In need of tea and sympathy.

[Bristol Dave]

Riding home tonight my bike started to behave in an odd way. There was a wobble, possibly a shimmy, that I at first though was some new rear wheel problem. Once home I had a good look only to discover a massive crack in the upright tube where the seat post goes. The crack runs around the tube and goes under the weld of the bottom cross bar (the bike is a Dahon Espresso, so the bottom bar is about 4 inches deep). It is clear that the crack is only going to get worse and not even gaffer tape can solve this!

I've had the bike for about 15 months and I intend to return it. Despite the warranty having run out this is a clear case of a serious materials flaw that is covered by consumer law. I've never had a frame break on any previous bike I've owned and only ever seen one break in my life. This was a mates Raleigh Chipper (the Choppers' little brother) that we were all far to big to be doing jumps on down the local playing fields. This was 25+ years ago by the way

I'm going to be on foot for a while. I'm strangely sad at the moment - I loved my Dahon and the freedom it gave me

BD

 

[BentMikey]

Oooh, sorry to hear that. A cracked frame must be gutting to say the least!!!

 

[Origamist]

Sorry to hear about this, but you are not alone. I've killed 3 folding bikes in this way.

A bit of good news - I think Dahon have a 5 year warranty on frames.

 

[Tynan]

frames usually have a huge warranty don't they?

assming you haven't had a smash

sounds a damn site better than it letting go at speed

 

[Banjo]

Hope you get it sorted soon and back on the road.Sounds like a clear case of an inherent fault that will be covered by consumer law.If any argument use trading standards.Hopefully it can be resolved amicably without you needing to.

 

[ttcycle]

ah sorry to hear that - hope you get it sorted soon.

Perfect time to put the N+1 bikes equation into use looking for another steed to tide you over until the folder gets repaired.

 

[Bristol Dave]

Thanks for the sympathy. I'm also drinking tea at the moment.

sounds a damn site better than it letting go at speed

Absolutely. I think it would have let go completely if I rode it in to work this morning. Probably on the down hill bit with the speed bump half way down

Perfect time to put the N+1 bikes equation into use looking for another steed to tide you over until the folder gets repaired.

I'm in a quandary here. I don't know whether to get a cheapy from Halfords or a better quality one on C2W. Also, should a get a different sort of bike from a commuter stylee (thinking MTB off roader thingy) or even a fixy. I guess first things first - get the Dahon into bike hospital.

BD

 

[Twenty Inch]

One of my commuting buddies has had 2 Dahon frames crack underneath him. He rides a Montague Paratrooper now. They'll replace the frame, but I am not generally very confident now on my Dahon, especially as I weigh 100kg, give or take.

 

[Tharg2007]

BD, plenty of bargains to be had in the local rags and on ebay at the moment, 2nd hand could get you a better quality bike than a lot of new ones for the money, with some small outlay to get it up to roadworthy quality and its still a very good option.

 

[Theseus]

I had a frame go on the weld if the seat tube to the BB shell. Took it back to the bike shop I got it from and had it replaced under warranty, no quibbles.

 

[LOGAN 5]

I know of someone who is now on his third Dahon Jack after the seat tube cracked. All replaced under warranty.

You can get a lifetime warranty on Dahons if you register it on line. Have a look at their website for details. Otherwise it's 5 years for frames.

 

[Bristol Dave]

You can get a lifetime warranty on Dahons if you register it on line. Have a look at their website for details. Otherwise it's 5 years for frames.

I'll have to check out my paperwork as I may have done this when I bought the bike.

On the plus side, having walked to work twice now I've seen some nice bikes that I don't normally see.

BD