SB chainstay pivot crack

[ryman]

I cleaned the bike thoroughly before leaving on vacation to Canada and noticed no hairline fractures or anything abnormal about the suspension linkage. We rode in northern Idaho on the way up to Fernie and while riding in Farragut S.P. I noticed a small stress fracture/crack that had developed right behind the bottom bracket on the drive side of the chainstay pivot yoke. Rode the rest of the week on the bike around Fernie, Invermere, Golden (yes, Mount 7) and finished the riding off in Kananaskis, Jumpingpound Ridge and Cox Hill. Great trip, thanks everyone at Fernie Fat Tire Adventures!!!

Checked the stress fracture all the while and it never grew larger. I know probably not the best thing to do, riding a cracked pivot yoke, but it was vacation and I didn't have a backup bike along.

My riding style has progressed to be aggressive XC but with the SB I figure it can normally handle this. I'm 165# and 5'11" riding a medium 2001 frame upgraded only with a PUSH'ed shock and set at (i think) 4.5" rear travel (no LT rocker). Am I SOL in getting a new pivot yoke or does Titus still make a pivot similar to the one that is cracked that will work?

[GIG EM]

does Titus still make a pivot similar to the one that is cracked that will work?

sure. call them and see if they'll get you the FR lower upgrade price they gave to 05 ML owners. or better yet some folks around here might have a set of the RX lowers left over from their 05 ML.

[Warp]

The swingarm is the same as '05 ML's or Racer-X's... so there should be some laying around or you would get the ML's 06 chainstays, which have more room for larger tyres.

Keep us posted!!!

[ryman]

sure. call them and see if they'll get you the FR lower upgrade price they gave to 05 ML owners. or better yet some folks around here might have a set of the RX lowers left over from their 05 ML.

ok, stupid question, but what are FreeRide lowers?

[Moondog1]

Freeride lowers are capable of handling much wider tire, like 2.5", they're much more stout but not boxed at the yolk as the standard lowers...otherwise, same geometry.

[Warp]

ok, stupid question, but what are FreeRide lowers?

The FR lowers are a set of lowers with a wider arch that allow you to run bigger tyres (2.2 and up to 2.5)... other than that, they're the same dimensions as the normal stays.

It' not an stupid question...

[ryman]

update: Called Jim at Titus last night, great customer service at Titus as usual. Thanks

He told me that my 2001 SB frame lower crank would be covered under warranty. He said the FR lowers would add a little cost if I wanted to.

Another question though....can I put a different shock, thinking RP3 or recommend something different, to replace my PUSH'd shock on the 2001 frame without having to buy the long travel rockers?

[Warp]

Another question though....can I put a different shock, thinking RP3 or recommend something different, to replace my PUSH'd shock on the 2001 frame without having to buy the long travel rockers?

Cool to know CS is up there! Really nice to know!

As for the shock... as long as you use a shock with equal eye to eye dimensions, you'll be OK.

The RP3 is second to none.... but adjusting the Pro-Pedal lever may not be "on the fly". Hard to reach.

[Homebrew]

update: Called Jim at Titus last night, great customer service at Titus as usual. Thanks

He told me that my 2001 SB frame lower crank would be covered under warranty. He said the FR lowers would add a little cost if I wanted to.

Another question though....can I put a different shock, thinking RP3 or recommend something different, to replace my PUSH'd shock on the 2001 frame without having to buy the long travel rockers?

I'm glad you're getting a free chainstay and all but I'm just curious as to HOW is this a warranty issue and WHY are you getting a free chainstay for your cracked 2001 frame? Titus is charging me crash replacement price for a cracked 2002 frame due to a known design flaw.

Inconsistent policy is never good customer service.

[DNW]

A free chainstay and a free frame are two totally different things...

[Homebrew]

A free chainstay and a free frame are two totally different things...

Thanks for pointing out the obvious but that doesn't answer the question. Why is Titus giving out free parts to some people and not others well past the warranty period, whether it be a chainstay, front triangle or whole bike? Ryman gets a free chainstay, this guy gets a free frame. Must be nice.

[blackagness]

That sucks man...

I guess it comes down to them haveing alot of rear triangles lying around, and it's easier for them to take care of someone when they can.

I'd hate for them to not help the people thier able, just to be fair to those they arn't.

[mntnbiker72]

I'm with Homebrew on this. I'm glad they are hooking you up with a new swingarm, but it's inconsistant with the handling of his issue. I guess I hope when my ML breaks that it's the swingarm and not the front triangle, and be especially happy that it's not a switchblade. Or HH for that matter in HB's case.