Giant Propel Warranty Claim - A GIANT Headache 

This is such a hard pill to swallow. Now we wait for Hambini to chime in. I'm just happy the ordeal is finished, and I can get back to training. Coincidentally for my first road race of the year.

@@PatrickLino - Could tell it was frustrating to say the least - You handled it much - much better than most. Good Luck & be Safe in Your first Road Race😎

Just get a time bike, nough said

Haha, nice troll will be awesome and double the price.

I owned 2 bikes shops. When I started out for the first couple of years I was a Giant dealer before switching to the Dorrel Sports range of brands and Scott. I can confirm that when it comes to warranty the Giant warranty is not worth the paper it is written on they will always try to weasel out of any warranty claims. This always puts the bike shop in a really difficult position. I never had this issue with other brands.

Really sad to hear this reality. Thanks for chiming in!

In the US? Or would that be a global thing? I want to believe it's only shit in the US.

@@pierrex3226 might even be LBS dependent

Hehe I've been told in years past that I'm sometimes diplomatic to a fault.

I never thought about it in this manner. This is a a fantastic hot take, and one that deserves its own video. Thank you so much John!

I've heard so many stories of Trek simply just replacing frames left and right. Great for the customer (right?) but their frequency of replacing frames clearly must be built into their pricing model.

Thanks for sharing this story! Sometimes a simple benefit of the doubt toward the customer is needed.

A year for a replacement frame is insane. Regardless of the N+1 rule.

Thanks Mike! Maybe Giant is making budget cuts and this includes warranty claims.

@@PatrickLino Not cool. Not cool.

Thanks for watching! Happy we are back in business lol

6 warranties in the last 4 years...absolutely incredible!

I am guessing its the cycle we see with automakers, their rep gets so high quality drops.

Industry issues past 3 years are probably forcing them to cut, warranty departments go first.

@@asebaninja That also crossed my mind...

I have a small 22 revolt 2. I keep checking it for cracks but I have not found any yet. My theory is its the bigger frames that crack. But I do have a problem the paint around the dropout chainstay area is all bubbles. You can tell it’s galvanic corrosion. I don’t know if I even want to try and warranty this frame. Im thinking about just replacing it with the winspace gravel frame. It would be an upgrade at this point. Bigger tire clearance, threaded bb, normal seat post, and shorter reach.

3 weeks in an insane turn around time. I’ve heard worse stories with Yoeleo. I like their products however, and have ridden three frames from them.

I've heard great things about Trek's warranty service. Probably because their demographic of customers are boomers and Gen X lol

@@PatrickLino You may be onto something there 🤔 😂

.@@PatrickLino Millennial here on a Trek.

@@onacoffeeride lol

You are describing defects in a frame that were not your fault. Damage you do to a bike is not covered by warranty.

THIS has been running through mind all day today...

This is insane. No clue Giant had a such a history of issues.

People overlook one of the positives of buying from a factory-to-consumer brand like Winspace/Velobuild/LightCarbon: There is a clear line of communication from the sales team directly to the factory.

Happy to have it back. Thanks for watching and sharing your story!

Giant are being sued over propel forks? Wonder if the new tcr fork could also have an issue….

Your comment will get swept under the rug...

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Thanks for watching Joel!

Crazy how common this issue is.

People get nervous about riding affordable Chinese frames. What they don’t consider is cheaper frames mean less anxiety in the long term since these frames are basically disposable.

As I mentioned a couple of times in the video….I understood the financial implications. This wasn’t my primary issue however. And even if they changed their minds later to not charge me, due to my online presence, imagine what a regular customer would have to go through.

If (and this is a HUGE IF) I decide to purchase and review any further name brand bikes (SL8 ❤️), I’ll most likely need to have an authorized LBS do the work. Sucks because I don’t wanna wait 3 weeks for a bike build, when I can do it at home in two days.

Ah man, I love the bike itself though LoL

@@PatrickLino Bike is super nice, but getting treated like that after dropping over 4k on a frame is a major turn off. I would’ve felt violated lol. I got my eyes 👀 on a Time frame now.

@@lee1210mk2 👀 👀

I did not think to take a photo/video of the crack, because I genuinely assumed the warranty process would be an easy and quick process. The bike was already being stored at the LBS when when things were escalated.

