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I've got a number of problems with this thread - Mostly in the thread title. The use of the word 'cheat' is just bloody stupid. The OP has published that on the internet. And it's been picked up quite rightly by other parties implicated in this. What we have here is classic I warranty issues between customer and seller that need to be sorted out between the two parties AWAY from the internet. At least at first. Posting inflammatory 'statements' on our forum using words like 'cheat' is going to spoil my Sunday. I'm editing the title of the post and the mods will be keeping a very close watch on this thread.
Don't be stupid when writing forum titles, no matter how upset you are.
Oooh, can we suggest new thread titles?
Grim shim & warranty slim - out on a limb?
Hi Mark
I recognize that your title is far better than mine.
My apologies
"Used a shim, feel a bit dim - bikes in the bin"
"Another manufacturers who passes the buck"
I suspect this will be locked very shortly. You may be out of frame but the social outcry has cost far more damage to Devinci. I've looked at their bikes in the past but I wont be buying one.
@ Jamie. Yes and what's worse is I had a clean out and dumped the seat post a month or so beforehand. Giant offered a good will gesture of an aluminium frame but the very fact I could have bought it cheaper in a shop annoyed me. They also picked up that the wheels were different and summarised it was probably as a result of an accident. In fact it was a dry tubeless setup (I had wheel sets coming out of my ears at that time - 19 spares wheels for 9 bikes).
Any and every straw grabbed. All dismissed apart from the change of seatpost. At the end of the day its seems to explain why their "bikes are such good value for money" and generally discounted.
Hi pjm84
I think that we, the customers, have the responsibility to relate these cases to avoid abuses of bike brands or to know which brands are "honest"
Of course telling always the truth
In the aid of balance, and apologies for the mild thread hijack, but would be interested to know if pjm84's experience was an isolated incident, or more pervasive.
I have dealt with Freeborn a lot. Like Duir I had one of the original Spitfires with the bushing problems and was offered a very good price on the Dixon. After a year one of the bottle bosses was coming loose. I sent the frame back to Joe at Freeborn and he fixed the boss, put in a completelty new pivot kit, serviced and added a volume reducer to the shock. There was no charge for any of it.
In my experience Freeborn will do the best they can for their customers. If DeVinci aren't going to support warranty claims for shimmed seatposts then that is their decision. It is hard on a small business like Freeborn, expecting them to take a £350 hit on a new front triangle and then slating them on here when you don't get your way.
Its pretty common for expensive warranty claims to require the return of the broken part. I would have expected Freeborn to give you an honest appraisal of the warranty issue and more than likely to build your frame back up and service your shock while they were at it.
The other thing you need to accept is when you buy an expensive piece of sports equipment from the far side of Europe, you might have to send it back if something goes wrong. Its frustrating having to strip the frame to get it looked at but its the only way to get it sorted.
The other thing you need to accept is when you buy an expensive piece of sports equipment from the far side of Europe, you might have to send it back if something goes wrong. Its frustrating having to strip the frame to get it looked at but its the only way to get it sorted.
Hi Shandy
I have said several times that I was disposed to send the frame to the UK. But after they saw that I a used a shim the have not asked me to send back the frame
It gets worse....
I had a long conversation with the Warranty manager who provided the "unofficial" response. I told him if it was cosmetic then I wasn't interested in a replacement. Its a MTB for FFS.
A promise of an XRAY was offered to support the unofficial line and he would ring me back the next day once he had set the wheels in motion. He also suggested maybe riding a 22" carbon to reduce the flex to this area and he had a frame showing in Europe which he would try and track down and see what the cost price was as an alternative option.
He never rung me back. I chased him a dozen times, left messages / emails. I spoke to his staff and they said sorry its a conversation between you and him and we cant do anything. Still have his number on my mobile.
I have said several times that I was disposed to send the frame to the UK. But after they saw that I a used a shim the have not asked me to send back the frame
Presumably that is still an option unless you have fallen out with them completely?!
Presumably that is still an option unless you have fallen out with them completely?!
