Murchman said:
Sorry didn't mean to sound like I was busting your hump. Long day at work so this is just me getting my mind on things more important like Mt biking. Just trying to figure out why frames are failing with what I consider to be normal intended use.
I believe that some people do buy or are sold a bike to lite for them but there also seem to be a number of bikes that fit the rider perfect that fail. I was one; I should have never been sold a fuel which is why I bought an Enduro last month.
One guy on a sugar has been through 2 front triangles and two rear triangles with each failure being different. While another guy who weights more and rides twice as hard has yet to break anything on his. You look at the two and they way they ride and you would never guess the correct guy who breaks his.
You weren't busting my hump. I was concerned about the opposite. I think that I may have confused your post and another here about Trek Fuels.
I know what you mean. I know a guy that kept breaking his Fuel and he weighs the same as me. I couldn't figure it out then finally, he told me a couple of things that fmade sense. He did 2 things that contributed to the failures. He ran the rear shock too soft and bottomed often. He also had a habit of skidding the rear around turns....occasionally hitting rocks and trees with the rear of the bike. Lateral forces are rough on a frame, especially a lightweight frame.
It would be nice if the LBS would recommend a frame that better fits the weight / usage of the rider. Some LBS do this. Some would prefer to just make the sale.....and deal with breakage as it occurs.
A friend of mine kept breaking his Fuel. It happened 3 times. Finally, he decided to get a new and beefier bike. The LBS sold him a Blur. My friend weighs 240 and that's right at the weight limit, according to Santa Cruz. So now, 6 months go by and he has to replace all of the bearings. I'm surprised that the frame hasn't broken yet.
The LBS should have tried to step him up to a Heckler.....or an Enduro, but noooooo. They make more on the Blur so why not sell that one.