Yeah, I guess you’re right. I scratched an enve rim changing a tire, so I guess I could get a new one. I have just never even considered using the warranty for that purpose, but maybe I should if everyone else is.
Since we’re talking warranties, I’ll share about my experience with Specialized. Bought a 2023 Crux Expert when it was on sale at a Specialized store. About a year later there was a creaking headset issue I could not resolve, and I brought my bike in and they discovered a hairline crack in the fork steer tube I believe, a day later they said that I would be getting an entirely new bike - which I did. Unbelievable - the new bike has more clearance, UDH rear derailleur hole if I ever go that route.
A few months later I’m out bombing, and I crunch my rear rim bunny hopping a curb. I didn’t realize it and rode it that way for another month or so and it held up. I contacted the store again and they said they would ship a new rim and rebuid the wheel, and I’d just have to pay for labor, spokes, and nipples. Three days later I show up and there’s a brand new Roval Terra CLX wheel ready instead. Apparently, they aren’t making the same rims anymore and because I was so grateful for the new bike they gifted me a completely new wheel. Long story short, buying that bike was some of the best money I’ve spent, and I can’t say enough good things about the Specialized warranty process in my specific case.
I can imagine Enve have inventory of unbuilt rims, so cheap(er) and easier to supply a replacement rim. Giant maybe don’t bring in rims, and maybe few wheels not attached to bikes. So their only option is a complete wheel set, which it sounds like they have no problem giving out in the first two years, but beyond that they don’t have a way to sell a discounted wheel/rim.
It is probably worth putting a table together when considering new carbon wheels that maps out the usual weight, price etc, it also includes warranty and part availability for replacements. I’ve always been careful around very proprietary hubs for that reason. Roval and Reserve seem to have addressed it well with common DT350 hubs and common spokes. I’m surprised Reserve wheels don’t get more love with their warranty.
Similar story with specialized warranty. I got a flat tire on a trail and it was still 8 miles down to the trail head. We couldn’t fix the flat so I just rode on it for 8 miles and 5k ft of decent on a rocky way down. The rim was completely busted at 100% my own fault. Brought it to the shop and they called specialized. They overnighted a new wheel that was an upgrade since mine wasnt made anymore.
And you know what’s funny? After @Power13 argued that I was comparing apples to oranges, I was under the impression that, yes, giant wheels are a bit cheaper, and that’s fine.
But:
- Giant SLR 2 - 36 CAD 1,398
- HUNT 44 Aerodynamicist CAD 1,422 + 56 freight. It has lifetime crash replacement
So, in fact it is apples to apples. very close pricepoint.
I can’t blame Giant, that fault is on me. I didn’t do my due diligence and checked crash replacement before. But I can say that I’m disappointed.
That’s why I’m not blaming Giant. They don’t offer crash replacement, and the 2 years warranty isn’t really like Hunt, Zipp, Enve. I should’ve been more diligent when buying them.
That’s also the why my next wheelset won’t be Giant.
Gentle nudge to bring this thread back to sales and deals.
This thread’s purpose in life is to help all the subscribers save money by spending more money 
.
29 Likes
I’m confused. Are we talking about crash replacement or a company offering a discount on a second wheelset due to a small chip that developed during regular riding?? Seems like two very different things.
I’ve got a lot of chips on my Supercaliber frame. Should I be asking Trek for a discount on a new Top Fuel due to the chips on the Supercaliber? I would have never thought to ask for that but maybe I’m missing something… 
But they do offer crash replacement as I copied above. They do not offer cosmetic replacement or discount which to my knowledge no one does.
Man, it would be nice for some deals and sales in the Deals and Sales thread. Can we take the warranty talk elsewhere?
23 Likes
Apparently deals are drying up… or just not that good. So if I am hearing this right you need to crash your bike to get a deal. 
What are your go-to sites for browsing bike parts? I’m in the market for fairly specific bars and spent a good amount of time scrolling through offerings from performance bicycle, biketiresdirect, and some specific manufactures pages. Who else has a large selection and a decent website?
Looking for 38cm, Carbon, Flat top (aero) with a 100mm width at stem mounting point (making them clip on aero compatible).
Maybe these? Can get an extra 10% off if you sign up for emails.
Don’t think such a unicorn exists…the closest would be the Bontrager bars, but it is questionable how aero their tops are. Kinda bulky.
Great minds think alike 
Beat me to it!! 
I know they won’t have the bars you’re looking for, but in the interest of sharing good sites, Worldwide Cyclery has a great mtb business. They used to sponsor the MTB podcast that Jonathan did.
Slow day at work @FrankTuna and @Power13?
Thank you both - those are on my list but nearly don’t qualify as aero bars because of their blocky shape as @Power13 mentioned.
Appreciate the shout for the different page @Pbase. I’m far from purchasing MTB components but nice to know
Hah…far from it, but this is my water cooler. Plus, we just had a discussion about those bars recently, so they were top-of-mind.
Who’s asking?? 
I actually have these Bontragers on the way because I wanted narrow aero handlebars for clip on aero bars! I’m currently running 37cm Enve SES Aero Road bars which are great. Enve makes dedicated clip on aero bars (maybe worth a look for you?) but they’d be too low for me, so I wanted to try cheaper clip ons with a higher stack.