Specialized OEM rear hubs

[DirtyWorks]

I aggree. This must be the worst kind of PR for Specialized. Claiming the hub was general wear and tear after 1800 miles then replacing the wheelset with their competitors wheelset. This is a true indication that Specialized know their wheelset is a lemon and have no confidence in replacing it or repairing it with their own brand.

I would even suggest that Specialized should consider a recall on this wheelset, as it appears they have no confidence in its quality.

I have no sympathy for these pleas of justice. Exhausting the customer in order to contain warranty costs is part of the low-cost bargain struck when the bicycle was purchased. Few want to pay the cost of legitimate and comprehensive warranty support. So, most take a chance on the low-cost stuff. And then when they are burned cry foul.

Phil Wood hubs come to mind as an excellent alternative. Comprehensive support and a bulletproof product.... at a price that few are willing to pay.

I have many problems with the bike industry, and this case is not one of them. A chance was taken that a low-cost option would actually work out. And it didn't.

Yes, it would have been nice if the 'Big S' quietly handled the hub issue, but a company does not grow to the size of the "Big S" by honoring warranty support. That's just plain expensive. If they did honor warranty claims well, then there would be some other brand doing exactly what the 'Big S' did in this situation and the "Big S" would not be very big at all.

 

[dsut4392]

I have no sympathy for these pleas of justice. Exhausting the customer in order to contain warranty costs is part of the low-cost bargain struck when the bicycle was purchased. Few want to pay the cost of legitimate and comprehensive warranty support. So, most take a chance on the low-cost stuff. And then when they are burned cry foul.

I couldn't disagree more - surely you're joking? If you aren't willing to pay (or just can't afford) the price Phil Wood asks, you should just bend over and take it 'cause that's the bargain you struck? I would hate to be your customer!

Specialized, like any company, claim to offer their customers legitimate and comprehensive warranty support no matter what price point of the equipment they are selling. The bargain struck with the purchaser is that the gear will meet their reasonable expectations, or will be supported by warranty.

I note the OP never suggested he expected the freehub to last forever, nor do suggest it should have. I would however expect the reasonable life for a freehub at any price point to be more than 10 months/1800 miles (in the absence of full immersion in water or power washing).

The internal bargain that 'decent' manufacturers strike is that most purchasers at the cheap end of the product range will be light users, and as such will be unlikely to need to claim on the warranty as the product will work just fine for them. For the outliers that break or wear out stuff, 'decent' manufacturers will quickly and quietly honour their warranty, having factored this obligation (a legal obligation, let's not forget) into their costs.