Snap and there it is. Carbon fiber broke on my Levo. 🙃
- Thread starter pcase1999
- Start date
Lifetime warranty on the frame?
- Thread starter
- #3
I am waiting to hear back on a replacement.
Fingers crossed dude
Sick! How'd that happen?
You poor man, that is seriously heart breaking and zaps all the joy out of the ride. Screw the bike though, are you OK?
- Thread starter
- #9
Oh ya I am good. Bummed as it was good ride. Hopefully it will be warranted and replaced.
Happy to hear your good to go. After seeing a rash of Levo chain stay breaks on the AL and the CF frames I am surprised that Specialized is not addressing the issue. It makes me question my own Levo's durability
- Thread starter
- #11
True. But I love the bike a blast to ride.
stumpydumpy
Member
Oh bummer
Not that it will help you any further, but a few years ago I had exactly the same on exactly the same location with my Stumpjumper. Something wrong in the framebuilddepartment? In my case it was swapped out under waranty. Let's hope you'll get the same service provided.
Not that it will help you any further, but a few years ago I had exactly the same on exactly the same location with my Stumpjumper. Something wrong in the framebuilddepartment? In my case it was swapped out under waranty. Let's hope you'll get the same service provided.
assuming you have not changed the shock or leverage ratio the most likely reason for the breakage is either a previous impact or a seized pivot or yoke bearing. May be as well to check in order to avoid a repeat of the problem.
Sadly one of the problems with carbon is that apparent innocuous direct impact leaving not visible signs of damage can in fact cause delamination deeper in the composite leading to ultimate complete failure at a future date. The rear triangle is particularly vulnerable to rock impacts. Maybe try for an ally replacement which would make no difference to weight or handling.
Sadly one of the problems with carbon is that apparent innocuous direct impact leaving not visible signs of damage can in fact cause delamination deeper in the composite leading to ultimate complete failure at a future date. The rear triangle is particularly vulnerable to rock impacts. Maybe try for an ally replacement which would make no difference to weight or handling.
stumpydumpy
Member
you could be right, but consider the amount of force it takes on the rear triangle. Imagine the direction of the downforce and that all comes negative perpendiculare somewhere in the middle of that diagonal tube of the rear triangle.
Depends on the usage, but most cases it is foreseeable the (over)load of continious forces will lead to material-fatigueness.
It's not topclass maths; just common sense.
Depends on the usage, but most cases it is foreseeable the (over)load of continious forces will lead to material-fatigueness.
It's not topclass maths; just common sense.
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Usually cracking like this on carbon is impact damage. Aluminium frames is more often continuous/repeated forces
Well... carbon fiber fatigues just like any other material. Maybe it was just time.
- Thread starter
- #19
A little push back from the company but they are going to warranty it. Black color.
- Thread starter
- #20
Thanks for the feedback.
dirtdinner
Member
What was their push back out of interest?
Specialized are usually pretty good with warranties
I have used both carbon composite and ally components mostly for windsurfing. High quality carbon composite using a high modulus carbon and expertly fabricated is incredibly durable provided it is protected from impact , UV and compression forces (e.g clamping). Every layup is however typically only designed to be strong against the specific force applied in any application.
Ally is different in that it's strength and durability is governed by the type of ally used, tube design , and tube wall thickness. Ally can deform and rebound with impact or dent (minor) without significant consequence. Most failures occur at a poorly executed Weld due to "undercutting" . Advances in hydroforming techniques now produce tubes with a variety of shapes and wall thickness in the same tube and with far fewer opportunities for manufacture quality variation than using carbon composites.
In my opinion the only real benefits of using carbon composite is when extreme flex with rapid reflex , or massive resistance to flex combined with very light weight , is required. Hence high quality windsurf booms, masts and boards are carbon composite........and all are reassuringly expensive. Conversely I see no benefit in using carbon composite for bike frames for mtb.
Ally is different in that it's strength and durability is governed by the type of ally used, tube design , and tube wall thickness. Ally can deform and rebound with impact or dent (minor) without significant consequence. Most failures occur at a poorly executed Weld due to "undercutting" . Advances in hydroforming techniques now produce tubes with a variety of shapes and wall thickness in the same tube and with far fewer opportunities for manufacture quality variation than using carbon composites.
In my opinion the only real benefits of using carbon composite is when extreme flex with rapid reflex , or massive resistance to flex combined with very light weight , is required. Hence high quality windsurf booms, masts and boards are carbon composite........and all are reassuringly expensive. Conversely I see no benefit in using carbon composite for bike frames for mtb.
Not sure where you are but somebody else on this forum mentioned this company.
Frame repair
Maybe you have something similar where you are.
Frame repair
Maybe you have something similar where you are.
Mabman
E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Just an assumption and with no skin in the game but I would suggest that it might have been in relation to the "skuff" mark above the break that looks like it was caused by a pretty hard hit?
First thing I noticed anyway...glad that the OP is getting a replacement.
A friend that is a Levo lover maintains a couple in Italy for his time spent there and on their latest trip the motor went out on his and he was able to get it replaced, out of warranty, at the shop he purchased it from originally for $600 and a very quick 4hr turnaround even. So dealing with the Big S has its benefits.
My son was able to get a new motor fitted by an lbs in a day....within warranty.....the speed has less to do with the Spesh warranty than the fact that some Spesh dealers have new motors in stock on the shelf......not something that other brand dealers typically stock
Why do "some Spesh dealers have new motors in stock on the shelf" which is "not something other brand dealers typically stock"?
Just asking.
Ideal. Was just about to say if you can't get it replaced under warranty just repair.
Plenty of DIY carbon repair videos on youtube. And you can get everything carbon from Materials, equipment and training for advanced composites with next-day shipping and expert technical advice. - Easy Composites
But hey, if it is being replaced under warranty that's excellant.
Just wondering , you have a source to prove that statement? How about a number per 1000 units?
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