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Hi team,
My carbon road bike has had a little damage in a flight. It’s a Cannondale Supersix, one of the rim brake bikes with old school 5mm QR skewer.
Looks like it’s been dropped upside down or more likely had a chunk of weight dropped on the saddle when it was in the bike bag, it’s bent the rear axle a little (the bag is an evoc type with the frame where the bike mounts through the axles) and it’s cracked the carbon seatpost Cannondale save, with the thin carbon layer).
No obvious damage to the frame, or the saddle (has carbon rails). What else should I check/do? I’m inclined to think if it rides ok with new seatpost and QR skewer should be fine?
Get it checked and go after the airline for compensation - and do not take no for an answer. I suspect its a write off - who knows how much hidden damage?
Easyjet dropped my tandem and dented the frame. I ended up with £500 compensation after a bit of too and fro - the expert opinion I got was that it was a written off frame as there was no way of knowing how much damage there was. I did of course continue to ride it
<p>Thanks TJ. In terms of getting it checked, who did you use? Normal bike shop?</p>
I used a lbs that a pal ran.
He gave me a bit of paper saying it was unknown how much damage to the strength of the frame and thus the only advice he could give was that the frame was a write off
CF frame can be xrayed and so on. I would certainly go after the airline first - claim for a written off bike and see what they say. If they say "prove it" then thats the hoop you need to go thru
i do not know enough to say if the frame is damaged at all but given the other damage its certainly possible
Cheers for that!
most airline T&C either exclude damage to bikes or state they're only covered if in a hard box.
most travel insurance policies exclude damage to bikes
you're on your own
Hi 5lab. Suspect I am, but will see what they say. Fairly relaxed about it to be honest.
I just had a couple of things damaged in a bag that got lost in transit for a couple of days. They wanted original receipts for everything along with a pile of other documents. I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle in the end. It felt like they would be difficult snd obstructive as a default. In the end didn’t bother because the hassle factor was likely to outweigh the potential claim.
Did you specifically insure the bike for the trip or through your home contents? I know enough people who fly with bikes that this has happened to 2 of them. Both got replacement bikes through their insurance (eventually).
The only way to check it for sure would be xray or similar wouldn't it? A visual inspection isn't likely to show much.
No, not specifically insured for the trip, which was a conscious decision. Sod’s Law in full effect!
I've taken specific bike cover for travelling before, and even then I thought there was a clause saying while in the airlines hands there was zero cover. On the other hand I also recall reading get a receipt of damage before you leave the airport. I still took the cover but thought any claim would be unlikely to succeed. Such is insurance,I'm sure it's 99% a scam in their favour.
99.5% I reckon, was part of my decision making in not getting it!
Heavy item dropped on the saddle...I suppose a heavy suitcase might do it but compared to a rider it's not a significant weight. Bumped/crushed by a luggage buggy would be feasible, I think I'd treat it similar to being knocked off by a car, damage unknown.
Bike shop isn't going to be able to tell you much so only good to 'write off' the frame, carbon repair places x-ray or ultra sound don't they? If you want to save it then that would be my preference. Fork as well of course.
I recently flew with some powered speakers in hold luggage, a bit of research led me to prepare the package for a 5 foot drop. So I wrapped speakers in packs of coffee beans and about 6 inches of bubble wrap, free I got it from mattress shop. Ratchet straps for handles.
Anyway, I actually saw the package being loaded onto the plane and they were really careful. Got them home and all ok.
Not sure I d do it again with something over a grand, but audio pro outlet don't supply to UK and they were 250 GBP v c 800 new.
I did think about insurance but doubt they could be covered.
It takes some force to break a carbon seatpost. My fixed road bike had a fair few crashes and it was fine.
NO matter what the airlines T&C state under international law they are responsible for stuff damaged in transit
don't give up - keep at them and get your rightful compensation. It took me an exchange of emails and a visit to my LBS to get £500 for a small dent in the frame - once I reminded them of their legal obligations they folded quickly. they rely on folk not making a fuss
Yeah will do TJ. Going to need to ring them tomorroW as the online form doesn’t give you any kind of receipt of submission…
Debating going across to fibre lyte to get them to have a look, veering between give it a go and ride it, versus not worth the risk!
Are you bikes insured at home? I was surprised talking to our insurer that the cover we had also included bikes in transit and away from the house for theft/damage.
Yeah they’re insured through M&S. I’ve got travel insurance through my bank, so looking there also