Frame Warranty through Olympic/GT

[Jackpot001]

I thought an open forum would be interesting to post my experience with GT and Olympic around a Frame Warranty claim.

 

I bought a new GT Carbon Pro MTN bike from Olympic last year, subsequently I noticed a crack on the frame which turns out to be very deep and is opening up as I ride, pretty scary when you blasting downhill.

 

So I decided to take the bike back to Olympic and request a warranty claim from GT, as this is part of the sales pitch on Carbon bikes.

 

Olympic were quite good initially and took pictures and sent these back to the GT channel for Warranty and replacement query.

 

GT approved the warranty and the frame was sent back to the GT channel.

 

So far so good, however 2 weeks later I have no joy and GT have sent the frame back to Olympic saying that they cannot find a local replacement frame and I can ride the bike as it is only a surface crack, hhmmm, if the crack is opening and flexing then I disagree with this statement.

 

Currently I am working through Olympic to get GT to either upgrade or replace my frame asap, whichever is quickest as surely it is not the customers problem as to how they warranty/replace frames that have cracked and this should be done within a respectable time frame.

 

And the wait and soon to be fighting continues, more info to come as this unfolds.

 

Jackpot

[MTBer]

I have just had my GT Marathon 1 MTB (Aluminium) frame replaced under the GT warranty, (cracked it on Day 2 at Sani2c) it was replaced with a GT Sensor frame as they do not manufacture the old frame anymore and it was sorted out within a week with my LBS here is JHB. All I can say is that I had good service all round.

[freakonaleash]

I have had nothing but fast service regarding my GT replacement.

[Eugene]

Omnico are the importers for GT. Their after sales service is brilliant. Why not contact them directly. You will find their contact details on www.omnico.co.za

[Jackpot001]

Thanks guys, I will contact Omnico directly now and reference the warranty as they are probably aware of it and see if that helps.

[Big J-WP]

Just dont get agro with them, tell them the situation and that you feel unsafe on the cracked frame. Maybe they can borrow you a used Aluminium frame of some sort till the replacement comes from aboard.

[Tumbleweed]

Just dont get agro with them, tell them the situation and that you feel unsafe on the cracked frame. Maybe they can borrow you a used Aluminium frame of some sort till the replacement comes from aboard.

 

I know of many cases where they have done just that.

[_C50_]

Darn, only 2 weeks?

 

Let's see, my warranty claim is still not sorted out, 13 months down the line... How awesome is that??

 

Whatever you do, just don't by a TREK!

[AndreZA]

I know of many cases where they have done just that.

 

Who pays for the two rebuild? You can not re-use cables

[Caerus]

Speak to Weight Weenie, he knows all about GT and warrenties & frame replacement

[steveO:K]

i was in bicycle retail for three years. Omnico have always been excellent with their back up service. Definitely no issues there.

 

It is however possible that they don't have stock of a replacement frame, but as was correctly pointed out above they have been known to loan the client a frame until a replacement arrives.

 

If you do decide to phone omnico, ask for Julian - he's a legend

[Jackpot001]

Well things are progressing.

 

I spoke to Lance from Omnico and Gregg from Olympic is also helping keep things rolling.

 

Omnico have outlined that as GT have changed out many of their frames for new designs for 2012 there is no stock of older models.

 

They have confirmed that they will be changing out my frame for the new 2012 frame which is great news, there are however some parts that will need to be changed and therefore some costs that the customer, me, may have to pay, I am waiting for this view and am hoping they will come to the party here.

 

The Omnico warranty commitment has been good after discussing with them and they have been very helpful.

 

They are also getting a loan bike for me for this weekend's wacky wine race and until the new warranty frame arrives at the end of June.

 

So far a fairly slow process, but the service and assistance has been good once you speak to the right people and get updates.

 

Let's see what cost implications come my way as hopefully this does not derail things.

 

Jackpot

[MJ the Expat]

Speak to Weight Weenie, he knows all about GT and warrenties & frame replacement

I followed the excact same route as the Light One! Waited three months for my frame...

[Caerus]

Well things are progressing.

 

I spoke to Lance from Omnico and Gregg from Olympic is also helping keep things rolling.

 

Omnico have outlined that as GT have changed out many of their frames for new designs for 2012 there is no stock of older models.

They have confirmed that they will be changing out my frame for the new 2012 frame which is great news, there are however some parts that will need to be changed and therefore some costs that the customer, me, may have to pay, I am waiting for this view and am hoping they will come to the party here.

 

The Omnico warranty commitment has been good after discussing with them and they have been very helpful.

 

They are also getting a loan bike for me for this weekend's wacky wine race and until the new warranty frame arrives at the end of June.

 

So far a fairly slow process, but the service and assistance has been good once you speak to the right people and get updates.

 

Let's see what cost implications come my way as hopefully this does not derail things.

 

Jackpot

 

 

So anyone with a frame problem will be getting a 2012 frame? When you say costs, does this mean some parts like for example the cranks, forks won't work on the 2012 frame but fitted on the 2010 frame and now you might have to pay to replace these at your cost cause they don't have any older frames available anymore?

[AndreZA]

So anyone with a frame problem will be getting a 2012 frame? When you say costs, does this mean some parts like for example the cranks, forks won't work on the 2012 frame but fitted on the 2010 frame and now you might have to pay to replace these at your cost cause they don't have any older frames available anymore?

 

I think cranks will be okay. Maybe the fork will require an adapter if the head tube tapers and the seatpost/seatpost clamp might be a different diameter. Otherwise I can't see what else can change.

[Jackpot001]

Yip, still working through it so don't have all the answers, will let you know as it unfolds, but in essence as the old frames on no longer manufactured on the Marathon range we are having to look for alternatives and assess cost of upgrade etc, so there are some issues to work through.