Aluminium frame corrossion
Discussion
I have a Giant TCX SL2 cyclo-cross bike. I've had it from new and it is about 20months old.
It has a load of bubbles under the paint on the down tube, right along the length. The paint is not broken so the bubbling is coming from the inside out as it were. The rest of the frame is unaffected. I have taken it back to the supplying shop who have taken photos to send to Giant whose frames are covered by a ten year warranty.
What to you think the corrosion mechanism is and what do you think Giant will do?
I'm not very impressed as I use the bike for competing on and don't want a weakened frame when bouncing down a rutted hill.
Steve
It has a load of bubbles under the paint on the down tube, right along the length. The paint is not broken so the bubbling is coming from the inside out as it were. The rest of the frame is unaffected. I have taken it back to the supplying shop who have taken photos to send to Giant whose frames are covered by a ten year warranty.
What to you think the corrosion mechanism is and what do you think Giant will do?
I'm not very impressed as I use the bike for competing on and don't want a weakened frame when bouncing down a rutted hill.
Steve
Excuse my ignorance, but isn't alu corrosion instant, in that when it reacts that's it and the oxide protects the mental and not weakens it like steel
Think its just cosmetic , not that it helps you, I can imagine Giant telling you its "part of the manufacturing process"
I scratched my old alu frame deeply and worried about corrosion, but heard an interesting science professor tell me not to worry at all
Think its just cosmetic , not that it helps you, I can imagine Giant telling you its "part of the manufacturing process"
I scratched my old alu frame deeply and worried about corrosion, but heard an interesting science professor tell me not to worry at all
Do a Google Image search for "sweat corrosion aluminium handlebars".
A friend of mine had it happen to him. He was working on a platform out in the Caribbean at the time, using his bike on a Turbo for hours at a time. He stank when he was my housemate, so I always assumed he sweated something a little toxic.
I wish you the best of luck with the claim though.
A friend of mine had it happen to him. He was working on a platform out in the Caribbean at the time, using his bike on a Turbo for hours at a time. He stank when he was my housemate, so I always assumed he sweated something a little toxic.
I wish you the best of luck with the claim though.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/M1yKzQzi.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/M1yKzQzi" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/M1yKzQzi.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/Fpe9PfFI" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Fpe9PfFI.jpg)
louiebaby said:
Do a Google Image search for "sweat corrosion aluminium handlebars".
A friend of mine had it happen to him. He was working on a platform out in the Caribbean at the time, using his bike on a Turbo for hours at a time. He stank when he was my housemate, so I always assumed he sweated something a little toxic.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...A friend of mine had it happen to him. He was working on a platform out in the Caribbean at the time, using his bike on a Turbo for hours at a time. He stank when he was my housemate, so I always assumed he sweated something a little toxic.
daddy cool said:
I thought it might have been covered before, but wasn't sure. Bit scary though, right?No progress yet.
Am I correct in my understanding that although Giant may warranty the frame, as I bought the bike from my LBS, my contract is with them, not Giant, and so it is up to them to make good any fault? I know that there are reasonable time clauses or suchlike in the Sale of Goods act but I would have thought it was reasonable to expect a bike frame to last longer than 18months.
Steve
Am I correct in my understanding that although Giant may warranty the frame, as I bought the bike from my LBS, my contract is with them, not Giant, and so it is up to them to make good any fault? I know that there are reasonable time clauses or suchlike in the Sale of Goods act but I would have thought it was reasonable to expect a bike frame to last longer than 18months.
Steve
Steve, you should deal with your LBS. Do you have proof of purchase or are you such a good/frequent customer they'll remember you?
I had the misfortune of a cracked aluminium Giant Revolt frame in the summer after 15 months of light use. Took the bike in to LBS, they phoned Giant whilst I was there and agreed a new frame and fork would be sent ASAP - well, they proposed a blue frame and the original was grey, so wouldn't match.
Your LBS will feel the pain - Giant warrant the frame but the LBS covers the cost of strip and rebuild. All turned around in 5 days.
I had the misfortune of a cracked aluminium Giant Revolt frame in the summer after 15 months of light use. Took the bike in to LBS, they phoned Giant whilst I was there and agreed a new frame and fork would be sent ASAP - well, they proposed a blue frame and the original was grey, so wouldn't match.
Your LBS will feel the pain - Giant warrant the frame but the LBS covers the cost of strip and rebuild. All turned around in 5 days.
I had 3 or 4 Marin frames replaces via three AD which I hadn't purchased the bike at. I did rebuild the bikes myself each time.
Always sent back completely bare and returned with new headset, BB and seat post!
There Warranty was excellent, also aluminium frames but failure of welding or pivot points.
Always sent back completely bare and returned with new headset, BB and seat post!
There Warranty was excellent, also aluminium frames but failure of welding or pivot points.
HJE said:
Steve, you should deal with your LBS. Do you have proof of purchase or are you such a good/frequent customer they'll remember you?
I had the misfortune of a cracked aluminium Giant Revolt frame in the summer after 15 months of light use. Took the bike in to LBS, they phoned Giant whilst I was there and agreed a new frame and fork would be sent ASAP - well, they proposed a blue frame and the original was grey, so wouldn't match.
Your LBS will feel the pain - Giant warrant the frame but the LBS covers the cost of strip and rebuild. All turned around in 5 days.
Yes, a good customer there. I've bought 4 bikes from him (one each for me, the boy, my daughter and wife) as well as numerous bits and bobs, all my servicing etc.I had the misfortune of a cracked aluminium Giant Revolt frame in the summer after 15 months of light use. Took the bike in to LBS, they phoned Giant whilst I was there and agreed a new frame and fork would be sent ASAP - well, they proposed a blue frame and the original was grey, so wouldn't match.
Your LBS will feel the pain - Giant warrant the frame but the LBS covers the cost of strip and rebuild. All turned around in 5 days.
He is being a bit awkward with this matter though, having still not been in touch with Giant even after me taking the bike in last week.
Steve
Steve, sounds like he's stalling for whatever reason.
I'd check you have the lifetime warranty - I think it's fairly recent - and then ask him why he's not taking your issue seriously, as in not contacting Giant ASAP. I'll admit my claim was a little clearer - split half way around the top tube - but what's stopping him taking photo's and sending them to Giant?
Clearly you are a valued customer. If this doesn't work try Giant directly - who will probably direct you to the LBS!
Good luck!
I'd check you have the lifetime warranty - I think it's fairly recent - and then ask him why he's not taking your issue seriously, as in not contacting Giant ASAP. I'll admit my claim was a little clearer - split half way around the top tube - but what's stopping him taking photo's and sending them to Giant?
Clearly you are a valued customer. If this doesn't work try Giant directly - who will probably direct you to the LBS!
Good luck!
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