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

Official wheel sponsor of GCN! 🤣

Is that a white decal on those wheels or silver?

@@brandonwingate2199 silver. Elite have the option of silver or black decals I believe.

Nice! What size abloc bottles, small or large?

The disconnect is due to the fact I built the bike myself at home, rather than having the authorized LBS do it. This leaves a lot room for customer fault, which is why I initially offered to pay for the replacement fork. Whether or not it was actually my fault.

@@PatrickLino Ah, did you mention the composite confidence to them or just explicitly try to get it warrantied? Technically they say the composite confidence program is not a warranty and it does apply to frames bought through the web and not only through a giant retailer. It’s usually“no questions asked” replacement (which was my experience) while the warranty only covers manufacturing defects.

Just in time to be flying on the roads for the spring!

@@PatrickLino absolutely!!!

Wow that is a bold move hahaha!

I would assume so, but I also would have thought if you buy a frameset you'd be allowed to build it yourself

I dont think any company stockpiles painted matching warranty stuff. Wouldn't make any sense. They'd be paying millions in storage, and even if someone did need one it probably wouldn't match later due to sun fading.

They probably would have offered a similar situation if they'd done the build, it still would have taken a while to get a fork painted. Honesty the 2 months is really quick turnaround.

I had a 2021 TCR SL rim brakes that got replaced in a warranty. They didn’t have the blue to purple gradient frame in stock but sent me the green w purple hue frame. Was told they can only replace it with the same size (M/L) and type of frame (SL), the colorway didn’t matter. Honestly couldn’t complain tho, got the new frame in like 2 weeks after the accident.

@@arandom.potato 2 weeks is crazy turn around time.

Say whaaaaat!?

I would be lying if I said I didn't originally consider the new Madone, but the Trek stores locally here in Chicagoland have left a bad taste. They are very much out of touch with modern (read: young) riders.

@@PatrickLino i have to admit i was absolutely shocked when they quoted me the price on the replacement fork, i was expecting twice as much!

Just in time. First day of Spring!

LoL were you actually considering getting a Propel? Be honest haha

@@PatrickLino yes. Because this model is the best model I really like. And my local bike shop is about to really drop the price on the models they still have in stock. No one is really buying them down here.

@@Helldivers2Guy Where do you live?

@@PatrickLino Louisiana

Lightweight components will always potentially be less durable. Sadly this is the science lol

Happy to get back to focusing on the bike itself. Shame it's cold here again haha

@@PatrickLino I'm about to start my own battle, second Dura Ace crank fail and this one's not on the 'recall' list 🙄 That'll be no road cycling for the next 1-2 months 👌🏽

@@kpizzle1985 Dang! No N+1?

@@PatrickLino a while ago I decided instead of spreading my money across lots of bikes I'd just put my money into one really nice bike. I do at least have a gravel bike though!

@@kpizzle1985 Truthfully this a good idea. I need to consolidate myself...

Man sorry to hear! PLEASE let me know what your LBS says, and where they place the "blame." Hopefully your experience is far better than mine. Did your LBS build the bike?

@@PatrickLino Will definitely let you know, what they say. They built the bike, but I adjusted the stem height. I overheld the torque specs and didn't notice anything weird. I sometimes noticed weird sounds, when the bike was on my Zwift Hub, but didn't think too much about it. Then the algorithm did its thing, recommended your video and well... here we are 😕 I'm just thankful you made a video about it, which made me check. Can't imagine how bad things could have gone, if it cracked on me, while riding the bike.

I actually laughed out 🤣

Happy to hear some good stories about Giant in here!

The new TCR looks good (albeit the same LoL). Happy they finally internally routed the fork cable.

@@PatrickLino it’ll be an upgrade for me from a supersix evo with mechanical ultegra. I got the advanced pro 0 for 5000$, love the color and the carbon wheels are the new from Giant (carbon spokes)

I'm literally cracking up hahaha 🤣

One of the brands for the "people" has finally sold out!

