As of Weds. 12/3/03,
I have recieved absolutely no response from Robert Stein regarding the seat damage that he will not
address. While he has previously told me that he is much more a designer than a businessman, and I
believe this, his failure to pursue the issue with his INDEPENDENT SEAT SUBCONTRACTOR is without
conscience. I have the greatest respect for the hurdles Robert has & will yet face. For the record &
for my money, even after these multiple disappointments, I hold that this trike is still the best
value in the world.
But, irresponsibility at this level of specialty is indefensible. No reparation or consideration
whatsoever has been offered. I have forwarded the jpegs of the damage to one kind respondent on this
list, & once again list the damage that occurred within 2 weeks of receipt of the trike, & my local
bike shop concurs:
#1 a chain in the correct packaging, not purchased by me & of unknown
origin to the bike shop that would not fit a 9-speed bike.
#2 bolts & fender brackets that Robert admitted had recently been
re-outsourced, of some inferior cheap punk metal: within 2 weeks they were already bending in
critical support areas of the bike & any rider could have been seriously injured. Within that same 2
weeks one of the fender brackets cracked completely.
#3 a rear tire unordered & of unknown origin in Thailand.
2 front tires that read Schwalbe & shredded within two weeks.
#4 inferior brake cable for shift cable application.
#5 a thin paint application that began chipping at two weeks.
#6 inferior grade carbon fiber seat that was (as previously posted by
someone else) very insufficiently supported, is now seriously cracked at the two lower supports &
which I have had to glue & reinforce with NO INPUT AT ALL FROM ROBERT.
IF YOU ARE STILL "UP AND RUNNING" MR. STEIN, IT'S LONG OVERDUE THAT YOU ADDRESS & RESOLVE AT LEAST
THE SEAT ASPECT OF THESE REASONABLE CONCERNS.
ANY RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURER WOULD HAVE RESOLVED ALL OF THESE ISSUES WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE THE
ORIGINAL AUGUST 2003 COMPLAINT.
Sincerely & Truly, Michael Talley