Catasrophic Klein Faliure

[OldNBroken]

It looks as though I chose the appropriate screen name.

After sitting in my basement for 10 years (I didn't like the ride), I pulled this Mantra out, fitted it with a better fork, and began riding it around this summer. I actually really started enjoying the old URT design. Until today that is...

I got to the top of a climb and felt the rear drop quickly. Further inspection turned up that I was a victim of the infamous red rear triangle crack. I thought I'd escaped that fate.

Does anyone know if Trek is doing any kind of warranty for Kleins, or perhaps pro-rating for newer bikes?

 

[azaro]

Ouch!
Nasty one.
Glad you're not injured.

 

[magicmistertea]

Does anyone know if Trek is doing any kind of warranty for Kleins, or perhaps pro-rating for newer bikes?

sorry but i dont think you are going to have any luck with that one mate ... you can allways try

 

[mechagouki]

If you are the original owner, and you can prove that to your local Trek dealer, then you could soon be the owner of a new FuelEX frame, that is currently the replacement given to honor Klein full suspension frame failures.

 

[feetabix]

i wont make light of that with a 'have you got any gaffer tape' jokes......you must be gutted!....

 

[OldNBroken]

This is my second vintage bike failure of the summer. The other was my Litespeed Tellico. Perhaps I should go on a diet?

 

[Raging_Bulls]

Going on a diet never hurts, but your weight wasn't the issue here. It merely sped things up. It was always going to break at some point.

Due to the design of the swingarm, all the stress and forces are handled by the 2 pieces between the pivot and the top corner of the actual triangle. When you push the pedals, the forces are pulling the swingarm one way, then when your cranks are vertical your weight is putting forces on it in a different direction. This constant alternation of forces is causing metal fatigue really fast on such a design, and it'll just snap off at the weakest spot.

It's basically the same problem certain types of Sbikes are suffering from. All the forces are being handled by a single arm without any reinforcing secondary connection to the frame. It shouldn't be much of a problem if the forces were constant or if the tubes were oversized enough.

I respect Klein a lot and love the Mantra's styling, but that swingarm connection was a mistake of biblical proportions. It's the main reason why I never bought one.
What the Mantra really needs is a new swingarm design where the connection between pivot and triangle is seriously beefed up OR where the pivoting point actually is the top corner of the swingarm's triangle. With either of those fixes it would be an epic bike.

 

[02gf74]

It shouldn't be much of a problem if the forces were constant or if the tubes were oversized enough.

.... and the swingarm is not tube but solid cast (or machined) alloy so not best design.

 

[stevec1975]

This is my second vintage bike failure of the summer. The other was my Litespeed Tellico. Perhaps I should go on a diet?

What happened to the Tellico? Worried about mine now..

 

[WD Pro]

This is my second vintage bike failure of the summer. The other was my Litespeed Tellico. Perhaps I should go on a diet?

What happened to the Tellico? Worried about mine now..

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... highlight= :cry:

WD