Hollowgram cracks - again and again

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tl8nicol
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:10 pm
Location: Brazil

by tl8nicol

I have purchased my first Cannondale SuperSix Hi Mod in 2011 and paid the extra $$$ for a nice Hollowgram SL crankset.

It was a great setup but after aprox. 4 years of normal use, a few cracks came up - as you can see in the pics attached, a couple of cracks on the drive side crank arm just where the two parts are "glued" together, and a pair of symmetric cracks building up from the BB bolt area.

I tried to claim a warranty, but Cannondale Brazil denied the warranty because I purchased the bike in other country (France). Then I asked the bike shop in Paris, and they told me warranty was valid up to 1 year.
Attachments
Hollowgram-right-bottom-reduced.JPG
Hollowgram-right-top-crack-flash-reduced.JPG
Hollowgram-right-top-symetric crack-flash-reduced.JPG
Hollowgram-right-top-symetric-1-reduced.JPG
New pic longer crack pedal - reduced.JPG
<><

romalor
Posts: 241
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:56 pm

by romalor

in Europe the warranty is two years , they lie to you ...
I saw the same issues on a few SISL's but all have replaced under warranties ( on french forums ) veloptimal

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tl8nicol
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:10 pm
Location: Brazil

by tl8nicol

Part II:
Without warranty, I asked Cannondale in Brazil if I could purchase a new pair of crank arms. They did not have it!! :shock:

So I got a new pair of SiSL 2 crank arms on ebay.
Nice, hum???
Not really...

After only 5 months of normal use, both sides have shown a different crack now... take a look.
Attachments
SiSL2 Crack left side reduced a.jpg
SiSL2 Crack left side reduced b.jpg
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tl8nicol
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:10 pm
Location: Brazil

by tl8nicol

That is enough for me. I will get rid of Cannondale and Hollowgram.
<><

Stalkan
Posts: 109
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 1:04 pm

by Stalkan

Wow! That is some horribly bad luck. I've been using some Hollowgrams since 2011 off and on with a SRM and don't think I have any cracks even if I do have lots of nicks from chain drops, shoe rubs, and other such wear and tear. I love my cranks, but if in your shoes I too would be ditching C'dale and all their products

romalor
Posts: 241
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:56 pm

by romalor

After sales service with cannondale wasn't great the lasts 5 years here In Belgium
Now it seems to be better from the friends I've who work in bike shop

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tarmackev
Posts: 899
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:59 pm

by tarmackev

After sales and warranty from Cannondale UK is terrible.



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TheDarkInstall
Posts: 725
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:44 am

by TheDarkInstall

I cracked the non-drive SiSL2 arm, at the point where the pedal screws in. I thought something was wrong with my pedal at first, as it felt weird and rubbery. I looked down and saw the crank flexing in, and twisting, so stopped riding and walked home; no way I was going to risk it snapping and slicing my leg open. Cannondale replaced it, but the service was terrible. At first they sent a used crank as replacement (!), covered in wear marks. I complained, and they took ages to send me a new one. Got it eventually, but the service was ridiculous, especially trying to palm off a used part to me.

alcatraz
Posts: 4064
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:19 am

by alcatraz

Are the cracks only occuring on the SL versions? SISL 1&2?

What about the regular hollowgrams SI's?

I'm a fairly light rider. 60-65kg. Could it be that the SL's were all cracked by heavier riders?

/a

sharkman
Posts: 1399
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:32 pm
Location: the Netherlands

by sharkman

Lately only seen cracks on the latest sl version (the old carbon version had it’s problema roo) Had a friend crack two non drive side arms at the pedal insert and recently saw another one damaged at exact the same spot. all where used by strong riders and guarantee claims denied (washer under pedal was used (and torque wrench). First comment was not to use anti seize but second arm cracked without...


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Braavos
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:52 pm

by Braavos

tl8nicol wrote:That is enough for me. I will get rid of Cannondale and Hollowgram.
Agree. Amazing to know such negative feedback too.

Vuong05
Posts: 284
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2010 7:52 am

by Vuong05

Been using the Hollowgram SL cranks here exclusively for 6 year. Never had a single problem, but I'm only 69 kg.

If I had that kind of bad luck, I would ditch them as well.

Regards.
Current Stable. Evo (Storm Trooper) : 5.39kg | Alchemy Eros : Heavy (7.25kg) I Specialized Allez Sprint 2022 : Heavy (7.62kg)

RyanH
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
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by RyanH

Yeah...
Image

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Digger90
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2015 9:34 pm

by Digger90

That old saying from the 90's mountain biking scene: 'Cannondale' = 'Crackandfail'.

charirider
Posts: 263
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2021 3:00 am

by charirider

That's why I went with Hollowgram Si 2020 version. Way cheaper and bombproof. Weight penalty vs SiSl2 is like what, 50-60g with 1x chainring (in my case), so not worth the risk.
Can't trust bonded stuff like SiSl2 or Dura-Ace/Ultegra of a later years.
2018 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2 rim size 56 (raw stripped) 6.9kg
2014 Bridgestone Anchor CX6 Equipe size 55 (cyclocross) 9.8kg

by Weenie


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