WARRANTY CLAIM ADVICE

[rockhopper]

Ladies and Gents, I am in need of some advice, I bought a road bike six weeks ago, brand new, i have used it back and to from work, everything was going great until this weekend, while riding to work i heard a loud bang, got off the bike inspected it and found two broken spokes, the shop repaired it today, then charged me, stating the manufacturer wanted the frame number and then they will decide if they pay towards the cost. the warranty does`nt state if spokes are coverd, anyone got any advice. Cheers

[thistle]

Spokes usually break due to fatigue, which happens over a long time (longer than 6 weeks). Fatigue failure happens at the ends of the spoke
Fatigue could have been accelerated by:
A manufacturing defect
Poor wheel build (one loose spoke, the other have to work harder)

I think you would have spotted one spoke loosening as it would send the wheel out of true and it would make all the others go loose very quickly.

Other things can cause spokes to break, usually an impact (vertical - potholes, horizontal - unlucky encounter with a stone). Normally with potholes though you just end up with strained wrists, sore arse/balls and out of true wheel if unlucky.

At 6 weeks old I'd suspect there was something up with the spokes. Unless you've been jumping or riding unsurfaced roads it's hard to say it was wear and tear.

I would have thought the bike shop would have fixed it for free as it's the first offence, just from a customer relations point of view. Alf Jones rebuilt my MTB wheel when it fell to bits after going around Llandegla!

[Paul]

Sounds to me like a poorly built wheel with an overstressed spoke failing. What make of bike is it? Worth finding out who the distributor is and take it up with them.

Did you check the terms of the warrantee yourself to confirm or deny what the bike shop claimed??

[rockhopper]

Thanks for the reply, I`m looking into it tomorrow in more detail.

[rockhopper]

Well with little moaning, i have been given credit towards the payment of the repair, it covers the whole cost. Result.