Guys,
Hope you can help - This isn't a retrobike specific question, but just after a bit of support/guidance relating to a wheel hub that has gone bang (freehub part), and that I am being told can't be repaired under warranty by Merlin.
Back story:
I was out riding a few weeks back on my newish wheel with an XT hub, coming down a hill when suddenly there was an odd noise and the chain was getting thrown forwards. The freehub had entirely locked. I came to a halt rather abruptly. Suspecting something major, I tried riding slowly - identified properly what was happening, then I took off the wheel for a closer look. Yep - the cassette was locked. Luckily my father in law was at home and had a spare wheel... so my day wasn't ruined, but of course, I sent the wheel back to Merlin to get it looked at. What they've come back with I cannot believe... so I thought I'd check with some retro guru's if this is realistic, or acceptable.
They found what they described as 'fishing line' wrapped around the back of the freehub. Their first email contradicted itself, saying that they couldn't know if it had actually made it's way inside - then later on, stating that it had.
They sent me photos of what they found. Didn't look like fishing line, but it was a black, very fine thread line fiber. They said £40 for a replacement free hub, or they can send it back to me. I argued with them a little but they were adamant it was not a warranty issue. Told them to send it back to me with the 'black stuff' - as I was not convinced and I wasn't about to pay them the £40.
On examination - I can say that this stuff is not fishing line... it is in fact horse tail hair (pretty sure... used to own horses and know the feel of it).
This stuff is not strong. It can be held between your fingers and snapped with ease, and very little strain- it's hair!
What I have to ask you lot is - do you think
a) this should be covered under warranty and if so what should I do?
b) Do you think it could cause such a failure in a freehub? I am struggling to believe that a new XT hub could be devastated like this by a horse hair. If so - is it fit for purpose!?
My personal view is that actually, the free hub internals have just collapsed (machining error or something), and that the horse hair is a red herring.
At the very least... I'd have expected Merlin to deem it an uncertain cause and replace it free of charge.
What do you think?
Hope you can help - This isn't a retrobike specific question, but just after a bit of support/guidance relating to a wheel hub that has gone bang (freehub part), and that I am being told can't be repaired under warranty by Merlin.
Back story:
I was out riding a few weeks back on my newish wheel with an XT hub, coming down a hill when suddenly there was an odd noise and the chain was getting thrown forwards. The freehub had entirely locked. I came to a halt rather abruptly. Suspecting something major, I tried riding slowly - identified properly what was happening, then I took off the wheel for a closer look. Yep - the cassette was locked. Luckily my father in law was at home and had a spare wheel... so my day wasn't ruined, but of course, I sent the wheel back to Merlin to get it looked at. What they've come back with I cannot believe... so I thought I'd check with some retro guru's if this is realistic, or acceptable.
They found what they described as 'fishing line' wrapped around the back of the freehub. Their first email contradicted itself, saying that they couldn't know if it had actually made it's way inside - then later on, stating that it had.
They sent me photos of what they found. Didn't look like fishing line, but it was a black, very fine thread line fiber. They said £40 for a replacement free hub, or they can send it back to me. I argued with them a little but they were adamant it was not a warranty issue. Told them to send it back to me with the 'black stuff' - as I was not convinced and I wasn't about to pay them the £40.
On examination - I can say that this stuff is not fishing line... it is in fact horse tail hair (pretty sure... used to own horses and know the feel of it).
This stuff is not strong. It can be held between your fingers and snapped with ease, and very little strain- it's hair!
What I have to ask you lot is - do you think
a) this should be covered under warranty and if so what should I do?
b) Do you think it could cause such a failure in a freehub? I am struggling to believe that a new XT hub could be devastated like this by a horse hair. If so - is it fit for purpose!?
My personal view is that actually, the free hub internals have just collapsed (machining error or something), and that the horse hair is a red herring.
At the very least... I'd have expected Merlin to deem it an uncertain cause and replace it free of charge.
What do you think?