Day 45
Hi everyone!
Not much happened today, just keeping you posted on what my plan is and what my options are.
I called the manufacturer and they directed me to a local bike store. The store took one look and said that the manufacturer would never agree to the warranty; the damage from my crash on the second day was too obvious. Moreover, they said the manufacturer was out of stock of my specific frame. The store offered to look around for frames my size from different companies, and they will call me back tomorrow morning.
My other two options are Craigslist and a welder. I'm going to investigate both tomorrow. The store in Estes Park reccomended me a welder, and I called ahead and they seemed open to looking at the bike and seeing what could be done.
I got to play catch with a frisbee with Janet, Todd, and their eleven month old Sarah, which was a much needed salve for the soul.
I'm still hopeful but today was a bit discouraging.
Thanks for cheering me on!
I've had some falls and some crashes, but never enough to damage a frame. I think that what titanium is known for more is its strength-to-weight ratio, which is decidedly high, as opposed to outright durability. Your story (and others I've heard/read) would tend to push me back towards steel for a frame material, which tends to dent/bend (instead of crack/fail) more than the other common bike frame materials. That's not to say that a steel frame can always be fixed *affordably* but it is more likely than other materials. "Back in the day" when frames were brazed together with lugs at the intersections instead of welded, repairs were easier and more commonplace.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that you got in some frisbee time! Try to be patient here and work things through at whatever pace works. But I'd be disappointed and discouraged, too. Hang in there!
Can't help but think a heavy duty bike manufacturer should catch wind of this story and send you a brand new bike pronto. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThat would be the best!!
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