[BottomFeeder]

I've been skimming a few threads here, about how poor ellsworth's warranty and service is, and its freaking me out. I just ordered a 05' Specialist frame, to come in around the end of May. Is there anything i can do to make sure that i get my lifetime warranty all clear and vaild and everything?

I'm a mechanic at a bike shop in the Milwaukee area, so i got the frame cheapish, at dealer cost, which is still a lot. I'm buying parts and putting it all together myself, as this has been my dream bike for a while now, and im now going to build it up, and want it to last me.

I guess i just would really like some advice on my warranty, as if im going to blow a lot of money on a frame, with a "lifetime warranty", that i get my deserved warranty. Any tips or anything will be great. Sorry, just all this bad-talking Tony Ellsworth has just got me a little freaked out that im going to get burned on a warranty, hopefully i'll never need to have to worry about a warranty. I'm just building up the bike to be an aggressive trail bike, not trails or dirt jumping or anything like that, so its not going to be quite as abused as a lot of Specialists are.

Thanks for your help here, i really appreciate it.

 

[SCUBAPRO]

I'm a mechanic at a bike shop in the Milwaukee area, so i got the frame cheapish, at dealer cost, which is still $X. I'm buying parts and putting it all together myself, as this has been my dream bike for a while now, and im now going to build it up, and want it to last me.

First, if you work in a bike shop then why are you worried about warranty issues?

Second, EW warranty is no longer a "lifetime" warranty; should'nt you already know that since you work at a bike shop?

Third, do you really work at a bike shop?

 

[Blue Shorts]

I've been skimming a few threads here, about how poor ellsworth's warranty and service is, and its freaking me out. I just ordered a 05' Specialist frame, to come in around the end of May. Is there anything i can do to make sure that i get my lifetime warranty all clear and vaild and everything?

I'm a mechanic at a bike shop in the Milwaukee area, so i got the frame cheapish, at dealer cost, which is still $550. I'm buying parts and putting it all together myself, as this has been my dream bike for a while now, and im now going to build it up, and want it to last me.

I guess i just would really like some advice on my warranty, as if im going to blow almost $600 on a frame, with a "lifetime warranty", that i get my deserved warranty. Any tips or anything will be great. Sorry, just all this bad-talking Tony Ellsworth has just got me a little freaked out that im going to get burned on a warranty, hopefully i'll never need to have to worry about a warranty. I'm just building up the bike to be an aggressive trail bike, not trails or dirt jumping or anything like that, so its not going to be quite as abused as a lot of Specialists are.

Thanks for your help here, i really appreciate it.

I agree with Scubapro.

 

[BottomFeeder]

yes i work at a bike shop, i've been working there for 5 years now. We don't do high end mountain bike stuff much anymore at all, most people come to to buy collector vintage road bike stuff, mid-higher end road bikes, comfort/hybrid bikes, repairs etc. Essentially we do everything but current, high end mountain bike stuff, but i still can order things through the owner at dealer cost, so the owner knows just about as much as i do about ellsworth, since he's never delt with them before. Are you being sarcastic about the warranty thing, or not, im just wondering. I just want to know more about the warranty thing.

 

[slowrider]

$500?

They changed the warranty to two years beginning 03 I think. The specialist is a good tough frame unless you're going to be hucking it off roofs. The most reliable lifetime warranty is Cannondale so if that's a serious requirement and you're going to be dropping roofs buy a C Dale chase and you're GTG.

 

[LowCel]

Yup, warranty is only two years now. I just employee purchased a Truth frame through Ellsworth last week. Got a great price on it. Keep in mind when you get an employee purchase or a frame at cost it is not proper etiquete (sp?) to post that price on the internet. Most manufacturer's and shops would prefer that the public did not know what they charge shops and employees for their frames. Most people that already own the bike are probably better off not knowing how much cheaper you got the frame as well.

