Eric F 

Trek still offers a lifetime warranty on their frames.

eduskator

Unrelated to the topic, but I'm always surprised to see how some sellers (LBS or owners) are trying to use that ''lifetime warranty'' as a lever when they sell products. I see that with Giant bicycles all the time.

First, the warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials. It does not cover normal use, including material fatigue. In other words, good luck getting a warranty claim for a 10+ year old frameset. Secondly, the warranty for most manufacturers is only valid for the good's first owner.

JohnDThompson 

Yes. I was Trek's warranty claim inspector in Waterloo in the mid-80s; @eduskator's comment is spot-on. If you raced on the frame, that would also exclude warranty coverage. But warranty claims are as much public relations as anything else, and we would try to be generous in offering repairs or replacement at a discount in all but the most egregious abuse cases. IOW, it can't hurt to ask.

Eric F 

Why does racing negate the warranty? In my experience as a former racer, my bikes got ridden just as hard on non-race days.

eduskator

Use of bicycles for competition is normally included in the warranty exclusion list.

Can't say why, but I can say that it's excluded for a lot if not all of them.

Eric F 

Trek literally markets multiple bikes as "race bikes". I'm not seeing anywhere in the warranty language on Trek's website where using a bike in competition voids the warranty.

eduskator

Limited Warranty (trekbikes.com)

Bikes used for commercial activities, including those in rental, demo, or security fleets.

Is racing a commercial activity?

alcjphil

Anyone who is a competitive racer will put a lot more strain on the frame even on non race days

Eric F 

Interesting...that language was under the 2012-2019 heading but not in the language for current models. It seems to me that is racing was an issue, they would specifically include that language. I'm not a lawyer, and have never played one on TV, so I'm just guessing here.

Eric F 

I've always known non-racer folks who were stronger riders than me, even when I was at the peak of my racing fitness.

How can Trek exclude warranty coverage for someone who raced on a Madone, marketed by Trek as "The Ultimate Race Bike"?

bampilot06

there is a 50cm US postal, Ultegra 5800? For sale in my area pretty good condition.

Just throwing that out there.

eduskator

I completely agree with you. It would be paradoxical to market a product as an ''ultimate race bike'' while excluding race usage from its warranty, but with capitalism, I learned that anything was possible.

JohnDThompson 

That's a question for the lawyers, which I am not.

Carbonfiberboy 

My 2000 5200 has been my every-day bike (except for rain) since I bought it. It's still somewhat stock, having been able to replace tired drivetrain parts with new equivalents, though not the same tooth counts. I wore out the rims of course and the other thing I changed out is the stem, which broke at the single bolt to the bars. Looks like everyone else has done the same. That thing was dangerous! Back then the 5200 came with a12-25 Ultegra, whereas the 5500, for ~$1000 more came with a 12-23 Dura-Ace. See, if you have more money, you're a stronger rider, obviously.

The stupid aluminum cable stops corroded and fell off, as did the paint. I had it repainted twice but it fell off again both times. I finally hand sanded all the paint off down to bare epoxy and epoxied on new cable stops, which have been fine. Aluminum cannot be allowed to contact carbon as it's way too far away on the galvanic scale. An epoxy barrier works fine. The bike probably has around 90K miles, no problems other than as described. Looks more like a Calfee or something now. The frame is just beautiful. I spray it with 303 Protectant to keep the UV off it.

Yeah, not the classic look, but for sure the best purchase I ever made. It absorbs vibration wonderfully and goes where it's pointed.

rr99

What a wonderful desription of your 5200. Can you post a photo of the bike?

seypat

I'd guess a bike/frame used for racing is more likely to be crashed. That might be the reason for the warranty issues.

Carbonfiberboy 

Here it is, just an ordinary long distance bike. Note the spare tire.

Eric F 

That's already excluded..."Damage or failure due to accident, misuse, abuse, or neglect"

Personally, I've crashed a lot more times not racing than when I was actually racing.

rr99

Great setup. Love the TT bar.

Despite having a great bike, I respect people that actually ride their bike to the max, and not stair at it all day long, which unfortunatelly is a disease for every bike enthusiast.

tempocyclist

georges1

very nice trek