Understanding Bicycle Warranties | Simple Bike Insurance (2024)

All cyclists and bike brands are different. Warranties are different from one another, too. Don’t get us wrong, we love warranties. This is why we’re going to help you understand what they are, what they cover, and most importantly, what they don’t cover.

Before you start, time for a quick disclaimer. This is a general overview of warranties and its goal is to help you make the best decision for you as a rider. Not all warranties are created equal, some are better than others.

• Road bike
• Mountain bike
• BMX bike
• E-bike (or electric bicycle or e-bicycle).
• Commuter bicycle
• Beach cruiser
• Or another type of traditional bicycle

It’s important to note that usually warranty coverage is limited to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. If you purchase a used bike, the warranty might not extend to you. As well, if you sell your bicycle, your warranty might not extend to the new owner.

This is the golden ticket of all warranties. The coveted jewel. The motherload. The … you get the idea, it’s a nice warranty that promises to replace or repair any defective product caused by the manufacturer.

Some brands offer lifetime warranties for their bikes while others may offer the chance to purchase one. A lifetime warranty typically ensures that if something on your bike breaks, bends, or cracks, it’ll be replaced with the same part or even something better – regardless of how many years it’s been since you made the purchase. Basically, defects in materials and craftsmanship are covered throughout the lifetime of your warranty period.

It’s important to note that this usually (although not always) means a part degrades because of a manufacturing defect. If something breaks because the manufacturer used a less-than-ideal material, you’re probably covered. If something breaks because you tried to replace your handlebars with rubber chickens, you’re probably not.

But sometimes, if you’re fortunate, lifetime warranties might include part repair or replacement for normal wear-and-tear under normal riding conditions. It largely depends on the brand. Typically, the seller is not responsible for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of your bicycle. This is a fancy way of saying:

If your bike is run over by a truck, it’s not covered under warranty. This is why it’s important to supplement warranty coverage with a bicycle insurance policy.

Remember when we said that retailers run interference between you and whoever promises to repair or replace your bike parts? Fantastic! Let’s say your bike was actually run over by a truck (not fantastic) but you bring it in to try and get it covered under warranty anyway. There’s a decent chance your shop is going to know right away that your bike wasn’t damaged under normal riding conditions and you’re being sneaky. Just sayin’.

You’ve probably heard of and may already have a limited lifetime warranty or a lifetime limited warranty. These usually sound something like “5-year warranty” or “10-year warranty.”

Limited lifetime warranties for bikes and e-bikes are just that. They’re a limited version of a lifetime warranty wherein the brand promises to repair or replace bike parts within a certain period of time.

Some brands are more generous than others when it comes to repairs and replacements

It’s certainly not unheard of for cyclists to get a part replaced with one that’s even better and more suited to their riding style. We’re not saying it doesn’t happen, but we are saying you should always read the fine print. It all depends on the brand and the specific warranty you’re getting.

Let’s say your allegedly well-engineered and manufactured carbon fiber frame cracks. In order to claim a replacement or repair from your bicycle’s manufacturer you’ll need to:

• Check your warranty paperwork to make sure it’s covered
• Remember that (usually) proof of purchase is required to make a warranty claim
• Contact customer service for questions to obtain a return authorization

A return authorization is basically the manufacturer’s way of saying “your warranty is valid, go ahead and send in the part to be repaired or replaced.” Sometimes a manufacturer will distribute a refund instead of repairing or replacing the part or entire bicycle.

Depending on your warranty and its terms and conditions, you might need to find an authorized service provider. This means if you encounter a warranty-covered event (such as a crack in the bicycle’s frame), your manufacturer might ask you to visit an authorized repair provider in your local area.

Some warranty websites have an authorized service provider network search tool, others don’t. If you aren’t sure, read your warranty paperwork and contact their customer service team.

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