I have a warranty-replaced Trek Equinox 11 that I just discovered has ANOTHER crack. Trek has been fairly responsive to my problems in the past (replaced frames), but I’m a little concerned now. I have my “A” race in just under 4 weeks.
This is the THIRD frame in under a year that has had a problem; first one cracked, second one had a clear-coat problem, and now this one is cracked too!
First frame cracked at the point just above the rear brake. This frame is cracked at the top of the down tube. The “penny test” confirms it.
I am a 205# competitive age group clydesdale (I realize that statement is all a big oxymoron). Should I not be riding carbon? What would you recommend I do?
Let me reiterate; Trek and my local shop have been very helpful, but at 4-6 weeks per repair, I can’t “afford” to be having bikes completely rebuilt each time there is a major problem like this.
My shop owner is waiting for the Trek rep to respond (apparently takes 24 hours). I expect a new TTX at no cost to me, but how do you quantify the time and aggravation involved in sending my bike back every 4 months for major repair/replacement?!!?!?
3 times isn’t bad luck there might actually be a problem he doesn’t weigh that much for a frame. Also i believe trek should be responsive they are the one building the bike, its not like he has had it for years and it just broke. Its pretty sad if he should feel grateful that they responded quickly when in all reality that shouldn’t be an issue.
Positive that it is cracked above the brake - I could pull it apart (easily) and see the aluminum reinforcement inside of the frame.
As far as the “known issue” with the paint cracking on the down tube (just below the headset), the crack started small and spread further. We can now put pressure on the frame and see the crack widen.
There is a nice, big sticker on top of the top tube (under my bento box) that tells me that carbon fiber can fail completely and that I should never ride a cracked frame. My first inclination is to ignore the cracks and warnings (I have a BIG race in 4 weeks to train for!!), but then I think of my 40+ MPH descents and wonder how it would feel to leave skin on the pavement (or worse) when my frame fails completely.
I would suggest that you do not ever ride that bike again, you are risking a potentially catastrophic failure of the frame. While I do applaud Trek for their timely reaction to the frame failing, I would go to another builder, a properly engineered carbon frame should easily handle the stress that you could ever put on it.
Hey Black - come drink a beer with me in my garage next time your in VA Beach, and I’ll show you both frames. I was surprised that they sent a frame without having the broken one in-hand also!!
bmccune,
If it is a known problem do you know if they addressed it in the new TTX series? I’ve had my 9.5 for about a week and just wondered if I need to be on the lookout or not.
I am told that the TTX has a 1 1/8" diameter head tube, and that the equinox is only 1". I am also told (by my Trek dealer) that the TTX is “beefier” all around.
You should ALWAYS be on the lookout for cracks in a carbon frame. I am told that when carbon fails, it fails completely (falls apart).
Thanks for the info. I will agree that the TTX is beefier than the 11 as I have a couple of team mates that are riding that frame right now…I’ll have them check theirs over soon.
I was thinking a bit about this, and I really don’t have a good answer - but the 11 is OCLV HC, which is their lightest frame material. One might imagine it trades weight for strength. The TTX is 110. Yes, it’s a $4000 bike - but I don’t go logging my daily runs in my racing flats.
I blew a chainstay of my Trek STP300 carbon pivotless rear suspension mtb 11 hrs into a 12 hr race. In summary - Trek did not honour the warranty to my (and the mechanic’s) surprise, claiming it was not a normal location to fail.
I’m glad the OP had a better experience with Trek. It’s unlikely I’ll buy Trek again…
Are you doing something when you build up the bike or transport it that could cause this? I.e., are you heavy handed with a wrench tightening stuff? Do you have perhaps an older roof-rack that isn’t super secure? Is your mechanic using an stand not meant for carbon bikes (which should be supported at the BB).
Usually carbon bikes are very strong with respect to riding them (i.e., even at 205lbs, I doubt you put out more power than Lance), but it’s when they are being worked on or transported that bad things happen. Brad DeVaney from QR has a great story about taking one of the first Lucero prototypes out for a ride, getting home, and dropping it against a doorknob which cracked the top-tube. Of course, there is also the possibility you just have some really bad luck, but maybe look at what is going on when the bike is not on the road more closely.
Sorry that doesnt sound right. they will never send out a frame replacement without seeing and inspecting the original one.
Yes they will, as do a number of the larger bike manufacturers, when it’s a knows problem with a frame. A good dealer will help to back up the claim, and have a bike shipped out pre-stripping. I have dealt directly with Giant when it comes to problems with my race bikes (mtb), and they have sent new frames out to me twice. Their only instructions were to have a shop package and send back the old frame when we were done changing the parts over.
I am 220 and ride carbon and nothing cracked yet. knock on wood. When tightening bolts and such are you or shop using a torque wrench. I ask because I watched a buddy ruin a new frame while placing his rear brake on and just using a allen wrench tore through the carbon.
I blew a chainstay of my Trek STP300 carbon pivotless rear suspension mtb 11 hrs into a 12 hr race. In summary - Trek did not honour the warranty to my (and the mechanic’s) surprise, claiming it was not a normal location to fail.
Trek, and most other bike manufacturers, will NEVER warranty a frame if it failed during a race (even if it’s a ‘race’ bike). It’s even usually on the little warranty card you get with the bike. Remember, they replace frames due to manufacturers defect under normal operating conditions. A race, by definintion (to them) places excess stress on the frame which is outside the scope of ‘normal’ operating conditions. If a frame every fails, DO NOT MENTION THE WORD RACE. EVER.
Your mechanic should not have been surprised, and if he knew the game should have told you what not to say. This is one of the first things you learn when you’re wrenching bikes…never, ever mention the word race when dealing with warranty claims.
The you deal with them, the good reps will always say something like "it didn’t happen during a race, right? (hint,hint) " The assholes will not.
I have a 2004 Team Time Trial and the clear coat/paint is creating a line that look like a crack at the joint on the downtube just below the headtube and on the seat stay right above the brake. My local shop told me it was just the paint seeping through at the joints because Trek had some problem with the paint that year. If I rub my finger name across the cracks the finger nail stops. I was told not to worry since it was the clearcoat/paint not a crack. Is this what happened to your first frame? Did you get a free replacement or were you offered a warranty deal? I know I will probably never be able to sell my bike given it looks like it is cracked and no one in their right mind would buy it. I know I wouldn’t buy it in this condition.