That is a great video idea! More like Winspace vs Elite vs CRW vs Magene EXAR Ultra (50/58)

​@@PatrickLinoYea that would be awesome to watch! I believe all of those wheelsets are under 1400g except Winspace too. Maybe the rise in competition will force them to bring their prices back down to what they used to be. Don't forget a freehub sound check for each wheel haha

There certainly was a missed opportunity to garner more bike sales for Giant, at the inexpensive cost of making the process for replacing my fork easy.

Is 9000 followers enough for Giant to have a change of heart? hahaha

@PatrickLino I think it's the views that concern any brand. I'd say you have a bigger influence you give yourself credit for. I can think of other you tubers that have 100k followers but I can't stand watching some of those they just simply don't appeal.

Thanks for watching!

I made it clear to Giant I was expecting to pay for a replacement fork (if need be) and that I wanted to resolve things amicably. If anything, I think me having an online presence simply motivated them to expedite the warranty claim more so than the financial aspect.

for sure, that's why he got a consideration. it's not what Pat can pay but what damage can he do to the brand

Do you really think Giant are gonna do the same to us normies? After 10 years with the brand, im done with them and i've just ordered a non-giant bike from a major manufacturer

100% mate! 100%.

@@gabrieljohannson6777 If it takes a low-level RU-vidr like me to be given a warranty exception, what would this mean for standard customers?

Which Ali Express light?

Did you have an N+1 in the meantime?

@@PatrickLino kept riding my caad12. Paintwork was damaged due to corrosion. So fortunately no problems. Thanks for your reply👍

Wow. Giant not even offering at least a discount price for the replacement wheel is incredible.

Everyone always sees Mark LoL

Just in time for Sping!

Most well-rounded and insight comment. Thanks David!

There is potential for high visibility on both sides of this ordeal, so I really want to focus on what happened rather than my personal feelings. I'm just hoping this is the final time I need to deal with the warranty process. Then again...they probably won't cover it LoL

I completely understand the logic and potential liability behind this. Good point.

@@PatrickLino If you're good with your local bike shop do what I do have the shop say they installed the parts haha

@@liquidSpinno way. If he needs to move the spacers around he needs to go into the dealership to get it done? Giant needs to give him the benefit of doubt.

@@youling1997 no way? It's a general policy most brands adhere by not only Giant. I don't make the rules and Giant did give him the benefit of the doubt 🙂

@@liquidSpin trek never say anything like “ oh you put your own wheels on and off, there’s no way of knowing if you damaged the dropout or not”

I stocked up on Prime handlebars right before they stopped selling to the USA.

Savage...🤣

@@PatrickLino It happened often when I used to work an as automotive engineer.

@@richardggeorgei have a 2024 propel and it happened twice in the last 6 months. you might be onto something ahahah

@@riccardocastiglioni5131 You had TWO forks crack on your Propel?

@@PatrickLinoyeah, admittedly though, the first time might have been my fault, since i traveled with it i had to take the stem off and might have reassembled it improperly. it took a while but it was replaced under warranty (i was actually in another continent and managed to get a replacement fork there, props to giant EU). i traveled back home, got the shop to install the new colour matched fork once it arrived, didn't touch it at all and rode it for ~2 months. one day i felt like the handlebar would wobble when i stood up or pulled on it climbing, i stopped the ride and took the bike back to the shop: fork was cracked (crack went down from the very top of the steerer tube for a couple of cm). no one had and idea of how that could possibly have happened and i was given a new fork and the upgraded conctac SLR carbon stem (according to giant it clamps differently on the steerer tube compared to the standard stem). i can't complain about the customer service (i'm in australia), but i have to admit that they lacked in terms of communication and at times it felt like something dodgy was going on. i love the bike and i am sticking with it, but if anything breaks again i am done with it, i'll sell it and move to another brand. so sorry you had to go through all that, i feel ya!

Nice, thanks for sharing!

4 years later, the T1500/T1550 is still a lovely value.

My Agile frameset arrives next month. It's waiting to be painted ❤

I forgive you for not actually not watching the video, nor understanding the context ❤

I watched it all. They made you a favor to produce a matching color fork .Thats good customer service in my book.@@PatrickLino

why not 30nm?

Tighter is better, and safer!

Check out the Australian website Concentric Cycling! concentriccycling.com/

@@PatrickLino thanks Patrick

I can compartmentalize my feelings about the actual bike separate from the warranty process haha. Let's just hope this is final time I need to use it.

