broken FS 29er...uugh

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

woody

woody

Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 15, 2002
Threads
549
Messages
10,304
Location
Hurricane UT
swingarm on my 2008 GF HiFi Deluxe 29er broke...and GF says there is no replacement "but we'll be happy to give you 25% off a new bike"

whatever...

So, now I'm looking at options...

1> get a shop to fab a pair of swingarms out of alum
2> replacement FS frame, push components over (ie: Voodoo Canzo, Salsa Spearfish or ?)
3> replacement hardtail frame, push components over

the HiFi has a front 100mm Fox and a rear Float RP2


UNfortunately, the more I research, the more I find this is a common issue with the GF products...
 
It's hard to believe that GF doesn't have an '08 rear triangle somewhere in it's inventory as it is obviously a warranty replacement part.

If you bought the bike from an AD, I'd push a little harder or go directly to GF or whatever firm just recently bought the company. If the part genuinely does not exist, GF should be able to offer a "crash replacement" frame for a lot less than 25% off.
 
Woody, I'd get a new frameset as opposed to trying to fix that one... I think you'd be happier.

The one concern I have is if you have whatever crazy proprietary offset fork (g2? maybe) that Fisher likes to use, it might jack up the geometry on whatever non fisher frame you try to install it on.

I'm a steel/hardtail guy... Not sure if they are still on sale, but either pricepoint or jenson was clearing out their '10 Niner frames a week or so ago. I think it was $360~ for a hardtail (aluminum) Niner EMD frame. I've never ridden one, but allegedly they are the truth.

EDIT: Jenson is the one with the NINER emd frames for $370.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FR264I02-Niner+Emd+9+Frame+11.aspx
 
Yeah, it's got the G2 geometry offset...hadn't considered that in a replacement setup...

a quick search on EBay shows other Fox forks with a similar offset...shouldn't be a major deal...

hhmm...$370 isn't bad...
 
woody said:
Yeah, it's got the G2 geometry offset...hadn't considered that in a replacement setup...

a quick search on EBay shows other Fox forks with a similar offset...shouldn't be a major deal...

hhmm...$370 isn't bad...
Click to expand...

Yeah, im not sure that the g2 offset would make a difference either.. just something to consider. I just recall reading about issues (either real or theoretical, can't remember) years ago on mtbr. I know I probably couldn't tell the difference.

One other thing to consider if you are looking to move parts from frame to frame, check the seat post diameter and size of the BB.. bits and pieces can add up.
 
People around here have been breaking those rear triangles like they're made of twigs.

I think some have gotten updated replacements from GF. There's a thread on the sorba.org forum about this problem.
 
yeah, the more I research the more I find that the aluminum chainstay and the carbon fiber seatstay are common breakage items...more reason to not bother with a GF replacement...
 
UPGRADE...................................................................................... to a stronger frame..
 
MANUCHAO said:
UPGRADE...................................................................................... to a stronger frame..
Click to expand...

lol...agreed...'what' is the question tho :)


that Niner EMD is looking more tempting...will see what my local shop says when I pick up my busted parts later today tho...
 
Woody,

A deal is only a deal if it works for you. Ride a Niner before you spring for the EMD frame. I like the company (and the guys on the Niner race team) but I haven't found a Niner yet that felt right to me. I tell everybody looking for a new bike to ride everything they can get their hands on and let the right bike find you.

GF has been owned by Trek for years. Trek is phasing out the GF brand and as of 2010, GF was simply a small boutique line of re-badged Treks (similar to Lexus being a re-badged Toyota w/ upgrades and a higher price).

I can always hook you up w/ a deal on a bike through one of our clients, but right now that would only be expensive carbon XC race machines or FR/DH rigs and I doubt either direction would be right for you.

Best of luck,
.matthew
 
I went hard tail 29er and it's quickly become my favorite bike :)

DSC07243.jpg
 
woody said:
that Niner EMD is looking more tempting...will see what my local shop says when I pick up my busted parts later today tho...
Click to expand...

A guy on our ride up in the Lakes Basin last Saturday broke his GF rear end. Seems like a trend.

I was going to dig up the link to the EMD too. Awesome deal.
 
Woody,

Sorry to hear about your broken rear end. It is often the case that weaknesses in a frame design start to show up after the frames warranty is expired. Sometimes a good LBS will twist some arms and get replacements but that is tough to do if they are not high volume dealers. I have had a good LBS go to bat for me and the mfg bent over backward to make them, and me, happy.

As far as the Niner is concerned. Ride one! I really liked the two I test rode at MBO and locally. The Jet 9 handled really well but was a little on the heavy side. The Air 9 Carbon was an unreal ride. Depending on your needs Niner likely has a good ride for you.

Hardtail vs. full suspension? I have ridden two high end carbon ht's in the past month. I would not hesitate to buy either if I were in the market. Unfortunately both of the ht's I rode were > $4k. I am currently riding a Specialized Epic Carbon Expert. An amazing ride to say the least. Their alloy versions are great bikes, check them out.

Breakage, it is very rare that I find a bike that I don't expect to break. I ride harder than most so my expectation for any frame is @ 2 years or less. If you don't ride as hard as me then your frame may last longer. Yes, some frames are prone to breakage earlier than others. Perhaps I have been brainwashed by the industry but that is just my experience.

:cheers:
 
i thought the point of a 29er was you didn't need rear suspension :D

seriously, sorry for your loss. i agree on buying another frame and swapping. saw this one last week.

2009 Fisher Ferrous 29er - Pinkbike.com

if you do buy a frame check the shock length and other swap details too (headset type, front derailleur mount type, bottom bracket).
 
Woody- Having spent 8 years wrenching on and selling GF bikes, I know for a fact that it should be replaced by Trek free of charge. Unless it was somehow your fault it broke. But I doubt that as I have seen many, many broken frames from GF. Especially the rear ends. The frame has a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Did the shop file a claim on Treks dealer website? I have done this many times with 100% success on broken frames. Trek wants you to continue riding their brands. Their customer service and warranty system is outstanding compared to other bicycle companies. If they don't make that part anymore they should send the shop a replacement frame that is newer. We do this ALL THE TIME. Again, the only time they should offer a discounted frame is if the damage was the consumers fault otherwise it gets warrantied and replaced. The only thing you should have to pay for is shop labor and perhaps a few parts. Worst case scenario is you would need a newer fork. Go to a different Trek dealer. It sounds like yours doesn't understand the Trek warranty system. Good luck.
 
Scott Parsley said:
Woody- Having spent 8 years wrenching on and selling GF bikes, I know for a fact that it should be replaced by Trek free of charge. Unless it was somehow your fault it broke. But I doubt that as I have seen many, many broken frames from GF. Especially the rear ends. The frame has a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Did the shop file a claim on Treks dealer website? I have done this many times with 100% success on broken frames. Trek wants you to continue riding their brands. Their customer service and warranty system is outstanding compared to other bicycle companies. If they don't make that part anymore they should send the shop a replacement frame that is newer. We do this ALL THE TIME. Again, the only time they should offer a discounted frame is if the damage was the consumers fault otherwise it gets warrantied and replaced. The only thing you should have to pay for is shop labor and perhaps a few parts. Worst case scenario is you would need a newer fork. Go to a different Trek dealer. It sounds like yours doesn't understand the Trek warranty system. Good luck.
Click to expand...

This one of the main reason I buy GF. It's well documented that a few frame models have problems, but they stand behind their product damn near every time.

That being said the Spearfish is on the top of my list for FS. But if a hardtail is your thing get a Trek Sawyer and swap the parts out the don't work for you from the old bike the fork will be perfect.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom