I have an aluminum Blur XC that isn't yet 3 years old. A crack has developed in the weld just over the bottom bracket where it attaches to the seat tube. It starts at the weld and continues around to about the mid point of the seat tube. I took it up to the dealer who will be getting in touch with Santa Cruz for me, but what do you think SC will do? They have a pretty crappy 2 year warranty, which is about 8 months gone in my case. And this is clearly a mfg issue, not a crash issue. Am I going to be out cash for a whole new frame?
Have you called and talked to SC about the issue? Rather than complain right out of the box, give them a call, they are known for taking care of their customers!
Not to imply anything, but that is a common fatigue spot for heavier riders due to seat angle and torqueing the seat tube. I am not positive to what their action will be but it may mean a new front triangle.
Speaking of the warrantee, MOST manufacturer defects will happen in the first 2 years of abuse. If you own a bike from say Specialized, Trek or C'dale that claim to offer a Lifetime Warrantee...don't think its comparable to that of Craftman Handtools! They do one free replacement, and you don't have a choice of color or paint, ano or powdercoat, and have to pay to have it installed by an authorized seller. If you break the replacement after 1 year, you are S.O.L.! Atleast with Santa Cruz, you may not have a "free replacement" warrantee, but you have a warrantee that covers the product for as long as you own it, and replacements are all at a significantly reduced cost, often close to the same price as a LBS would charge to swap all the parts over to your new frame on a "lifetime warrantee free replacement." So it breaks down to being about the same cost to you in the end.
This isn't directed towards SevenStory directly, but being disgruntal like that while presenting a situation (problem)to a representative rarely works 100% in your favor. Atleast, polite and enthusiastic...even if the situation is against you. It is in their power to help you the customer..additude can impact how much assistance you receive..if any, if the additude really sucks.
I'm not complaining about Santa Cruz. I have no reason to yet. They haven't got back with the bike shop or me to this point. My reason for posting was to see if anyone has been in a similar situation so that I may know what to expect. I used a red face on the post, because my bike is cracked. It sucks. I have a race in 8 days, and I need to find something to run that day.
To dub, I'm 5'11'' at 170 lbs, so if it is fatigue, it's not because of my weight. And I haven't been disgruntle with anyone. I did say SC has a crappy warranty, and on the face of it, they do. If they take care of me like you suggest may happen, then I will be on here the minute it happens and post about it. But I didn't know what to expect, thus my post.
To kuuk. Companies love customers like me. They get my money. A lot of money, actually. Did I call them? No, I went through the shop, which I assumed was the best point of contact. This post was to see how SC treated someone else in my shoes. If you have no useful information about my request, please don't assume I want your opinion.
Thanks!
This post was to see how SC treated someone else in my shoes. If you have no useful information about my request, please don't assume I want your opinion.Thanks!
Having been lurking in this forum a while, I must say that overwhelmingly the response by SC to owners who have reported bikes with failures has been positive. Seems SC has been very supportive of them in the past, so I see no reason why they shouldn't be so with your bike in this case. Hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted. Good luck.
I'm not complaining about Santa Cruz. I have no reason to yet. They haven't got back with the bike shop or me to this point. My reason for posting was to see if anyone has been in a similar situation so that I may know what to expect. I used a red face on the post, because my bike is cracked. It sucks. I have a race in 8 days, and I need to find something to run that day.
To dub, I'm 5'11'' at 170 lbs, so if it is fatigue, it's not because of my weight. And I haven't been disgruntle with anyone. I did say SC has a crappy warranty, and on the face of it, they do. If they take care of me like you suggest may happen, then I will be on here the minute it happens and post about it. But I didn't know what to expect, thus my post.
To kuuk. Companies love customers like me. They get my money. A lot of money, actually. Did I call them? No, I went through the shop, which I assumed was the best point of contact. This post was to see how SC treated someone else in my shoes. If you have no useful information about my request, please don't assume I want your opinion.
Thanks!
What would make you say that their warranty is crappy? They offer two years and then a fixed price crash replacement program for the original owner for the duration of ownership or model lifespan. SC also offers a lifetime warranty on their bearings.
These are taken right from these manufacturers websites.
