[climber]

I have a pair of Ksyrium Elite wheels exactly three years old with at most 2k miles on them. About a year ago the pawls went and now one flange has broken on ND rear where spoke end are supported/held.
I expect better. But LBS are refusing to accept any responsibility, all they are doing is deflecting responsibility to Mavic and hiding behind what Mavic may say regarding wear.
Problem is I have a charity ride on 17th August and need a wheel.
When I suggested they think creatively and they could make a cheap wheel the response was ‘whos going to pay for it’ and ‘we don’t stock campag’ (even though I got the campy wheel from them obviously!).

I know where I stand legally i.e trader has responsibility for up to six years from date of purchase to supply goods fit for purpose etc. This responsibility is flexible I appreciate, but for a £500 set of wheels to fail twice in three years is not what I would call ‘fit for purpose’.

First, anyone heard of this problem i.e. the spoke holding flange disintegrate?
Second, opinions about reasonable life expectancy of these wheels (price does come intop this)?
Third, anyone got a contact in Mavic?

I understand things go wrong and break, but the frustration here is the attitude of the shop.
Cheers

Topic

[mike the bike]

Mavic are French. The French
Mavic are French. The French have many fine characteristics*, a deep respect for the letter of the law is not one of them. I fear you will struggle with this one.

*I have this on good authority from a chap who once went there.

[glynr36]

Completely missed those.
1.
Completely missed those.
1. I’ve read about some snapping like that, though more on the DS where the chain might have dropped off the cassette.
2. Lifespan is subjective, depends on the roads you ride on, your weight, if you’re a smoother rider pick your lines carefully they’d last longer than someone nailing it through the bad surfaces, also if you’ve had any crashes as well. Personally I’d call 2/3 years about right for a £500 wheelset to need consumable parts replacing like bearings/pawls/springs, a hub cracking is different and I’d not expect that, but then if you have really bad local roads, weigh a bit more, had a crash etc, then it could be possible.
3. Mavic seemed to be awkward to get an answer out of when a mate wanted something from them a few years ago, but things could have improved since then. Always worth dropping them an email (I imagine they’ll refer you back to the dealer though).

[climber]

Glynr36,
Thank you for your
Glynr36,
Thank you for your input, I’d be especially grateful if you could answer one or more of my questions.

Cheers

[glynr36]

bashthebox wrote:Hmph, sounds

bashthebox wrote:

Hmph, sounds like the shop are being really difficult with you. Might be time to drag out the Sale of Goods Act of 1979. Mavic may or may not honour a warranty, but the shop most certainly have a responsibility to sell you stuff that doesn’t break.

This is something 3 years old, you won’t get anyway where SOGA on this.

You’d argue that you’re riding the wheels in a way that they are designed to – perhaps you could show them strava data to let them know you’re not riding 1000km a week, so your usage isn’t deemed exceptional.

Anyway, real up on SOGA and talk to the manager using ‘fit for purpose’ and other such terrifying phrases. They’ll probably fix things for you sharpish.

They are fit for purpose though, 3 years old and then something has gone wrong, you can’t hold a shop accountable for that.

[glynr36]

Pawls are a
Pawls are a consumable/serviceable part though, they wear. Would you complain to the manufacturer of the tyre you use when it wore through?

Also SOGA saying 6 years isn’t how long goods have to last for though.

tradingstandards.gov.uk wrote:

How long have I got to make a claim?
The law states that a trader’s legal responsibility for faulty goods lasts for six years from the date of the contract. This does not mean the goods have to last this length of time, but this is the time limit that the law gives you to take legal action.

Also if you are going to pursue them under SOGA as it is more than 6 months after you buying them the onus is on you to prove they aren’t upto standard, not the retailer.

Basically, something broke, and it’s out of warranty, suck it up and pay for the new stuff you need.

[climber]

Thanks Bash…..
I’ve tried
Thanks Bash…..
I’ve tried that but the bloke in the shop said he knew all about the Act, and then when I mentioned traders’ obligation he said “well I don’t know about that”.
I can sense a Small claims action in the pipeline to educate them.

What I don’t think is a good idea is to start a publicity campaign in case it may scupper any small claim action.
Cheers

[bashthebox]

Hmph, sounds like the shop
Hmph, sounds like the shop are being really difficult with you. Might be time to drag out the Sale of Goods Act of 1979. Mavic may or may not honour a warranty, but the shop most certainly have a responsibility to sell you stuff that doesn’t break. You’d argue that you’re riding the wheels in a way that they are designed to – perhaps you could show them strava data to let them know you’re not riding 1000km a week, so your usage isn’t deemed exceptional.

As for Mavic wheels generally – I’ve had the pawls go in two wheels so far, a mate’s has gone once too. The lovely Mavic Scream as you freewheel.

Anyway, real up on SOGA and talk to the manager using ‘fit for purpose’ and other such terrifying phrases. They’ll probably fix things for you sharpish.

[Author]

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