EJ123

Haha that light is the reflection of the lbs's sticker.

Hank Rearden

Are we looking at the same pictures?

dminor 

Well, I think Trek has learned something (or will) from their design of this frame:
1) Don't put your high stress loads in line with each other on the top and down tubes
2) Don't make gussets so huge that they concentrate the loads out onto the thin-walled part of the tubes
3) Don't attach the swingarm pivot to the downtube without a triangulating tie to the seat tube.

Oops. I'd say Trek owes ya one, EJ123. question is, do you want another one? Sorry it took you out of commission.

Flak

What on earth makes you think this?! The bike failed you. I find a frame breaking like that completely unacceptable.

I thought bruisers were supposed to be 'tough'? Guess square tubing and a tough sounding name really isnt all that crash hot.

mx_599

i can't help but think part of the problem was a severe and abrupt bottoming from a light spring

redallerd

Well, I mean, look at the pipes, it's broken like in the middle, not where two of em join.

Eatadonut

Looks to me like you got ninja'd. Be glad they sliced your frame, and not you.

Jason222

I think it's safe to say Trek's bruiser frames suck ass. I hope their Session's arn't the same way.

dminor 

They're both ripped right at the welds, exactly where you'd expect it. Weld beads seldom break; the weakened metal immediately adjacent is usually what gives. Bad welds (oxidization, overpenetration, etc.) can contribute to this, but I still think bad design is a major culprit.

EJ123

Maybe they can give a me a remedy frame instead

Chone

heheh thread hijack...

well anyways like I've told people a thousand times... the Rockhopper is an awesome bike, it serves me real well and takes the abuse like a champ, I would not prefer any other 900$ bike ever, I just like the Rockhopper so damn much, the BB5s are less than I expected but still good, I'm getting hydros later this year anyways, the fork is great, a little too rough on the small stuff (maybe its because its not configured well) but it absorbs big hit stuff like a champ (6 footers is the max I've tried on this bike and the Tora barely used all of its whooping 100mm of travel), the wheels are just awesome (getting tires out of the rims is a frigging oddysey though) they just LOVE to stay true and keep that tube inflated, the tires suck (I'm getting Kenda Nevegals) and the drivetrain group is okay I guess, deore shifters/cassette/chain/f.derailleur and lx r.derailleur, not bad but it would be a lot better if it was SRAM... Truv cranks are so-so but they get the job done, stock pedals are terrible but at least they are moderately light, I put Azonic Fusions on my RH and they've been real swell, seatpost/saddle combo is heavy and saddle rails are already bent, stem and handlebar are no name but stiff and sturdy and ok in terms of weight nevertheless, specialized enduro grips wore out very quickly but were very sweet while they lasted and still get the job done even worn out, avid fr-5 levers are light and well designed and last but not least... the frame is amazing, weight is just under 4 pounds, its seems very strong (lets just hope it doesn't crack like this Bruiser3 ) and I LOVE the geometry on it, for the 880$ it retails for... I couldn't ask for more of a bike, I mean it might not be for everyone and its definitely not for every riding style and everyone's riding needs... but I love it personally and would recommend for everyone shopping for bikes in the 500, 800 or 1000 dollars price range to at least try out a Rockhopper.

As far as my trials skills go... well I can bunnyhop rather well... not too high but that will come with practice I guess I can also static bunnyhop but I can't sidehop for hell, I can lurch and backhop well I'd say and I can lurch-dropoff well too, I can do 180 pivots which is good enough for me, I can almost japslap I just need more practice and I'm working on the 180 spin dropoffs which are coming out rather well, overall I'd say I'm still quite a noobish trials rider, I'm very inconsistent and mess up constantly, my moves are not as fluid as they should be (they still manage to impress though ) but I guess time and practice will make me a better trials rider, you need a LOT of dedication and patience for this type of riding, if you have ADD or something like that... you better start freeriding or something lol. I've only been riding trials seriously since I got my Rockhopper (I could bunnyhop and pedal stroke before that but meh) and I have lots of time to improve my riding.

Karldar

Damn, son! Way to kill a frame! Good luck on gettin' a new one, man.

Jason222

I'd say I'm just a bit more advanced than you. I'm unpolished too. I can do all the things you said, but I can sidehop and japslap rather well. It just takes practice. I bet if you practiced for say, 2 months more, you'd be exactly where I am now.

WinterGreen

Took the words out of my mouth! That's pretty intense! I think that Treck will give you another one, well...they should. -Will

WannaGetGood

That's makes me feel stuiped. Lesson learned.

cream.soda

thanks looks like it took you a long time to do that post... you must your rockhopper very much...
like a fat kid loves cake or like michael jackson loves little boys? jkjk no offence jacko

i bet i'll enjoy my rockhopper very much too :beer when i get it in the coming week, i'll post PICTURES

hope it's got a nice frame that won't split on me when I upgrade it to a $2000+ aggro-xc/all-mountain machine.

btw EJ123 you said that the reflection i talked about earlier (where it creepily foreshadowed the exact location of the split) was an lbs sticker... maybe your lbs inadvertently used a rapid aluminum-chewing acidic glue to put it on, leading to your bruiser's certain demise

scr1be

okay, now i'm REALLY scared my bike is going to break...

cream.soda

does it have a shiny lbs sticker on the downtube? if so..... :S:S:S

redallerd

Just make a photo of it to know where it will brake

Hank Rearden

They failed at the WELDS.

Look at the pictures again.

Siu Blue Wind

Hank, don't waste your time....you have such a wealth of information, share it with those who will respect it.

redallerd

OK, ok, my bad! I don't know what I was looking at...

mtnbiker66

Well at least your forks not broken...........

LowCel 

What's the big deal? Have you people never heard of duck tape**********?

EJ123

LoL