Now I am not disposed to send them the frame, unless they send me a new one before
I have absolutely lost the reliability on this people and I think that an objective review of the frame is not possible after this thread
I'd say this part of the warranty wording is more relevant than the ambiguous seat reference;* Parts not supplied by devinci with the bicycle or not indicated in
the user’s manual for all frames or the technical manual for the
frames with double suspension were used;
I bought only the frame, it is very dificult to use a bike without a seatpost, wheels, fork...
Take the new front triangle offer. Sell the whole frame with new front triangle. Buy a frame from a manufacturer with good customer service that has proper warranty.
Good luck.
Wot he said...
...and publicise the FACTUAL side of your experience on every mtb forum you can find (ot threaten to as a last resort).
Interesting that freeborn/devinci are reading the thread but have chosen not to comment. Hope they contact the OP with further explanations of their unwritten warranty rules.
wwaswas - exactly what I was thinking after reading Marks tweet and then this thread again
I can appreciate why freeborn aren't commenting, it would just inflame the situation and wouldnt help resolve the situation.
My two cents is I wouldnt run shims in a bike, I'm not saying I think it always causes problems but I just like things to be just right.
What we have here is classic I warranty issues between customer and seller that need to be sorted out between the two parties AWAY from the internet.
I completely agree. It is good to see the title changed.
Interesting that freeborn/devinci are reading the thread but have chosen not to comment.
The companies won't want to get involved in an open forum since sensible advice from posters here has been ignored and thrown back at them (even from the likes of Loco!). It is much better dealt with the proper way, i.e. through the warranty process which the OP still hasn't done more than email them about.
Now I am not disposed to send them the frame, unless they send me a new one before
Resolution seems unlikely though if the OP is not willing to be reasonable. I would be hugely upset too if my frame cracked but expecting a new frame while yours is being inspected (if this is what you mean- the chance of miscommunication is high) seems unreasonable. Cannondale and Scott and similar are generally well regarded for honouring warranties but often customer have to wait 3-6 months to get replacement frames, especially of high end popular models. You can't expect everything in an instant unfortunately.
Hope they contact the OP with further explanations of their unwritten warranty rules.
I also hope both parties can clear up any misunderstandings or mis-communications since this thread is going round in circles. It would be nice if Freeborn could contact the OP clarifying if the frame should be sent in and the warranty process actually started or if they are convinced there is no warranty claim based on photos alone. This seems to be a large source of the OP's anger and frustration
... And becoming irritating?
Surely, everything that needs to be covered (and more) has been dealt with. Time to move on......?
At least I have learned what a shim is or put another what that thing (!) is called.
FWIW, my only experience with Freeborn has been their excellent demo days. I just wish I could justify the cost of their bikes especially the £4k camber evo. Sounded like a nice option in the reviews until I saw the tag!!!
if you cant run a frame with minimum post insertion (as generally marked on posts) then surely its a frame design issue and the question of 'fit for purpose' arises? 4" is plenty of post shimmed or not. i'd be chuffing livid.
Companies are never keen on people using the internet to highlight issues but they all seem happy to spread marketing bull as far and wide as they possibly can with no real evidence to support any of their claims.
I can't see that the OP has done anything wrong at all.. being told it is his fault before they knew anything about a shim was never looking good IMO. The opening post is hardly ripping into anyone is it.. I think the original title was fair.
Back up your warranty claims or don't offer them!
"What we have here is classic I warranty issues between customer and seller that need to be sorted out between the two parties AWAY from the internet"DanW: I completely agree. It is good to see the title changed.
hey Dan, I think that you have "forgotten" 😆 the next sentence in the quote:
"What we have here is classic I warranty issues between customer and seller that need to be sorted out between the two parties AWAY from the internet. [b]At least at first[/b]."
Van Halen - Member
if you cant run a frame with minimum post insertion (as generally marked on posts) then surely its a frame design issue and the question of 'fit for purpose' arises? 4" is plenty of post shimmed or not. i'd be chuffing livid.
