evans is 30 elapsed days. Unfortunately, I was just beyond this cut off point when the recall notice was issued - otherwise I would have gone down this route.

Reading my email again regarding the fork recall, mid Jan 2018 we will be given an expected receipt date when the forks should be available not the actual forks - hopefully, the replacements will carried out in Feb 2018 and not later. A good indication of fork availability would be when the large online retailers start offering the MY 2018 Allez range as it has been removed from most sites that I looked at.

Regards CLC

Tycefn

Sounds as if i’m lucky as my lbs (Summit Cycles in Aberystwyth) has fitted temporary forks (Specialized) on my bike free of charge so i can keep riding until the replacement forks arrive. I’ve also had a £75 voucher to spend on Specialized equipment.

bm_82

Hi. Has anyone heard anything lately? This is dragging on and I'm getting frustrated I have a bike I can't ride with no idea when it will be fixed.

clc2005

I have no good news unfortunately.
Last Thursday Evans told me "Specialized have advised they should be able to provide an update on Monday, the 22nd at which point we will make contact with you." I haven't heard anything yet and it's now the 23rd so am not best pleased.
I personally think we'll be looking at a timeframe of end of March - end of April 2018 for the replacement Forks. I'm quite surprised Stateside customers haven't attempted to get refunds for their bikes citing the Lemon laws.

timbo_tim

Clc2005 have you received your “order” for replacement forks from Evans yet? I only received confirmation on Monday but then I only followed up with them Friday! There are no timescales on the order but it is at least formal comms that something is happening.

Hate to sound greedy but am starting to think £75 (in evans vouchers not cash) does not really offset the fact that I have a winter bike that I won’t be able to ride until spring when the best bike comes out of hibernation. First world problems I guess-at least I have another bike to use!

clc2005

timbo_tim I've received squat from Evans.

I have therefore raised another case for them to:- tell me when the Forks are going to be replaced, formally order me some replacement Forks like you (although I already requested this in December when the issue first came to light).

I also asked them why it is me having to doing the running around and not them. Let's see what response I get.

timbo_tim

Just in from Evans "Unfortunately we are still awaiting news from Specialized and at this time, do not have an update as to when we can expect the replacement forks for the Allez" - more uncertainty!

bm_82

Update on here - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/safety-notices

pilot_pete

Can you not just fall back on consumer protection rights? Surely the bike is not fit for purpose and therefore you could just demand they take it back and return your funds? Has anyone approached Trading Standards? The longer it drags on with you not being able to use your bike, surely the stronger your case?

PP

ayank

bm_82 wrote:

Update on here - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/safety-notices

I deal with recalls (the legal side) a lot in my field (but not in bikes). The language in that document is written clearly by a lawyer and I interpret it to be that you'll get a small trickle of forks in early February at best.

The key thing to note is that there is no end date and the open ended "first come first served basis". We use that language a lot to manage people's expectations by putting the blame back on the consumer if you ask why isn't my fork ready?

slowbike

Apparently - your forks are ready for fitting

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/produ ... ars-363358

joe_totale-2

My sources (before you ask it's HP) tell me that the replacement forks are actually Specialized Tarmac ones which would mean an upgrade in fork but also creates an issue as they don't have mudguard eyelets.

Specialized are having to bodge a solution so that mudguards can still be used but it could have an effect on tyre clearance.

timbo_tim

I hope that’s not true as that was the only reason I got the Allez in the first place. If that is the case, do I have a case to swap the bike for something that does what the original purchase was intended to do

clc2005

I hope not either as I bought this bike for the sole reason it could fit full mudguards with proper attachments, but wasn't a full on winter trainer. I'm not sure what the clearances would be like on the new Tarmac fork. The fork on my summer bike, a 2017 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX, has 5-6mm clearance under the fork crown with 25mm wide tyres fitted on 17c internal rims, which is similar to the clearance on the Allez albeit under the brakes. If clearance on the new Tarmac Fork is acceptable the Mudguard Stays will have to be attached to the Fork via some kind of bodge as mentioned earlier (P Clip or Axiom Mudguard Axle Runners). If the final solution is the new Tarmac Fork (and we don't know this yet) I would be keen to know why it took 2 months for a solution that was already on the shelf? I for one will be taking the issue up with Evans as I don't want bodged Mudguard attachment.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Joe Totale wrote:

My sources (before you ask it's HP) tell me that the replacement forks are actually Specialized Tarmac ones which would mean an upgrade in fork but also creates an issue as they don't have mudguard eyelets.

