How did I crack my carbon frame?

[QED]

I'm no fan of Planet Ex, or of cheap Taiwanese carbon, but I'm with the supplier on this. The damage is entirely consistent with having been clamped in a workstand. £150 is a great deal and much more reasonable than they need to be. Accept their kind offer and move on.

I have done.

either way, I think PX have given the op a great value frame option. They couldve just let him cover the frame cost and the rebuild.

Hope the experience has taught the op a lesson.

What lesson do *you* think I should have learned?

I have learned that either "reputable" local bike shop and/or Eurostar destroyed my frame.

I have learned that a bike bag is not good enough, I need a bike box which apparently costs about the same as the list price of the carbon frame.

I have learned that Planet X takes over 30 days to deal with a warranty claim and blames the customer for the damage.

I have learned that if a carbon bike is put in a bike stand it should be clamped to a metal seat post.

I have learned never to leave my bike out of my sight which makes travel and maintenance/repairs difficult.

Did I miss anything?

 

[QED]

The relative value of the bikes they sell is no guarantee that the mechanics are infallible.

No but in business for 28 years and a Giant franchise should mean they don't crush carbon frames in the clamps.

 

[djb1971]

I have done.


What lesson do *you* think I should have learned?

I have learned that either "reputable" local bike shop and/or Eurostar destroyed my frame.

I have learned that a bike bag is not good enough, I need a bike box which apparently costs about the same as the list price of the carbon frame.

I have learned that Planet X takes over 30 days to deal with a warranty claim and blames the customer for the damage.

I have learned that if a carbon bike is put in a bike stand it should be clamped to a metal seat post.

I have learned never to leave my bike out of my sight which makes travel and maintenance/repairs difficult.

Did I miss anything?

Take your pick. At the end of the day a bollock was dropped, it cost you money. It could've cost more.

your bike will be fixed for a reasonable cost.

life's too short. move on.

 

[Venod]

Did I miss anything?[/QUOTE]

Yes, Carbon while a good material for bike frames needs handling with care, the same damage would not have occurred to a steel/aluminium frame.

 

[ayceejay]

Here is some useful advice from BMC note what they say about transportation http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/us-en/support/carbon-care/

 

[Citius]

Yes, Carbon while a good material for bike frames needs handling with care, the same damage would not have occurred to a steel/aluminium frame.

As I said before - any tube, of any material will crush with enough force. The same damage could quite easily have occurred to any other type of frame.

 

[fossyant]

I'd personally place bets that the damage was done on Eurostar.

 

[QED]

Take your pick. At the end of the day a bollock was dropped, it cost you money. It could've cost more.

your bike will be fixed for a reasonable cost.

life's too short. move on.

As posted earlier, I did take their offer. But let me just say how I admire your equanimity and sang froid, if not your empathy, in the face of someone else's bike frame being destroyed.

 

[Rob3rt]

Yes, Carbon while a good material for bike frames needs handling with care, the same damage would not have occurred to a steel/aluminium frame.

Given the source of the damage is unknown, that cannot possibly be stated with any authority.

 

[djb1971]

As posted earlier, I did take their offer. But let me just say how I admire your equanimity and sang froid, if not your empathy, in the face of someone else's bike frame being destroyed.

thanks, I do try.

 

[QED]

Here is some useful advice from BMC note what they say about transportation http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/us-en/support/carbon-care/

Useful indeed. Thanks.

 

[AlanTh]

I'm surprised that the OP didn't spot the damage after collecting the bike from the LBS, or after travelling with the bike on Eurostar.

 

[QED]

I'm surprised that the OP didn't spot the damage after collecting the bike from the LBS, or after travelling with the bike on Eurostar.

Me too. It was spotted by a mate at a cafe stop after a ride. In future, I will be sure to inspect it more closely whenever it has to leave my hands.

 

[Rob3rt]

Some people don't spend all their time inspecting their bikes and it is pretty easy to overlook these things!

 

[User16625]

Here is some useful advice from BMC note what they say about transportation http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/us-en/support/carbon-care/

That is an interesting article which leads me to this question: Which is the best material for bicycle frames, carbon fiber or cheese?