Specialized S-works Epic - Carbon frame damage, NOT from crash?

Question

I have a 2006 S-works Epic carbon mountain bike from Specialized. I am the original owner with proof of purchase. Apparently, few weeks ago when cleaning up my bike after a ride, I found two spider-web-looking cracks on the top tube. It must have been the result of stress fracture. I have never ever dropped the bike or crashed it in any ways.

In any case, I brought the bike to a Specialized authorized bike shop to have it checked, and they said the frame was defective. Couple days later, the bike shop called me and told me that Specialized want to inspect the frame again, before they can decide whether to warranty it or not. I waited for almost THREE weeks, and finally talked to a guy from Specialized directly. According to him, the claim was DENIED because Specialized believes the frame's damage was caused by a crash. I told them that's not true, because the damages are spider web cracks from the carbon material, with no sign of severed scratches anywhere near it. If it was a crash that's hard enough to crack a Specialized carbon frame, I would assume there will be TONS of scratches on the frame, as well as skid marks. NONE shown on mine. Yet they still insisted that it was a crash.

I am asking the community in this case, what can I do? I paid well over 6K for the bike brand new 3 years ago, and now this is the treatment I got from a well-known company in the biking industry. Please help. Thanks!

Answer 1

to be honest carbon frames frame are very fragile as compared to alloys and steels i have seen and heard to many carbon frames braking to trust them until they improve them (never known a alloy frame that broke that was not by something stupid), head tube and bottom bracket joints cracks are the most common cracking points, This is not just a problem with Specialized but all the big companies(trek, Giant, Cannondale) that make carbon frame they crack and brake and they are very reluctant to honer the warranty....as you can tell....and the Internet is littered with people having your same problem



there are a few things you can do



1: hire a lawyer to contact Specialized on your behalf, they are much more willing to talk with lawyers, but that can cost you a good amount in fees



2: you can just buy a new frame (a 6065 alloy or but not as recommenced 7005 alloy (stronger but more prone to cracking instead of bending and not as good at absorbing impact as 6065) and just keep the same Components as you have....just look for one with a with the same size head tube and a 68mm bottom bracket

Answer 2

Specialized Carbon Frame

Answer 3

Go to MTBR.com and tell them your story as well (much more likely to find the S-works crowd there). Every time you do some negative publicity email it to specialized and let them know that no one is going to buy their expensive CF frames if there isn't any support. Hang out at the shop and tell everyone your experience with the CF frame and Specialized.



I have seen too many CF frames broken on the trail to ever get one. Ti or Al might dent but you can pick it up and ride again.

Answer 4

Keep at them. Contrary to some opinion, good carbon fiber frames are not fragile at all, and should last many years. You are in the right here, but you are going to have to be persistent to get what should be coming to you. If the company insists that the bike was crashed, ask them what evidence of a crash they saw, make them prove their case

Answer 5

Don't consider that is correct