Specialized are having to bodge a solution so that mudguards can still be used but it could have an effect on tyre clearance.

If your source is correct, that's a pretty shocking resolution by a big bike brand, IMO.

Owners have been waiting all winter for a fork that isn't being produced on a special run to sort out the problem that has prevented them using their bike.
And then your old mudguards sound like they won't fit.

Let me guess, Specialized do some clip-on guards that fit the Tarmac fork they plan to fit, which uses a big chunk of their apologetic £75 voucher given out before Xmas?

clc2005

Has anyone in the UK or further afield actually received their replacement Forks yet? I got an email late last week from Evans saying they still have no expected date for the replacement Forks - I believe they have put the order in though. The S Concept Store still includes the Stop Sale Notice, which is a little telling.

crackerfarmboy

Hi guys new member here. Same boat 2018 allez. Know nothing, my lbs know nothing...totally fed up. Been following this thread for a while now. Bought an allez as an insurance payout for a stolen mtb just to try road biking, loved it, joined a club, two months later no bike. Three months out of the saddle so far...shocking I reckon.

timbo_tim

Evans update: new bike (I think they mean fork!) is in store and will soon be ready for collection. Progress! Though remains to be seen if its a non-mudguard Tarmac fork resprayed in Allez colours...

timbo_tim

Prepare to be disappointed people - Evans just confirmed that the forks have NO eyelets, could be the nail in the coffin for me with this bike. Bought specifically as a winter bike, with mounts and its been the bike equivalent of SORNed for winter and now has no mounts! Maybe insignificant to some, but important to me, although as per my other thread despite many claims in the press etc, fitting the front guard actually required a bodge job to the mounting plate (specifically recommended by Specialised themselves).

Not overly impressed tbh

crackerfarmboy

timbo_tim wrote:

Prepare to be disappointed people - Evans just confirmed that the forks have NO eyelets, could be the nail in the coffin for me with this bike. Bought specifically as a winter bike, with mounts and its been the bike equivalent of SORNed for winter and now has no mounts! Maybe insignificant to some, but important to me, although as per my other thread despite many claims in the press etc, fitting the front guard actually required a bodge job to the mounting plate (specifically recommended by Specialised themselves).

Not overly impressed tbh

So where do you go now? Can you go down the trading standards route? I think this whole thing has been handled badly imho.

clc2005

So question is, post Fork replacement will Specialized or Evans be providing a means to attach the Mudguard Stays to the Fork Blades as the mudguard bosses have been deleted? I also echo some other peoples feelings on this one - this could have been dealt with better. The replacement fork doesn't have mudguard mounting bosses and potentially less clearance to fit full coverage mudguards (i.e. p35s). If this is the case I will be looking into making a claim/lodge a complaint. Longer term I will be probably be looking to get rid as I haven't got room in the stable for a bike that doesn't do what it says on the tin.

timbo_tim

clc2005 wrote:

So question is, post Fork replacement will Specialized or Evans be providing a means to attach the Mudguard Stays to the Fork Blades as the mudguard bosses have been deleted? I also echo some other peoples feelings on this one - this could have been dealt with better. The replacement fork doesn't have mudguard mounting bosses and potentially less clearance to fit full coverage mudguards (i.e. p35s). If this is the case I will be looking into making a claim/lodge a complaint. Longer term I will be probably be looking to get rid as I haven't got room in the stable for a bike that doesn't do what it says on the tin.

Spoke to Specialized to explain I wasn't happy, they did confirm that adaptors to go over QR (Axiom runners maybe) will be sent out to specialized UK (not sure how we get them though). Didn't offer much else despite me sofly asking for a refund!

Anyone's guess what the clearance on new forks will be like - it was tight enough on the original versions...