Road bikes and frame warranty

positron · 23-02-2011 1:59pm #1

Just wondering if warranty should be a deciding factor for road bikes? For instance, I was told that Cube, Specialized etc are offering lifelong warranty (I think) on their frames, where as the very popular Planet-X seems to be offering just 2 years for their carbon frames.

Thanks for your comments!

Lumen · 23-02-2011 2:00pm

If it hasn't cracked in the first year it probably never will.

positron · 23-02-2011 2:15pm

Really? Does that mean frames crack only if there are manufacturing defects, and won't wear out / stress out over years of use? Thanks!

vertigo1976 · 23-02-2011 2:38pm

I'd tend to agree with Lumen, if it doesn't break in the first few months then your probably fine. I have experience with composites through my profession and in my experience, older carbon structures don't lose their stiffness over time. In general, carbon fibre has a better fatigue life than steel or aluminium.

I do like the Planet X crash replacement policy though... 50% off for two years if you trash your frame in a crash..

ednwireland · 23-02-2011 2:51pm

focus only have 2 year frame warranties as well

jiffybag · 23-02-2011 7:50pm

Cube and Ridley will offer a 5yr warranty on manufactures defects on frame and forks. Dont think that they are allowed to claim lifetime warranty anymore . That term is too confusing to the consumer , lifetime warranty applies to the company percived life span of their product.

It is definatley something worth considering when purchasing an expensive peice of carbon! Frames can crack after 3 weeks or 3 years!

The two afore mentioned cpompanies also will do a discounted crash replacement coverage.

Road bikes and frame warranty

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