Intense 2 years, Ellsowrth 2 years, Yeti runs a 2 year on their DH bikes, 5 years on their other bikes, Specialized pulls a fast one lifetime except on any shock link, pivot, seat or chain stay or any other suspension part is 1 year, Cannondale is lifetime on their regular frames, but 3 years on DH/Freeride, Trek is the same as specialized warranting main frame for life but not suspension parts which are two years and 3 years on their DH/Freeride bikes, Ibis is 3 years, Titus has up to 1 year on suspension parts, up to 3 years on aluminum frame components, up to 5 years on carbon frame components, and up to lifetime on Ti stuff. Rocky Mountain has five years limited which excludes suspension parts which are warranted for 1 year, Pivot 3 years, Turner 2 years.
So if you are comparing them with the big companies you need to read the fine print because there's a reason they don't warranty suspension parts, its where bikes break most. Some of them do have better warranties and some just appear better. If you are comparing them with the smaller companies they are right on par with the industry standard. They don't have the best warranty or the worst but they have great customer service.
I see your point, but in my particular case, using your examples, my frame would still be covered under warranty if it were a Yeti, Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Titus, Ibis, Rocky Mountain or Pivot. My frame isn't broken at the suspension, it's cracked in the front triangle at a weld. The crash replacement is a great offer from SC, but my bike wasn't crashed. It's a defect. Again, I don't know what SC will do for me, so I will keep you posted.
I see your point, but in my particular case, using your examples, my frame would still be covered under warranty if it were a Yeti, Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Titus, Ibis, Rocky Mountain or Pivot. My frame isn't broken at the suspension, it's cracked in the front triangle at a weld. The crash replacement is a great offer from SC, but my bike wasn't crashed. It's a defect. Again, I don't know what SC will do for me, so I will keep you posted.
I know Intense also had this issue on their early 5.5 and Spyder VPP models as well. SC has had a number of failures here on Blur and BLT models pre 2008. Something in that early design with the VPP caused the frame to crack occasionally where yours broke. I say occasionally because I rode one for 6 years and never had any issues with it. I would guess the majority of Blur's didn't have the issue, but its well known to SC. Keep us informed.
Just a couple of weeks ago another rider posted about his generation 1 Nomad breaking and SC upgrading him to a generation 2. I highly doubt they have any Gen 1 Blur stock left. They might, but my guess is they'll work something out with a Gen 2 which is a much better bike.
It sucks to have your frame crack. I had an Ellsworth Truth that cracked at the chain stay yoke just out of warranty. I was told I get a free one and at the end of the month they charged my card with $280 for it. I was a little surprised since all I ordered was new bushings for the shock and was quite astounded to see the "free" stay cost me $280. Then it cracked again at the BB and HT junctions. I was quoted $300 for a new front, and then I called back to check on their progress again it was $700, and then the next time they were going to upgrade me to a new frame for $1200. SC won't treat you like that. I hear Ellsworth has improved the CS department, but I'll never own another.
I started shopping around and ended up at SC. They've been great at every turn for me. I hope they prove our trust in them right and take care of things for you.
Verdict is in. They are going to send me a new front triangle for $250. Luckily, they have the same color and finish that I already have. Bike shop wants to charge me $150 to rebuild it all. So I am out $400 for an $1800 frame that didn't even last 3 years. I'm thinking about just getting the frame put together and selling it. So if anyone's interested...
Verdict is in. They are going to send me a new front triangle for $250. Luckily, they have the same color and finish that I already have. Bike shop wants to charge me $150 to rebuild it all. So I am out $400 for an $1800 frame that didn't even last 3 years. I'm thinking about just getting the frame put together and selling it. So if anyone's interested...
For use of a mt bike for 3 years, the opportunity to get a brand new front triangle for $250 seems a reasonable compromise.
Be prepared to be out $400 and more if you try to sell it. Bike frames, whether alu or carbon, take a huge depreciation hit like new cars once driven off the lot.
7 story, I hear your frustration, but like riding dirtbikes, mtb is a better sport if you accept that ***** breaks sometimes, and you learn to fix it. You could invest that $150 in some tools and learn to build 'em up yourself. a front triangle swap with bearings installed isn't hard. Allen wrenches, a BB tool, and either read the dozens of threads for home headset removal and installation - or just bring the old front and the new front to the shop and have them charge you $50 for the five minute job to swap the cups.
There's a mastercard ad spoof in there somewhere, but I won't go there.