 

[BottomFeeder]

Thanks for the information. Sorry i don't know much about Ellsworth as a company. It seems like a few posts ago that you guys are being hostile towards me because i asked this question. I won't post many more questions here anymore, and i'll carefully word them so no one is offended, or has to question my loyal honest experience as a proud bike mechanic looking for help from what i thought were a nice bunch of people. I feel bad for just dragging my question out of you, so i appologize.

 

[Bob the Wheelbuilder]

Keep posting.

The regulars here have a hypersensitivity reaction to warranty posts, that's all. If you want (and I don't necessarily recommend it) read back through all the old stuff on this forum regarding the warranty or quality or "T. Ellsworth is a lying sack of shite" posts and you'll understand.

The warranty on your frame should be 2 years.

LowCel made a good point, too. I'm sure the company doesn't want you posting EP prices on the net.

Let us know how you build up the frame and how you like it.

Bob

 

[LowCel]

Hope you didn't take my response as overly sensitive or anything like that. It wasn't intended that way. I hope you continue to post, I enjoy every chance I get to read something on this forum that isn't negative. It sucks that everytime anyone posts anything here it becomes a big arguement about warranty.

 

[BottomFeeder]

Hope you didn't take my response as overly sensitive or anything like that. It wasn't intended that way. I hope you continue to post, I enjoy every chance I get to read something on this forum that isn't negative. It sucks that everytime anyone posts anything here it becomes a big arguement about warranty.

No no no, its fine, no worries. I was just kinda mad at the time, had a crappy day blah blah blah. Thanks though, sorry i flipped out.

 

[SCUBAPRO]

Thanks for the information. Sorry i don't know much about Ellsworth as a company. It seems like a few posts ago that you guys are being hostile towards me because i asked this question. I won't post many more questions here anymore, and i'll carefully word them so no one is offended, or has to question my loyal honest experience as a proud bike mechanic looking for help from what i thought were a nice bunch of people. I feel bad for just dragging my question out of you, so i appologize.

My sincere apologies for the perceived hostility. That was not my intension but I was a bit ticked off when you posted dealer cost. This, in my opinion, indicated that you did not work at a bike shop. Do continue to post and I hope your questions are appropriately answered in this forum.

 

[Blue Shorts]

My sincere apologies for the perceived hostility. That was not my intension but I was a bit ticked off when you posted dealer cost. This, in my opinion, indicated that you did not work at a bike shop. Do continue to post and I hope your questions are appropriately answered in this forum.

We all responded quickly. Sort fuses, I guess.

 

[lidarman]

We all responded quickly. Sort fuses, I guess.

It takes a thread like this to get any responses.

 

[chad1433]

So the 2 year warranty deal started in 2003? I thought it was new this year, on '05 models?

BF, did you get a '04 or an '05? I know you were looking at both. What did you end up with?

 

[LowCel]

chad - I believe you are right but I'm not positive. I figure Trevor! could tell us since he as a 2004 model.

 

[BottomFeeder]

I bought a new 05' Frame, and they come out the end of this month. I thought that was kind of late in production, to actually release the frame for sales. I called to ask them if the 04' frames were cheaper, since they're 04's and not the brand new 05's, but they said they're only available in the "long" top tube sizes, and i needed a shorter TT, so they recommended the 05's.

They also said they were having a lot of problems with the derailer hangers breaking. Not the replacable hanger part, the actual frame, around the seat and chain stays. They said they improved that design for the new ones, so i figured i'll wait. Kind sucks they're only made in green, i thought the blue or black was pretty sweet looking.

Trevor! may i ask how tall you are and what size specialist frame you ride, and maybe what kind of riding you do? I'm building mine up for a aggresive trail bike, commuting etc. Just curious, im pretty sure mine will fit me cool, just wondering what other people are doing with them and how they fit.

Again, sorry for flipping out before, everythings cool now

 

[LowCel]

Sorry, meant that Trevor! has an 04 model Ellsworth, I wasn't real clear with that one. He has a truth.