Ouch hahaha. Then again, I've built about eight or so sub-$700 Chinese frames.

@@PatrickLino Yeah, I was meaning to say from the likes of Winspace, tavelo etc. Not sure about the sub $1k frame set brands though. haha

I’m hoping over time that feeling will go away. Because I’m constantly reviewing bikes, I can’t imagine this frame being a “forever” bike anyway.

By strong social media presence, you mean being at the bottom of the totem poll among cycling content creators.

See my pinned comment LoL

No fault on the LBS. However, is it the customer's responsibility typically to chase down their respective warranty rep?

I'll make a video on it. When it comes specifically to Chinese branded wheels...the more you pay the more you get.

They’re aeroooooo haha

I got a 2021 TCR advanced pro 1, Ive had for three years now. I'm thinking about selling it and upgrading to a propel!🚴‍♂️

Need more context

Are we thinking the latest TCR? haha

Having the bike built at a shop would not have changed the issue of needing a color matched fork that was discontinued.

@@PatrickLino thank you for replying to me I have a giant contend AR1 I really like the bike for the price and what the components you get with it

@@johnjr47 On paper, Giant is tough to beat in terms of value to performance. The overwhelming percentage of customers love their Giants. In fact one of the racers in my club has 3, which was one of the main reasons I bought one!

Elite Drive 65D - 65mm depth. I would recommend the 50D for an all-around wheel. I also have a discount code for Elite hehehe

@@PatrickLino lol I shall get a look after Majorca in April :) I’ve slr1 giant wheels on my tcr but hookless and quite narrow 🤷‍♂️

Easier communication to get replacement parts since it's direct to consumer.

Size ML frameset

Or you'll just have to have the new frame built at an authorized Giant bike shop, so they can assume all liability. Or you can just race and crash your bike LoL

@PatrickLino By the way, Yoeleo came through for me with my warranty claim. All is good.

@@stuartdryer1352 Hey we each got good news this week haha

If you've been following my channel for some time, the majority of my bike builds are with Chinese frames costing typically $700 or less. No need for warranties (or insurance) since the frames are practically disposable at that price point. You get about 75-85% of the performance for a 1/5th the price.

A GIANT deuce!

I clearly stated to Giant that I understood the financial implications. Both the bike shop and Giant’s warranty dept inspected and assessed the crack themselves. No need for photos on my video since the decision was ultimately determined by Giant.

Happy the ordeal is finished!

Thanks Keith. Happy it's over now and happened during the Winter, rather than Summer.

6 months is wild. I hope he at least had N+1

just out of curiosity, which brand would you consider solid here in australia?

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SipPGzCYBbw.htmlsi=V_4UfqCLSd3at5ah

Haha I am extremely paranoid now. I at least won't be doing any serious maintenance on this bike on my own. 🤣

I can get behind the: "You built it, your fault." perspective. This is why I mentioned being open to paying for a replacement fork without making a fuss about it. However, having to chase people down and essentially use my social media presence to get a matte black fork is a brutal wake up call. Doesn't fair well for standard customers if they were in my position.

You are talking to someone who's built around eight sub-$700 framesets haha. Who needs a warranty that pricepoint.

What was the problem??

@@PatrickLino bottom bracket is oversized and ovalized. Have a solution on the way (enduro bb). Have been riding my Felt mostly and the quality is MUCH higher. Is more expensive, obviously, but i like the brand. NO FAF!

@@universe-juice Felt Bikes look great!

Even with my research prior to purchase, I didn't know this amount of folks would come forward about their bike issues. Makes me wonder if these problems are common across all brands.

Haha. Yeah they definitely cheap out on things you don't really notice. All my bearings seized up after a couple months of use. All contact points are crap that needs to be replaced right away. Right now, nothing is stock on my giant but the frame. My trek road bike is still running the headset bearing from 9 years ago

In my email to Giant, I was clear that I was fine with paying for a new fork (if need be). I just did not understand why a matte black fork would be indefinitely unavailable. My RU-vid channel is small, all things considered.

RUH ROH!!

How old is that bike?

@@PatrickLino 3 years but I’m not serious about cycling

@@MichaelRedford Thanks for watching!