I have the solution: 1. Put together the bike together yourself or learn to and save $150 its not rocket science*
2. Be happy you only payed $250 for a non warranty bike part.
3. You should be happy you rode a mountain bike hopefully "hard" for three years, I would.
4. If you spent $1800 on the frame I am sure your bike is anywhere in the 5 to 6 grand range if not more so really $250 which is really all you would have to be paying out of pocket for three years of use* see number one is not that bad IMO.
5. Go sell the frame and you will probably complaint about another manufacturer anyway. Ugh!
I'm gonna say 3 years on a bike ridden often is a reasonable amount of time for it to last before cracking. Bikes take a beating, aluminum has a finite life and will crack. You buy a triangle for pretty cheap, smile and move on or buy titanium or carbon next time... or buy a frame from a company that offers a lifetime warranty (are there any left?)
You guys are right, crap breaks. But as much as we pay for these things, I would expect to get more than 2.5 years without replacement. I can do the work myself, and probably will. I may go with something cheaper in the future so that it doesn't hurt as bad when it breaks...lol
I'm gonna say 3 years on a bike ridden often is a reasonable amount of time for it to last before cracking. Bikes take a beating, aluminum has a finite life and will crack. You buy a triangle for pretty cheap, smile and move on or buy titanium or carbon next time... or buy a frame from a company that offers a lifetime warranty (are there any left?)
In an earlier post I did some basic research but not exhaustive on manufacturer warranties. According Cannondale's site they still have a lifetime warranty.
wilsonblur said:
Cannondale is lifetime on their regular frames, but 3 years on DH/Freeride,
Update to my update. It seems that the silver anodized front triangle was dented, so they are now sending me a black anodized front triangle. Now I get a two tone bike... ugh
5.7lbs is light? I had a Truth that was 4.5lbs or some of the light weight cannondales that you can nearly crush the tubes on. The SC frames are stout and I've never heard of a weight limit on the Blurs but rather on the Superlight.
Update to my update. It seems that the silver anodized front triangle was dented, so they are now sending me a black anodized front triangle. Now I get a two tone bike... ugh
Update to my update. It seems that the silver anodized front triangle was dented, so they are now sending me a black anodized front triangle. Now I get a two tone bike... ugh
5.7lbs is light? I had a Truth that was 4.5lbs or some of the light weight cannondales that you can nearly crush the tubes on. The SC frames are stout and I've never heard of a weight limit on the Blurs but rather on the Superlight.
On a side note, I just called SC and asked how I go about replacing the plate that sits under the chainstay, and a stuck shock mount bolt, all they asked for was my name and address, the asked me how the bike is doing, then said the parts are on the way, Granted it isn't a front triangle, but just another example.
By the way, anyone trolling the forums and are in the market for a Med Tallboy, Santa Cruz said there is no wait. So regardless of what your bike shop says, tell them to call SC and have one on the way
5.7lbs is light? I had a Truth that was 4.5lbs or some of the light weight cannondales that you can nearly crush the tubes on. The SC frames are stout and I've never heard of a weight limit on the Blurs but rather on the Superlight.
I came off an 01 Truth. 24.5lbs. Same parts on the 04 Blur Xc 25.7lbs. Not even close. The Med Blur XC was listed at 5.3 and the large and XL was heavier. My Truth was the one with Bushing and not bearings. It was a piece of crap.
Who didn't recommend? I could be wrong but I have never heard anything anywhere about a weight limit for the Blur XC. I had one new in 04 and there was nothing in the manual about it. You are wrong on the Superlights. They had a 180pd limit it was in his owners manual. My dad had a 2000 and I read several reviews that straight said SC didn't recomment the SL for people over 180. My dad wouldn't let my 230pd brother ride his because of the limit.
Who didn't recommend? I could be wrong but I have never heard anything anywhere about a weight limit for the Blur XC. I had one new in 04 and there was nothing in the manual about it. You are wrong on the Superlights. They had a 180pd limit it was in his owners manual. My dad had a 2000 and I read several reviews that straight said SC didn't recomment the SL for people over 180. My dad wouldn't let my 230pd brother ride his because of the limit.
This is what our outside SC rep told us when the Blur XC aluminum came out.....again, that is why they didn't make an XL size.
Could have been 180 lbs., I don't remember....sorry, it's been several years.
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