broken Ti/carbon frame

[The Gnome]

I think you will enjoy the Torelli steel if yours cannot be fixed. I have a Mondonico steel and I believe they are essentially the same.

Without getting into personal details, I don't have much cash...live on about 20 grand a year...so the lemond ti/carbon was my dream bike and huge deal for me...two years in and it pops and seriously looks like a split beer can...it will take me about a year or so to save up for the torelli frame but I think I will do so...I am not knocking carbon or newer frames or those who ride them...but my first bike, a steel Pinarello asolo...I rode that bike for 16 years and it still sits out in the shed, retired...the bike I had before this ti/carbon was/is a lemond zurich, all steel...it's now 12 years old, a '99...I love the thing...and rode it thru everything and used it in crappy weather to save the tete and baby it...and then the more expensive frame blows within 5 years...so I do think when I get something else I am gonna stick with the tried and true that has worked for me...

 

[MonsterMan]

Interesting. I wonder how prevalent this is. I have been offered bikes used by various shops' staff several times. They always seem to claim that the bike was only used for a few months and the owner is upgrading. If there is no warranty then it looks like a bit of a scam.

I'd say those offers you received could very well have been on the up and up. As with anything, most people are going to follow the rules, and don't want to risk whatever consequences come from breaking them. If someone is abusing pro deal privileges, the company offering the deal will find out with relative ease, and come back to that person.

Also, shop employees and owners usually can buy things directly from their store, and the rules for reselling those things would be determined by the shop. Nothing is free, so if you're offered a great deal on a lightly used bike a shop employee rode for a season and is in the right to sell, but it won't have a warranty, then that's the cost of the deal for you. Otherwise I'm sure the shop would be thrilled to sell you a new bike at full price with it's normal warranty.

 

[krebs303]

Yes, I think they are the same...was going for the Mondonico one actually...do you know which model you have? I was looking at the frame priced at 1300...thanks...

Futura Leggero

 

[richwagmn]

Without getting into personal details, I don't have much cash...live on about 20 grand a year...so the lemond ti/carbon was my dream bike and huge deal for me...two years in and it pops and seriously looks like a split beer can...it will take me about a year or so to save up for the torelli frame but I think I will do so...I am not knocking carbon or newer frames or those who ride them...but my first bike, a steel Pinarello asolo...I rode that bike for 16 years and it still sits out in the shed, retired...the bike I had before this ti/carbon was/is a lemond zurich, all steel...it's now 12 years old, a '99...I love the thing...and rode it thru everything and used it in crappy weather to save the tete and baby it...and then the more expensive frame blows within 5 years...so I do think when I get something else I am gonna stick with the tried and true that has worked for me...

Well, that totally sucks.

I still think the guy who sold it to you could have done more. There's just no way that frame should have done that.

I guess be happy it didn't happen in way that caused you some bodily harm. And yea, no money for Trek after something like that. Complete BS.

 

[cawright1375]

FYI, I just found some interesting news regarding Trek 5 series and the 6 series.

The 6 series is the only one still made in Wisconsin and is OCLV. Whereas the 5 series and lower models are made overseas. A friend has a 5.2 from 2009 and has had major issues with the "squishiness" of the bottom bracket. If he applies and sort of major power to it, the cranks literally skip as though the chain is coming off. He hasn't been impressed with the information he found out regarding this online. THe current 6 series equates to the older OCLV Madones.

 

[The Gnome]

update...so went straight to Trek...sent them photos...they don't seem to dispute that it was a major fault of their own work on the frame...but consider it not be under warranty ect ect ect...gave me the reason that tho I bought the bike from a dealer of theirs who did in fact receive a prodeal on the bike and quickly move it on to me they consider it to be a private sale and again offered to sell me a 2009 madone 5.5 for 1300 bucks...I told them to stuff it...no way am I giving Trek money...

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

update...so went straight to Trek...sent them photos...they don't seem to dispute that it was a major fault of their own work on the frame...but consider it not be under warranty ect ect ect...gave me the reason that tho I bought the bike from a dealer of theirs who did in fact receive a prodeal on the bike and quickly move it on to me they consider it to be a private sale and again offered to sell me a 2009 madone 5.5 for 1300 bucks...I told them to stuff it...no way am I giving Trek money...

and the sad thing is TREK is big enough to lose a few customers here and there because of these frame warranty issues. You can thank a certain person with the initials LA for turning TREK into a pile of heaping dung. They were a highly respected touring and adventure oriented bike mfg before LA came along.

