In the Worthing area. I have snapped a linkage bolt. The head snapped and the rest of the bolt still in the bike. Not sure if fixable but this seems like such a specialist job, is there anyone in Sussex who can work like MAPDEC for instance? I normally don't trust LBS.
There is a SC dealer but quite far in Eastbourne and again, I don't know they are trust worthy.
Thank you. I know my limits however.
Give eightbikeco a call, based in Sussex - https://www.aeightbikeco.com/
Or any decent bike shop should be able to do it.
My lbs did it for me. Apparently it’s not as rare as you would expect it to be. I’m glad I have no idea how they got it out. They said I was better off not knowing but they did a great job
Are they in West Sussex by any chance Chris? The outfit above sounds promising until your realise they don't even say where they are. I basically need a MAPDEC equivalent or someone who comes recommended. Not sure where to source a replacement bolt either, do SC still have a UK importer?
The bolt in question is way too small for the torque they advise so I can't be the first one.
In fact I just realised I mis-read the exploded diagrams from SC and applied 13nm instead of 7.5nm. 13nm is for the pivot itself and then the small bolt is a lower torque.
I can't blame anyone for my stupidity sadly.
I might try to go and see Evolution Cycles in Eastbourne as they may have SC spares. It's a 2 hour round trip but what can you do.
A snapped linkage bolt is usually repairable, most decent workshops can extract the broken section or drill and re-tap if needed. It’s not typically a specialist frame repair unless the threads are damaged.
You could call an authorized dealer listed on Santa Cruz Bicycles’ site to confirm they’ve handled linkage bolt extractions before. Otherwise, just ask a local shop about their experience with suspension hardware, their answer should give you a clear idea of their capability.
Are they in West Sussex by any chance Chris? The outfit above sounds promising until your realise they don't even say where they are. I basically need a MAPDEC equivalent or someone who comes recommended. Not sure where to source a replacement bolt either, do SC still have a UK importer?
They aren’t. As for the nolts they are available but depending on the age of the frame might make them expensive. My 2020 tallboy bolts had to come from the USA which doubled the price due to shipping costs. It was all very efficient but expensive
A good local precision engineering firm or reputable frame builder? Bolts snap in all kinds of equipment all the time and the knowledge, tools and skills to remove them with the finesse required as to not cause damage is probably transferable to a bike frame.
yeah engineering shops are more common and should be easier to find locally
Yep. There’d be ten places within half an hour of you that could do this for you.
MAPDEC... Don't they call him the bike butcher?
I`d try Will at rayments cycles in Brighton first. if he cant he will probably know who can, or at least point you in the right direction.
you could also try a frame builder? do chicken cycles still exist - i think they were sussex based?
or, as above, an engineering shop -
Without personal experience of the place, how will you trust it?
I am going to Eastbourne tomorrow to see Kev at Evolution Cycles, a SC dealer, which might help. He says he does this job regularly on SC carbon frames so that's reassuring. The logistics work well anyway as dropping my GF in Brighton to start with.
Thanks for all the tips, I'll update when resolved.
this is good to know, which linkage bolt was it please?
Hopefully a positive chat and a solution?
So the bolt I broke is the "first level" outside small bolt (the lower one on the upper linkage) that holds the metal cup to protect the bigger bolt. Sorry there must be proper words for this.
They couldn't grab it so they have had to drill through the axle in which the rest of the bolt was in.
2 solutions offered: either only replace the axle and bearings, for which the parts are £57 or replace all the axles and bearings for which the parts are £127 and the labour is £95. I went for the second option.
The only unknown is the time they needed to extract the remains of the bolt, which I will find out this week. I am at the mercy of their honesty basically, at £75/hour. How long should it take? Or is it a case of how long is a piece of string?
2nd for Will @ Rayments
Should I have it done again at Rayments? 😂
To conclude this. Total cost was £351 as the shock bushings needed doing too. I suspect that was the original cause of the play and would have cost very little to change, probably £75 fitted. But my own stupidity led to the snowball effect described above. Reverse engineering their labour cost shows fairness.
A very high price to pay for a stupid mistake but at least the bike rides like a dream with zero noise.
The seller did give me a £50 contribution towards the bushings as he had said there was no play.
All in all £1,300 for an invisiframed lightly used 2025 Tallboy V5 CC with Factory shock and all new bearings and hardware/axles is OK.