Whether 4" of post is enough or not depends on the frame - the minimum insertion of the frame needs to be respected in the same way as the minimum insertion of the post. If the frame needs more, and a shim isn't providing that, then the shim isn't suitable.
Hi honourablegeorge
When I wrote to Freeborn saying that my seat tuve was broken, they replied me that the most probable reason was that I did not insert the post 3" or more.
I prove them that I inserted almost 4"
4" shim or 4" of post? I think I've only seen you say that there was a 4" shim in there?
4" shim or 4" of post? I think I've only seen you say that there was a 4" shim in there?
Hi legend
obviously 4" of shim and more of post (I think that about 5")
Jeepers.... It's a bit hamster wheel isn't it?! 😕
8 pages in and none of us yet have actually [i][b]seen[/b][/i] the issue. I would say "crack", but that may only cause distracting s****s from those of you at the back...
Would the OP like to post a picture? I can guarantee at least another 8 pages of hypothesis, conjecture and conclusion leaping 🙂
train crash
Would the OP like to post a picture? I can guarantee at least another 8 pages of hypothesis, conjecture and conclusion leaping
A picture is posted already, but I will post more if you want 😉
[img] 
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[img] 
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No. Thank you. 🙂
Too late. Sorry.
Mcgowan, can you email Freeborn and ask if they would like to see the frame in person and if there is even 1% chance of a warranty replacement? I realise you must have emailed them a lot and it is very frustrating but at the moment you seem to be assuming quite a lot of things and this is the crucial point which you have not yet got a definitive answer on. I know I have only suggested this half a dozen times but each time you say you [b]assume[/b] no warranty and Freeborn say it is [b]likely[/b] not enough seatpost/ shim. Do you have a definite answer one way or another in writing yet if there is 0% chance of a warranty replacement?
Thank goodness the frame has a lifetime warranty because any other frame would have aged beyond the warranty period with the length of this circular thread! 😀
hi DanW
I have said several times that they are not asking to send the frame anymore. And now I am not disposed to do that. It is too late. Do you think that they would make now an inspection objectively? 😆
And they have not replied me since friday...
Sorry, and I think this is the first time I have ever got ranty on the tinterweb with anyone, but you have given enough information for me to form an opinion now...
..grow up.
You have had a multitude of advice, views and suggestions.
There are views on your side, on the manufacturers side, and you are armed with enough information and opinion to make a decision. However, from what I see, you're not doing anything but complain because you've inferred that their last contact suggested you may not win.
I think you have been done slightly for what it's worth on intital comms (as I've supported you with before), but for heaven's sake, initial anger allowing, time to reflect, you have suggestions of approach and downright support for your situation now, so why don't you do something about it?
You have plenty enough information and angles to make a tactful, factual and well-publicised approach to sort this out - I would suggest that the fuss you have created may persuade them to take your side, just for the positive publicity alone.
However, all you're doing is naff all, but post on here about how hard done by you are.
Seriously, do something, or stop posting.
Nicely put Bear. OP, your last few posts are just petulant. You assume Freeborn won't treat you professionally or objectively because of your complaints. Here's a thought, why don't you actually contact them to find out?
My eyes.......................
Dump it. I wouldn't bother. I've broken a few frames due to my size and strength but never this bad!
If what you say is the truth then I wouldn't trust a frame that fails like this.
I think it was mentioned earlier. £350 for the new triangle, then flog it.
why don't you actually contact them to find out?
I will say it AGAIN, I mailed them on friday and they have not answer me.
What I have to do, take a plane and go to that shop?
I thought this was sorted days ago - still going on?
[img] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_eHWuC7dvuP7LYP0Mn-Byvw-MY9MpyOG28sM0B5Gm5gjUBRdL [/img]
Well, perhaps you should put the same amount of effort into contacting them (politely) as you've put into moaning about it on here. You might get somewhere.....
What I have to do, take a plane and go to that shop?
Nah, ring them. Bike shops are usually poor when it comes to email communications.