vchu7105 said:I am planning on buying a sub $2,000 bike. I am intrested in getting thoughts or stories on service after the purchase of the bike. For example, problems such as a cracked frame or cracked parts, does the company replace parts with out much complaint or hinderance. I've heard specialized give the best service in replacing faulty parts. I heard from a bike shop employee that Giant fought him in replacing a cracked part in a TCR 2.
So far, I've tried a Specialized Roubaix Elite Double, Tarmac Comp, OCR 2, and a Trek 5000 and looking to try the TCR 2 and a felt composite bike.
You can hear all kinds of stories, both good and bad. Personally, I wouldn't use these as part of a buying decision. Real defects covered by warranty are few on these brands; chances are very good you won't have anything to worry about. As long as you stay with the major brands, believe service you recieve depends more on your dealer than the manufacturer.
IMO, many of the so-called "warranty problem" stories you'll hear or read online aren't about defective bikes at all. Instead, they are about buyers and LBS trying to get the manufacturer to cover abuse, crash-damage, or frames that failed due to fatigue, ie, wore-out. None of this is covered by the warranties (or included in the price of the new bike you buy either).
Believe at least part of the problem here is that some LBS salesmen give the false impression that anything that fails is covered for life, and the buyer believes it. Suggest you read the written warranties if you want to learn more. Then you can challenge any salesman that promises a lifetime replacement policy.
