Seat tube crack, or just superficial scratching?

[musiclover]

Could you please have a look at pics and let me know if my seat tube has been crashed? Thank you.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hdh96c3LekV85CYz9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ebVjm7W6k4dn5xSdA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ewc5bQbp68cKHqLe6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zN9ZWSNisCak1NDZ9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uZ8NcuMLS1v33YTm9

[AJS914]

Wouldn't you know if you had crashed the bike? I'm not sure what you are asking.

Anyway, I don't see anything obvious in those pictures. Is there a particular spot you are talking about?

[wheelsONfire]

Can't see anything either!?

[JScycle]

I can't see any particular spots. There is a small line but looks just like an inconsistency

[musiclover]

Ok, maybe the word that I have used "crashed" seat tube, sounded a bit confusing.
What I meant was that the seat tube cracked by the seat post clamp.

I agree that it is a bit hard to see on the pictures (and even harder by eye) whether anything has actually happened to the seat tube or not, but I have noticed that:
1. The seat post slides very easily right in all the way without support by hand.
2. When tightened seat post clamp makes creaky noise.
3. The seat clamp goes almost all the way by bolt (can be seen on one of the pictures.

All of these suspcious factors made me address the issue with Boardman, the frame manufacturer, as they advertise a lifetime warranty on the frame. Their answer was clear after seeing the pictures: the frame has been cracked by the seat post clamp.

However, they said that they will not honour warranty and suggested that I get another third party seat post clamp and that the bicycle was still safe to use. I did not think it was right as in my opinion the crack was caused by the seat post clamp they have supplied.

[AMGRoadster]

Did you use a torque wrench when tightening the seat post clamp? My guess is that Boardman's position is you overtightened the clamp and cracked the seat post. I am nit saying that is what happened but people have done it.

[musiclover]

Did you use a torque wrench when tightening the seat post clamp? My guess is that Boardman's position is you overtightened the clamp and cracked the seat post. I am nit saying that is what happened but people have done it.

Yes, this is exactly where I am at at the moment. I have sent boardman email asking what this damage looked like. They have replied immidiately by saying "this looks like a crack from you overtighting the seat post clamp". And that was their reason to not honour the warranty for this. Yes, of course I have used a torque wrench. It says 6 Nm on the clamp I have only used it to a maximum of 4-5. I thought that my torque wrench might have been off, so I have gone and calibrated it yesterday. It was accurate and did not need any adjustment. Of course, I have only spoken to manufacturer yet and the shop have not get back to me. But based on what the manufacturer tells me I have a very bad feeling about this.

Any piece of advice?

[wheelsONfire]

The problem with almost all warranties is that the interpretative prerogative can be abused by those giving it!
I have had this experience myself.
The worst thing is that there is little to do. Best way is to approach any issue with a calm detailed response when starting a matter like this.

It seems some companies are pure rotten apples behaving like assholes and some are good.

I think this is something people don't even think of, or possible can't fathom can happen.

Hope you get this solved!

[AMGRoadster]

As WheelsOnFire said a warranty is only as good as the company honoring it.

It does not help in this case but it is usually better to start with your bike shop, esp. if you have a good relationship with them.

In the past I have had good luck with greatly escalating the issue when "tier 1" support makes it clear they are going to do the wrong thing and I have not been able to get anyplace despite repeated attempts. What I mean by this is I jump the queue and circumvent the machinery in place by reaching out to the top of the food chain, aka CEO, COO. It needs to be done in a calm and organized manner. I have only had to do this a couple of times and it was always with very large companies. I do realize that I did not actually get through to "Bill Gates" (using a random (former) CEO for illustrative purposes). But I did get through to someone empowered to make decisions and one who would rather have the issue dealt with properly. Boardmans may well be way too small for this approach.

Best of luck.

[wheelsONfire]

As WheelsOnFire said a warranty is only as good as the company honoring it.

It does not help in this case but it is usually better to start with your bike shop, esp. if you have a good relationship with them.

In the past I have had good luck with greatly escalating the issue when "tier 1" support makes it clear they are going to do the wrong thing and I have not been able to get anyplace despite repeated attempts. What I mean by this is I jump the queue and circumvent the machinery in place by reaching out to the top of the food chain, aka CEO, COO. It needs to be done in a calm and organized manner. I have only had to do this a couple of times and it was always with very large companies. I do realize that I did not actually get through to "Bill Gates" (using a random (former) CEO for illustrative purposes). But I did get through to someone empowered to make decisions and one who would rather have the issue dealt with properly. Boardmans may well be way too small for this approach.

Best of luck.

Same here, i have been dabbling with smaller companies. Bike shops haven't been of any help at all to me.
Only solution has been to do all things myself.
Shops, have completely been bending after manufacturers strange statements which has been a "we don't trust you", so we fabricate something that suits us.
Warranty timeline means zero!! It's really a matter of what the problem is/ has been and if they actually are going to solve a problem.

The largest company i have been talking to is Shimano. The best i should mention, but i don't like to do so, as it will get me in to follow up questions.
Last is Easton and that proved "no help" is happening, even though i have clearly stated that i intend to pay for a change or rim.
Their so called importers have been a problem and finally Easton didn't seem to actually level with their own EU dealerships.

EDIT: I should add, i have always bought brand new and never second hand!

[musiclover]

My thoughts on the matter are: of course I would never buy Boardman again or recommend it to anyone, but this is very specific. Plus, I don't think anyone represents them in Australia any more any way.

In general, bigger good reputation brands like Specialised could provide better customer support and eliminate some other small brands problems. Of course, most likely it will affect the price of the bicycle.

So maybe instead I should try high end Chinese brands like Yoeleo or Winspace. You can be sure that you will get inovation and competitive pricing. This is just very theoretical yet.

[wheelsONfire]

I've heard of a few brands that can be problematic. Bianchi is one of them. Trek seems to be good.
Well, if you like to try a Chinese brand, go for it...

[AJS914]

The beauty of carbon is that it's so easy to fix. Just find a local carbon specialist to repair it and then get back to riding. I'd even go with the carbon "bandaid" look to keep the costs low as repainting the bike is expensive though spot painting white might not be too expensive.

I'd also use a seatpost collar with more surface area going forward.

[musiclover]

I have found out what exactly was the problem: when seat clamp was mashined the cut out in the middle has not been poliched and had a rough edge on the inside which has scratched the hell out of the frame on that spot. Do you think it is a valid warranty claim for a manufacturing fault, or is the damage too minor? Thanks.

[AJS914]

Sounds like nothing. Just get a better seatpost clamp.