Trek Warning Decal and Letter

Trek5500 said:

I just recieved a letter from Trek telling me how to inspect a carbon component for damage and warning me not to ride a bike with any carbon components after any crash. It also tells me that they have a generous crash replacement policy and includes a warning decal that they would like me to place on the top of the top tube.

Does anyone know why they are sending this?

Because we have not yet been able to raise sufficient funds to build the giant rocket ship to load all of the blithering idiots to which grant law degrees and call attorneys; so that we may send them on their way to into deep space with a very limited oxygen supply. (We will be kind enough to tell them that we are really sending them to a wonderous paradise planet called Litigation VII.) We also will be sure that they sign the disclaimer stating that we are not responsible for anything that may go wrong during the journey; and will also install giant signs in their cockoit advising them that their airbags may kill them.

Well evil lawyers and greedy people are always a good guess; consider the recent lawsuit on behalf of people who don't snug down front wheel QRs.

Even though Trek included a very nice multi-colored, glossy paper insert on "PROPER CARBON FIBER CARE AND MAINTENANCE" with a picture of some strange old guy in a yellow jersey, along with the cool decal, I guess I was really wondering if there were some recent lawsuit or class action attorney enrichment activity.

I had an older 5200 and the frame and fork where crash tested without damage (the 32 spoke three cross wheel and my helmet didn't make it), and I am not going to stop riding my current trek, but I was wondering if there was a real problem or recent claims, perhaps about the bolt on carbon parts that Trek is outsourcing?

Trek5500 said:

Well evil lawyers and greedy people are always a good guess; consider the recent lawsuit on behalf of people who don't snug down front wheel QRs.

Even though Trek included a very nice multi-colored, glossy paper insert on "PROPER CARBON FIBER CARE AND MAINTENANCE" with a picture of some strange old guy in a yellow jersey, along with the cool decal, I guess I was really wondering if there were some recent lawsuit or class action attorney enrichment activity.

I had an older 5200 and the frame and fork where crash tested without damage (the 32 spoke three cross wheel and my helmet didn't make it), and I am not going to stop riding my current trek, but I was wondering if there was a real problem or recent claims, perhaps about the bolt on carbon parts that Trek is outsourcing?

Just read the "proper care of CF" instructions on their website. Sounds like great basic info to me, something anyone riding a CF frame and fork should be aware of and already be doing. Don't know all the details of the CF crash replacement program, but again, that can only be a good thing if it helps get people to replace damaged CF.

I'd say Trek is sending this out now because many more CF bikes are being sold to relatively new and inexperienced riders as the price for CF comes down. The decal is just a good way of reminding you to do the inspections routinely. I wouldn't put it on my bike, but if you need help remembering to do the checks, it really can't hurt.

RANT: Inspection procedures for CF has been a big deal in the aerospace industry for many years, so I'd say this kind of instruction and warning is long overdue. The LBS sellers of major brands have been pretending too long that they are selling "lifetime guaranteed" frames that will never break.

just to C.Y.A.

Trek5500 said:

I just recieved a letter from Trek telling me how to inspect all carbon components for damage and warning me not to ride a bike with any carbon components after any crash. It also tells me that they have a generous crash replacement policy and includes a warning decal that they would like me to place on the top of the top tube.

Does anyone know why they are sending this?