Bike Wheels Failure - supplier wants money to replace?

sobeitjedi

Hi.

Looking for some advice. In Sept 2024 I purchased a front & rear bicycle wheelset of an online cycling retailer. I was very happy with the wheels and recommended them to a colleague who also purchased a set. The cost for this wheelset was £225.

In April this year, while out cycling, the rear wheel failed. The hub just span round on it's own without the connection to the wheel. I had not been involved in any accidents and had looked after the bike and wheelset. The bearings in the hub just developed a fault, meaning the wheel could not be used as intended.

I contacted the wheelset manufacturer and (after a few emails chasing things up when it when quiet) arranged to return my rear wheel for them to take a look.

They came back to me yesterday to say the wheel "needs a new freehub and hub bearings. The cost of this work would be more than I can offer you a pair of very lightly used wheels for. I can sell you the pair for £100+vat with no postage charge (total price £120.00)"

I was expecting them to repair or replace the wheel and I certainly can't afford the prices quoted to repair/replace.

Where do I stand? What are my options, do you think?

Any advice gratefully received!

user1977

Your subject line says supplier but your story says you were dealing with the manufacturer - which is it? (or are the retailer, the supplier and the manufacturer all the same party?).

Your statutory rights are with the retailer. But there may well be a manufacturer's warranty as well.

Woodstok2000

Why did you contact the manufacturer and not the retailer (unless they are the same)?

The manufacturer doesn't have any obligations to you, they sold the wheel to the retailer. You bought the wheels from the retailer, and so your consumer rights lie with them. There are many articles on SADFART on mse, and I would certainly expect £200+ wheels to last more than 18 months so you should go to the retailer for a repair/replacement.

sheslookinhot

Another example as to why you should support your local bike shop.

Okell

Who did you buy from?

Keep_pedalling

In the good old days of freewheels this would be a simple cheep fix, but although a replacement free hub does not cost much to buy the wheel will need to be rebuilt by a skilled wheel builder and the vast majority of wheels are put together in the far east so the manufacturer will not have anyone to repair your wheel in the UK. Not sure why they want to sell you a pair when there is nothing wrong with your front one.

Thus is not simple a matter of age, if you have been getting a lot of km in and have been riding in all weathers this is a matter of ware and tear.

BikingBud

We had the very same issue with the cheap OE wheels on a Cannondale Gravel bike. Due to "advances" in technology and constantly changing fit for purpose and repairable kit to cheapest to manufacture kit, bike components are becoming disposable.

I went back to a very reputable local bike shop and basically called it out as c***. They were somewhat upset as they felt I was criticising them rather than the product. But they fell back onto wear and tear and claimed it would be expensive to strip it down and replace. With hindsight I should have pushed harder with not fit for purpose.

UK weather is wet, bikes are meant to be ridden all year, any items that fail, (cheap nasty free hub with limited seals and pawls springs that are susceptible to corrosion and breaking) should be easily replaceable and not require the next higher assembly, (hub) to be changed.

Did you pay on a CC?

I would definitely argue fitness for purpose - not to a standard required for UK use and not be deflected by wear and tear discussion.

I am a Level 3 Cycle Mechanic

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034341#Comment_82034341

I think this is the right answer, just make sure you're having this discussion with the retailer, not the manufacturer.

TELLIT01

As the wheels were purchased in September and the fault developed in April, it is outside the 6 month period so it will be up to the OP to prove a manufacturing or inherent fault in the parts. As the OP would seem not to have the items in their possession that will be difficult. Even if they have them, the cost of expert opinion may well be more than the replacement cost.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034395#Comment_82034395

Well outside the 6 months given the OP stated:

In Sept 2024 I purchased a front & rear bicycle wheelset of an online cycling retailer. I was very happy with the wheels and recommended them to a colleague who also purchased a set. The cost for this wheelset was £225.

In April this year, while out cycling, the rear wheel failed.

So, as well as the OP needing to demonstrate inherent fault, there could well be a deduction for the value of any benefit received to date. I don't know what the life-expectancy would be. It might be pragmatic to accept the offer of replacement wheels for £120, or try to negotiate that price down.

sobeitjedi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82034217#Comment_82034217

Tredz (https://www.tredz.co.uk/) item in question is "Vision Team 35 Comp SL Clincher Road Wheelset"

The warranty info here: https://shop.windwave.co.uk/components/wheels/vision-team-35-comp-sl-road-rim-brake-wheelset-with-sealed-cartridge-bearings__9110

"Full Speed Ahead (FSA) warrantees all FSA, Vision, Gravity, Metropolis, and RPM products to be free from
defects in materials or workmanship for a period of two years after original purchase unless otherwise stated."