Hi everyone,

My brand new Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy arrived yesterday and I noticed several small dents/impressions and a few light scratches on the top tube and rear triangle right after unboxing.

The marks are:

visible in the paint,

slightly noticeable with a fingernail,

still completely blue (no bare aluminum showing),
I can’t really see an obvious dent in the aluminum itself.

I’m wondering if these are just paint/clear coat imperfections or if they could indicate that the frame itself was impacted.

The rear triangle has no marks but light scratches.

The reason I’m asking is that I’m probably a bit paranoid after what happened with my previous bike. Just last week I had to send back a brand new Scott Genius because what initially looked like harmless stone chips turned out to be a manufacturing defect where the rear triangle was rubbing against the frame and damaging the frame. So this whole experience has made me question every little mark on a new bike.

So I’d really like an honest opinion:

– Do these marks look purely cosmetic to you?

– Am I just overreacting because of my recent experience?

– If this were your brand new bike, would you keep it or ask for a replacement/compensation?

I’d really appreciate hearing what you would do in my situation.

Thanks!

by AppropriateLuck3484

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26 Comments

  1. echo-tango86 on

    Looks pretty superficial, but I’d still contact the retailer and see what they offer. A new product shouldn’t arrive like that, but we do live in some different times now

  2. Sortainconvenient on

    The first time you drop it leaning against a rock, it will get these scuffs. I would not worry about it. Mtbs look better with some character.

  3. massivefishes on

    I think this just gives it personality

    if it isnt actually affecting the bike then ride it

  4. handsomeness on

    While it does look cosmetic I’d still see what whoever you bought it from would do about it. Whether a slight refund or credit or something. You will make marks like these within five rides if you’re taking it to on the trails it is meant for but still I’d prefer to make these myself. New bikes are supposed to be new.

  5. CrockGobbler on

    If you’re replacement bike is going to arrive in a box, it’s just as likely to have marks like these. Single boxes in the hands of shippers that deliver to residential addresses are often not going to arrive in perfect cosmetic condition.

  6. CarefulPizza3181 on

    Clear coat peeling on matte paint is a bitch. I would return it. It will look like 💩 with time.

  7. Superficial, and won’t effect the ride experience at all. Still looks like shit, and I’d be bummed in your position having paid for a new bike. You should demand a partial refund. Email their support, demand 20% back and see what they offer you in return.

  8. blankdeluxe on

    Just go ride it. It’s going to get scratched anyway and it’s a bike not a show piece. There are a lot of Karen’s in the comment section

  9. holythatcarisfast on

    I’d return it, and try to find a bike from a LBS that you can visually inspect before purchasing.

  10. shocksfloating on

    No issue with the bike but as everyone else said, most respectable places will give you some sort of credit as long as you tell them shortly after arrival. If not, you still got a sweet new ride!

  11. Bitter_Plastic2362 on

    Good, now go add a shit ton more of them. Jesus man, it’s a mountain bike ffs.

  12. Yeah I mean limiters are saying, it’s gonna
    Get worse than that but may as well get some discounting up front for that.

  13. GreenFullSuspension on

    Try to get a partial refund. See if they are willing to work with you.

  14. If the there are more available, I’d exchange it. If not, then see if you can’t get a discount.

  15. The bike has a matte finish. Those areas appear just to be where the packaging was rubbing during transport. I would just start to ride it so you get more scratches and forget about these small ones

  16. mca90guitar on

    You just dropped a few grand on a new bike, it shouldnt come looking like a b stock product unless you paid B stock pricing. I would ask for a discount at least.

  17. I think it only matters if you were planning to put on a protection film in the spots where the scuffs are.

    I purchased two new carbon fiber bikes this year and both arrived pristine. I installed protective film in all the common touch points and called it good. At this point any scuffs in unprotected areas are badges of honor.

    I also purchased an aluminum specialized bike this year, and it got zero protective film. It’s scuffs will all be badges of honor.

    Matt paint is going to show wear after the first real ride.

  18. Purely cosmetic marks. But you don’t have to accept an imperfect new product unless it was advertised as such if you don’t want to.

    Contact the shop you bought it from and talk to them as no one here can help you. They might exchange it, discount it or offer you something to compensate. Or they might not.

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