My Van Nicholas has a lifetime warranty
How long should a bike frame last
- Thread starter johnnyb47
- Start date
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SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
I should hope they do given the price of them! Particularly as Titanium frames suffer a disproportionately high weld failure rate considering they are only a tiny niche portion of the market. Back in the day when Raleighs were Raleighs they offered a 15 year frame warranty, even on low-end gas pipe models. As a youngster I never saw one fail apart from crash damage which was down to the rider being an idiot, not Raleigh's build quality.
That's where my Felt failed, the weld at the seat tube/top tube cracked. I end of lifed the frame right there and as the frame was 2 months over 2 years old Felt advised that it wouldn't be covered under warranty. I could have had it repaired but finding someone to do the work and then get the bike repainted wasn't economical.
I think it likely that because I had nearly 400mm of exposed seatpost the leverage that gave my not inconsiderable bulk over ~20k miles of rough roads meant the frame failed early. A design failure IMO. Nevertheless I've not got a Kinesis Racelight 4s which has a more traditional frame geometry and as a result looks better, and is less likely to have issues.
That's likely to be the case unfortunately. I wouldn't worry about it though, keep the bike in good condition and inspect it regularly when you clean it and you shouldn't have any issues.
Once you own a Van Nic, it feels like you have a bike for life.
classic33
Leg End Member
25% of it's original length.
I certainly have that feeling with my VN
Smokin Joe
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
I don't mind a slightly sloping frame, but the top tube angle on some is absolutely ridiculous. Even a basic understanding of engineering will tell you that having a large amount of seatpost sticking up is putting a major strain on the frame.
Another thing I am wary of are "Fastback" seat stays. The design just does not look as structurally sound as the traditional method of taking the stays to the top of the tube and giving the frame extra rigidity at the point it is under most stress from the rider.
Another thing I am wary of are "Fastback" seat stays. The design just does not look as structurally sound as the traditional method of taking the stays to the top of the tube and giving the frame extra rigidity at the point it is under most stress from the rider.
Johnno260
Veteran
- Location
- East Sussex
Read the small print on the lifetime warranty, most will invalidate the warranty if a mechanic who isn’t a brand specialist or brand trained touch the bike.
My Merida warranty is invalid as the guy who sold me the bike and was a Merida stockist serviced the bike and upgraded the group set, after he closed the shop and became a mobile bike mechanic.
My Merida warranty is invalid as the guy who sold me the bike and was a Merida stockist serviced the bike and upgraded the group set, after he closed the shop and became a mobile bike mechanic.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I've heard of TREK processing a 2nd hand claim but through a TREK dealer; its maybe worth seeing is you can find a Specialize dealer who will help you.
Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
1982 DB (Dronfield). Had new wheels, saddle etc over its life but still going strong. I love this bike. There are folks with Way older frames, but this is my oldest.
roley poley
Über Member
- Location
- leeds
just checked the warranty on my Genesis and they are lifetime for steel/aluminium/titanium and 5 years for carbon
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I've been riding my Al Cannondale CAAD 5 (<--- see avatar) off and on for about 18 years, during which time it must have done many tens of thousands of kms (not quite so many tens of thousands of miles 
). I have weighed up to 115 kg (18+ stone) in those years. I have ridden rough roads and even a few bridleways on it. I have descended hills at 90 kph (55+ mph). No problems with it so far! 
***
*** Obviously, the frame will go and snap in the next few weeks now...
). I have weighed up to 115 kg (18+ stone) in those years. I have ridden rough roads and even a few bridleways on it. I have descended hills at 90 kph (55+ mph). No problems with it so far! ****** Obviously, the frame will go and snap in the next few weeks now...
