So, my bike went into the LBS for some servicing and upgrades. Quite exciting.
But they found a crack in the chainstay assembly - it's a Carbon stereo 29er bought by me in 2013. They are unable to deal with Cube as they are not a registered dealer.
First tried the shop I bought it from, no reply. So tried a different LBS who is a Cube dealer, they were very helpful, but Cube's process is that I have to fill out a crash replacement request, which requires the proof of purchase. No hope, I've moved house twice since then.
So, the upshot is, I have a serviced and upgraded bike which I can't use as the frame is cracked, and there seems to be no route to getting a replacement part.
Is my only hope to find one on ebay/similar, or have I missed something? What are peoples thoughts on carbon repair?
Fully appreciate that what's really required is a new bike...
Repair seems like the obvious answer. There was a whole article about it in the mag a couple of issues back. I'd have no worries about it as long as a reputable company was happy to do it.
I'd somehow missed that article - thanks for pointing me to it.
So does anyone have any direct experience/recommendation as to where I could try?
A simple Google search gives me a couple of companies I could send the part off too, but a recommendation would be great...
No personal experience, but Target Composites have a decent rep. in the North West.
You might get more advice with a new thread and a more specific title.
List your spec.
Is the frame a tapered fork?
What size seatpost?
What type of bottom bracket?
Are the wheels quick release or bolt through? What are your hubs? Can they be adapted?
What travel is it?
What's your budget?
Then we can suggest alternative frames for you to consider replacing it with. Personally I wouldn't repair an 8 year old frame unless I absolutely loved it.
You can probably get a much newer frame for not a lot more money than a repair costs.
Contact Cube directly?
Contact Cube directly?
Its 8 years old with no proof of purchase. I don't fancy his chances
Your other alternative is fixing it yourself. There are some great carbon self repair kits.
Put a picture up of the damage.
Great replies, thanks, everyone. As suggested, Cube aren't interested without proof of purchase.
Regards replacing the frame, I'd be very happy with that - the spec is:
Tapered fox fork w/15mm maxle
12mm bolt through rear
Hope pro II evo hubs
31.6 seatpost
Pressfit BB
140 travel
29" wheels
Not a geometry nerd, but if anything I'd like a slightly longer frame (I know older Cubes are known for being a bit short...)
Flexible on budget, without being stupid, also not tied to carbon...
Ideas/suggestions?
Oh, and to add a pic of the crack (let's see if this works) ...
OK, how do I make a picture appear...
Daft question - you bought it in the shop or online? Online you might well have an email receipt knocking about in your archives. Some shops send you them too.
And the standard STW new frame answer at the moment will be Aether 9 I think - C or A as appropriate.
I like my Aether 7
In a shop, who's reputation for customer service on here isn't fabulous (although they were fine in person, with me)
I've tried contacting the shop, but no answer either phone or email.
I like Birds, so I'll have a look at the Aether, thanks - availability/delivery times will be relevant too, I guess...
I think you can have it shock free if your rear shock fits.
If you are still in touch with the shop you bought it from could they not knock you up something saying you bought it from them?
Alternatively I've bought frame spares directly from devinci in the past so perhaps point out that you don't want crash replacement but just to buy the chainstay if they have one.
If you can get proof of purchase from the bike shop though they probably want it as they may do you a good deal on a new frame/nike
Unfortunately, the shop I bought it from is not responding to either phone calls or emails, so no joy there. And the only way to deal with Cube is via a dealer. A different LBS who is a dealer has been very helpful, and Cube said the only way to potentially source the new part is via the crash replacement scheme. Which requires a proof of purchase.
So, I've given up, and am trying to get back on a bike.
I'm suspicious of carbon repairs, so I'm heading down the road of replacing either the frame or the whole bike, but availability is now my problem 🙄
Anyway, just venting, really - thanks for all your help, lovely people, it's a very first-world problem, really!
I'm 6ft - the Cube is an 18" frame and is quite good for size, although I'd like a longer ett (as I said above, Cubes used to be known for being a bit short, and bikes have obviously got longer...)