How important is a bike warranty to you when shopping for a new bike ?
I just recently purchased my first carbon MTB bike (used), so I have very little experience with carbon bikes in general.
I'm in the market for a new gravel bike. I've found the Propain Terrell and I'm really digging the bike. It only comes with a 2 year frame warranty. Is this worrisome?
Other brands such as ARI, Trek, Lauf, etc offer a lifetime… But a warranty is only as good as the company backing it and no company is guaranteed to be around forever.
I don't think about warranties too much, but I also ride steel bikes. The Lauf Siegla really peaked my interest, but I saw that they're having frame cracking issues. Laufs warranty seems to be taking care of folks, but it's an ordeal Id rather avoid all together.
by Dry_Library_5005
3 Comments
It’s crucial to me. That’s also why i chose zipp wheels
I don’t think Lauf frames crack at a rate higher than any other carbon manufacturer (which is infinitesimally low using today’s methods). Carbon frames are fairy well figured out. The only cracked Lauf I could find reference to was one that someone clearly clamped into a workstand and broke (people — be careful with those workstands — you can crack carbon and bend thin steel EASILY if you put too much torque on the tube in a place it’s not designed to get).
The question you need to answer is whether a major like Trek or Specialized who generally charges a big premium for their carbon frame is worth the upsell cost from a small manufacturer who is likely sourcing a very similar frame from a very similar manufacturing partner.
I recently built up a carbon gravel frameset for my wife purchased on Ali Express and its a really nice bike (frame and fork and integrated bar/stem and seat post and headset) were <$600 delivered. I bet warranty with the place I bought it would be a hassle but I don’t expect to need to use it.
I’ve had two frames crack on me – both aluminum and built by Giant and Trek respectively…both replaced without issue. I’ll always lean towards a lifetime warranty