Hey there,
a couple of weeks ago I ordered Elitewheels Carbon
ENT 2.0 Disc brake wheels and yesterday the arrived with a damaged box.
In the box the rear wheel is scratched on the rim and a few spokes as well, on seems to be slightly bend. Also there is small hole on the opposite site of the scratches which worries me the most. Also it's not on the exact opposite spot of the scratches which makes no sense to me how that even happens.
Now after speaking to elitewheels they say based on my pictures the wheels are still driveable and that I should not worry. The will send me new stickers to cover the scratches and maybe there is compensation if they get one from the logistics company and ask if that's okay for me. To be honest this is not really okay for me. I can live with some scratches if I get some money back but I'm worried of them breaking. I do not now how they got scratched and broken, could only be optics but could also be a something worse.
So my question is, do you think they are still driveable or is it better to be sure and demand a new rear wheel? Does someone had the same problem and how did you handle it? Is this even the correct sub Reddit? Thank you all in advance!! I attach all the photos I have.
by FunCookie2616
13 Comments
Are they fine to ride, yeah most likely.
Would I accept them as new wheels, absolutely not. Return them and get money back or ask to send them back for a new pair that are not damaged.
If they don’t agree, issue a charge back on your card.
I don’t see any kind exposed carbon. I have scratches similar to that on almost all my carbon wheels where gravel or various items have struck the wheels out on rides. The scratches are pretty large, but appear to be cosmetic only. The real test is the tap test to reassure you they are solid. Take a coin and tap the carbon in a good location, then compare the sound from the scratched spots. It should sound reflective not dull.
If I received a new wheel set like that I would be frustrated, and definitely would want some money back at a minimum. It looks like these wheels were damaged in an accident where the wheel slid on the pavement.
To me, it looks like the paint is scratched up. The actual isn’t. If it was, it’s be a crack and not a scratch. You can try filling the rim core with soapy watch (soap to thin the water) and see if you have any leaks.
The scratched up spokes seem odd.
That’s suffered unacceptable damage in shipping. Ignoring the safety aspect, you paid for a brand new undamaged product not something that looks like it’s been mauled by a wildcat.
Demand a full replacement
There isn’t any damage that would affect the integrity of the wheel, but I would ask if I could keep the wheelset for a partial refund
Lol. Of course they say it’s fine.
They look safe enough to ride. Mine are 2 months old and already have some scuffs. I bet after a year it’ll look like that.
I would absolutely be sad to receive damaged wheels new though
Stickers? GTFO.
Honestly it doesn’t matter if there’s structural damage or not, I wouldn’t accept them in that state at all.
(Also I don’t know what y’all are doing to your wheels, I’ve ridden maybe 15,000 kms on two sets of 50mm+ rims and both of them look like new.)
If they offered a substantial refund, along with an extended guarantee on their roadworthiness, I’d be fine keeping them. Short of that though, money back. Doesn’t matter if they get compensation, you paid for undamaged wheels so that’s what you’re owed.
Chances are that they would want them back to fulfill their duty and ensure your safety.
Who cares if its ridable – I wouldn’t accept that period.
Eh, did you pay for new wheels? Because those are used. The spokes are scuffed up to hell, bad packing or a blind wheel tuner didn’t scuff up that metal. Someone scuffed those up good before they sold them to you.
Join the party of “is it only paint” questions over at r/bustedcarbon