[beastmaster]

I heavily damaged a seat stay on my 2022 Yeti ARC frame in a crash--totally my fault.

I bought the frame online via Competitive Cyclist in January of 2021 and my LBS built it up with all new components bought from them and not CC. They have secured me a crash replacement frame. Yeti has sent CC the frame set and I am waiting to hear from them regarding my payment for the new frame. New the frame is $2100 and the crash replacement is $1300. I was instructed that I have to cut out the frame where the serial number is located, essentially destroying the frame completely prior to CC sending me the replacement frame. So I swung by my LBS to see what their schedule is like to R & R all the components from the old frame to the new frame and if they could hold onto the components while we wait for the frame from CC to arrive.

OK, so while I am at the shop, one of the regional reps for a big component supplier mentioned that in Albuquerque is a carbon specialist who makes material for the defense and aero space industries and other stuff, like the new molds for Allied Bikes. (I live in Santa Fe) Anyway, he said he sold one of his personal bikes to someone who broke the frame and had it repair there for about $300. Apparently this shop does really excellent work and it would cost significantly less than the crash replacement costs.

So here is the ethics question; am I honor bound to buy the crash replacement from from CC as they got it from Yeti and are now prepared to ship it to me once they receive my billing information? One other aspect, CC didn't tell me I would have to destroy the damaged frame prior to receiving the crash replacement. Or can I tell CC to forget it, and proceed with this other repair option, saving me about $1,000. Being raised Catholic (haha, not one anymore, but old tapes are hard not to listen to), my feeling is that I should get the frame from CC as this other option came after my agreement to get their crash replacement.

What are you intelligent thoughts?

 

[mack_turtle]

repairing a frame means less trash in the landfill. a single frame is not going to going tip the Earth into chaos, but in principle, some people try to create less waste whenever they can. so there's that.

 

[eb1888]

Call customer service at Yeti and see if they'll take the frame back with you paying the shipping costs.
Send them a picture of the damage if you haven't.
Before you do that get a quote and time from the repair shop.

 

[233946]

Ask CC to return it to Yeti. They are good to deal with and should have no issue. If you feel guilty, offer to compensate CC for their return shipping cost.

 

[slomtbr]

Does the stay have built-in flex? If yes, I'd replace it. If no, I'd opt for the repair.

 

[Tama John]

I've had a Fuel EX repaired by this company (Southwest Composite Works) twice. Had a rock strike under the bb that shattered the carbon. Also a top tube crack (bike fell over and tt hit a metal table leg).

Reasonable pricing, totally professional - used a vacuum chamber etc., the whole bit.

Sold the bike a few years ago, still going strong.

 

[nobody special]

Every mfg I have dealt with requires you to destroy the frame when getting a warranty replacement but I don't know if all require it for the crash replacement.

However, I would not repair the seat stay, I'd just get the replacement. Repairing a triangle is not a problem usually because the surfaces are wide and have a lot of area to bond to.

 

[547319]

I would contact the company and get their thoughts and price estimate on repairing it before making a decision.

 

[noapathy]

However, I would not repair the seat stay, I'd just get the replacement. Repairing a triangle is not a problem usually because the surfaces are wide and have a lot of area to bond to.

OP, ignore this. Seat stays/chainstays are a simple repair for professional carbon repair people. $300 sounds about right, but inflation could push it higher these days. I agree with cass...get a quote before deciding.

 

[uintah]

Check out Broken Carbon. Brady does great work.

 

[Cleared2land]

Personally, I would seriously consider repair over replacement.

 

[phantoj]

First, get a quote for the repair. $300 sounds a bit cheap to me, if it also includes a good paint match.

Is the price for the whole frame or just the rear triangle?

 

[senorbanana]

Would future warranties from potential issues in other frame areas be viable after the repair? I would consider that as a point as well. Would suck to lose lifetime warranty due to the repair and find a manufacturing defect in your headset layup for example.

 

[eatdrinkride]

First, get a quote for the repair. $300 sounds a bit cheap to me, if it also includes a good paint match.

Is the price for the whole frame or just the rear triangle?

Whole frame. The Arc is a hardtail.

OP: you definitely need to talk to the repair people first. Last thing you want to do is tell CC you don't want your replacement frame and then find out you can't get yours fixed for some reason or it's going to cost $900 with prep, paint and clear coat.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Up in New England carbon repairs start around $500 with paint. Plus shipping and time potentially.

I would trust a reputable repair, it comes down to economics and time or each choice.

 

[shwndh]

Does this $300 include shipping, painting as well? I would repair it if I had no crash replacement options or the crash replacement cost was significantly more expensive than repairing. If that $300 becomes more like $600 compared to $1300 with warranty still in effect...

 

[donR]

I had a near identical impact facture in the rear stay of my hard tail, a Focus Raven Max. I successfully repaired it DIY as there was a 5 week wait for the carbon repair shop. I have some good DIY photos to follow if you want to give it a try. My only concern was that the repair was stronger/stiffer than the original construction so there was possibly a bit of imbalance in the rear stay flex. I don't think this would matter so much on a dual suspension bike with linkages but on my hardtail it eventually failed around the seat tube but that could have been unrelated as that frame was very light weight construction.

 

[Taroroot]

Im pretty sure if you get a failure elsewhere ona repaired frame, youll get a lot of resistance to getting it covered under warranty, regardless of if its near the repair or not

 

[r-rocket]

How much is warranty, and crash replacement coverage, and higher resale value worth to you?

You would recoup the dollar difference in price if you had another crash and need replacement coverage. Same with warranty coverage.

When you go to sell the bike, the crash damage will lower the value. The repair will reduce the value of your bike if you properly disclose it when you go to sell it.

The repair is cheaper upfront, but in the long term it could be the more expensive route.

 

[BansheeRune]

How much is warranty, and crash replacement coverage, and higher resale value worth to you?

You would recoup the dollar difference in price if you had another crash and need replacement coverage. Same with warranty coverage.

When you go to sell the bike, the crash damage will lower the value. The repair will reduce the value of your bike if you properly disclose it when you go to sell it.

The repair is cheaper upfront, but in the long term it could be the more expensive route.

Indeed, wouldbe buyers will bikeefax it an fineout all 'bout that bondo bike! BikeFox never lies...