What's Going on at Stages? Ceases Operations, Apr 2024

I got the same emails but instead of recommending them to friends like I used to I’m basically telling friends to tread carefully or not buy one. I like my SB20 a lot but not being able to get support for basic parts an expensive piece of equipment is really shitty.
I’ve got two friends about to buy an indoor bike I just told them both to disregard the link I sent them from stages that gets me a gift card because I don’t want them getting a product that won’t be supported.

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Similar issues. Have had a SB20 since April '21, worked great and now both power meters are not responding - replaced batteries, reset, etc. Opened a ticket 2 weeks ago and no response. Tried calling and left VM again today, no callback within a week. I told them I would PAY for the replacement power meters…nothing. Considering buying another Wahoo Kikr instead…I’ll give it another week.

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I had an issue with my SB20 and the response from Stages Europe was top notch.

I have no confidence that Stages will be around long term. I ordered the wrong left arm over the holidays and despite multiple emails and trying to call them, I could not get a single person to respond to me from their customer service. I would never, ever, recommend doing business with them.

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I wish I would have known that US customer service has completely disappeared before I bought another powermeter from them. When I couldn’t reach anyone regarding my order, I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I thought, “How nice. They must all be on a company outdoor retreat somewhere.” :rofl: :rofl: Be careful everyone not to lose the little gasket on the battery door. If you’re in the US, sounds like you’ll never see another. Sad.

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Probably easier to walk it into a hardware store.

I think the OE one is silicone, given it’s green color, but you’re not sealing out harsh chemicals so material doesn’t really matter.

Silicone is preferred if you grease it as you should if you really want it to be water resistant.

Can you provide the link to this reddit thread please?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Velo/comments/17x4jtb/what_has_happened_to_stages_cycling_are_they/k9ldnpn/

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I know others whose experience with their crankarm PMs have been good but I had 2 of them die over the course of a few years so that was enough for me to stop using them.

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So just a data point, but I put in a ticket on one of my Stages PM, got answer in couple days.

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I’m hoping you are in the US …?

Yep

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Are folks still having trouble with Stages customer support? I’m thinking about buying a used SB20 instead of a new Kickr Shift. It’d be a huge dollar savings, but the lack of support is scary.

Another thread with more recent activities.

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3 power meters, all developed similar faults, totally unreliable. For the record, I bought only the first one. Never again. They offered the 4th at a discount, I refused and binned it instead.

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How? I have considered throwing mine into the dumpster at my office, but it’s too heavy without a forklift.

Got my $500 check from Shimano from The Big Crank Recall. Wondering what to look for now. Assioma? Vector? Swap cranks? Bag it?

4iiii is still a solid choice if you like the Stages approach.

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I am getting a check from Shimano as well. I went with 4iii, so fingers crossed. I’ve been happy with Stages power meters previously and have recommended them, but I’m worried now about the customer service issues that others have been having, and my local bike shop had called Stages many times and couldn’t get a response.

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