 

[The Gnome]

and the sad thing is TREK is big enough to lose a few customers here and there because of these frame warranty issues. You can thank a certain person with the initials LA for turning TREK into a pile of heaping dung. They were a highly respected touring and adventure oriented bike mfg before LA came along.

I believe that and remember that way back as well...you know, technically, they can be right...I bought the bike from a dealer who had used it for a few months...so by the letter of the law, sure...but both the dealer's attitude and theirs has been so snotty...I finally said to them that "sure do what you have to...you know this frame totally failed due to shoddy workmanship...and I bought it from one of your dealers and even picked it up in his bike shop...trek logos everywhere...but ok...I can tell you tho that I do not want a madone for 1300 dollars...my feeling is that trek is going to lose quite a few further bike sales via my cycling club where folks are frankly pretty shocked at the hairsplitting going on here via your company backing up it's product...but that is your call..."

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Too bad man, hate to hear these stories. Are you looking at other mfg's? Hopefully some smaller companies that treat their customers like extended family.

 

[The Gnome]

Too bad man, hate to hear these stories. Are you looking at other mfg's? Hopefully some smaller companies that treat their customers like extended family.

well, I am thinking of a couple of options...one is a carbon frame from Pedal Force...doubt if they would be considered small tho...but their frames seem nice and certainly reasonably priced and I have seen some folks mention they like the frames...otherwise, which is probably the way I am going to go is save up abit more and order a Torelli Steel frame...I don't race anymore and would just like a good solid ride that is going to last a good bit of time...I appreciate the concern, but, yeah, it's life and what are you gonna do...

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

well, I am thinking of a couple of options...one is a carbon frame from Pedal Force...doubt if they would be considered small tho...but their frames seem nice and certainly reasonably priced and I have seen some folks mention they like the frames...otherwise, which is probably the way I am going to go is save up abit more and order a Torelli Steel frame...I don't race anymore and would just like a good solid ride that is going to last a good bit of time...I appreciate the concern, but, yeah, it's life and what are you gonna do...

If you're around 6' with about a 32" inseam I might have a frame for you which is brand new, never built up. It's basically a 2009 Scott R1 Addict with a beefier rear triangle. Sloping TT, 57cm seat tube C-T, 56.8 effective top tube C-T, 73 degree head and seat tube angles, 12k weave finish. $600 for the frame/fork/headset. That's cheaper than Pedal Force.

PM me if interested

 

[richwagmn]

If you're around 6' with about a 32" inseam I might have a frame for you which is brand new, never built up. It's basically a 2009 Scott R1 Addict with a beefier rear triangle. Sloping TT, 57cm seat tube C-T, 56.8 effective top tube C-T, 73 degree head and seat tube angles, 12k weave finish. $600 for the frame/fork/headset. That's cheaper than Pedal Force.

PM me if interested

Where were you when I needed a new frame this May? ;-)

Nice looking frame though.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Where were you when I needed a new frame this May? ;-)

Nice looking frame though.

In May I still was in the mindset of building this up. Decided recently to put my money into restoring my 1998 Colnago MasterXLight

 

[42x16ss]

In May I still was in the mindset of building this up. Decided recently to put my money into restoring my 1998 Colnago MasterXLight

And it's taken you this long to make that decision? You're talking about a Master X Light FFS!!! When it's done I want to see PHOTOS!

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

And it's taken you this long to make that decision? You're talking about a Master X Light FFS!!! When it's done I want to see PHOTOS!

2001, those were the glory days! You'll be waiting a while, it's a winter project.

 

[42x16ss]

I can wait.

IMO the Master X Light is easily the best looking (and riding) frame on the market without going custom. I was lucky enough to have one on loan for about 6 weeks last year and I fell in love with it to the point that I am scraping up the funds to get one myself.

 

[fatterboy]

They don't really look into that stuff. Give it a go.... with a good story of course.

YES THEY DO Trek in Aussy is now run by Trek USA SO DONT BOTHER

 

[The Gnome]

At this point...as I could not afford a new frame...I pulled out my old 1999 steel frame...I had jpweigled it years ago...stripped everything off and built it back up with my newer duraace stuff...no rust that I can see anywhere inside or outside...and rather than worrying about some new frame and some outrageous bill I can't afford anyhow, am riding it...bought a new stem and pulled stuff over from the broken one...and am just going with it as long as it goes...seems great so far for a 12 year old frame...and am trying to get over the bike industry bs about new frames, about stress levels via frames, about all of it...of the latest blah blah blah...and just make this my bike and feel good with it...maybe two pounds heavier than old broken crap frame...but honest and reliable and smooth...tired of all the new bike propaganda...not like I am racing anymore anyhow...just want to put in ten hours a week or so enjoying a good bike...we will see...