[jta]

No, this is not how it works. SRAM will not deal directly with the customer, they will only talk to/deal with the dealer. BUT...that really has nothing to do w/ how the claim is handled. Nearly all warranty claims are taken care of online through SRAM's b2b. SRAM then make a decision on how they're going to take care of the issue.

Thanks for the clarifcation. That aligns with my experience in contacting SRAM – they told me to work directly with the retailer to resolve the warranty claim. Competitive Cyclist was fantastic with their customer service and the entire process was easy to follow, but they did require me to send photos of the damage, ask me to explain how it occurred and ultimately return the bars to them.

However, SRAM certainly relies on their authorized retailers to practice some discretion with their b2c relationship – i.e., being reasonably sure that the customer followed the terms and conditions of their warranty policy and used and maintained the product in a manner consistent with their intended application, before moving onto the b2b site to initiate a claim. That was the gist of my comment since the OP was asking about differences in warranties.

 

[jta]

I was speaking to a local wheel builder in Toronto who’ been building wheels for 40+ years. He said that Enve are great rims but due to their hefty price tag I should also look at brands like Astral Veil Series. He said 10 times better and much cheaper. Also told to look at Mavic CXP. So now it’s back to mountains of post reading and reviews. If any of you have personal info with either of these rims I’d love to know your opinion.

I'm definitely no expert on the subject of wheels/wheelbuildling. CX and a lot of other guys here can give you great advice.

I don't think you can go wrong with Zipp Firecrest laced to DT Swiss. The Mavic CXP do seem to be in different category – aren't they alloy rims and low profile?

 

[Mberlin74]

I don't think you can go wrong with Zipp Firecrest laced to DT Swiss. The Mavic CXP do seem to be in different category – aren't they alloy rims and low profile?

I’m actually not sure. I just got the message this morning from the wheel builder. I won’t have a chance to do any proper research until tonight. Looking forward to hearing peoples opinions on those brands though.

 

[Lombard]

The Mavic CXP do seem to be in different category – aren't they alloy rims and low profile?

Yes, this is correct. And if you read around these parts, there isn't much love for Mavic in general.

 

[cxwrench]

Someone says a certain wheel I've never heard of is "10x better" than Enve? No. Not possible.

 

[SPlKE]

Someone says a certain wheel I've never heard of is "10x better" than Enve? No. Not possible.

Especially bad when said in the NOT Wheels and Tires subforum.

 

[cxwrench]

Thanks for the clarifcation. That aligns with my experience in contacting SRAM – they told me to work directly with the retailer to resolve the warranty claim. Competitive Cyclist was fantastic with thier customer service and the entire process was easy to follow, but they did require me to send photos of the damage, ask me to explain how it occurred and ultimately return the bars to them.

However, SRAM certainly relies on their authorized retailers to practice some discretion with their b2c relationship – i.e., being reasonably sure that the customer followed the terms and conditions of their warranty policy and used and maintained the product in a manner consistent with their intended application, before moving onto the b2b site to initiate a claim. That was the gist of my comment since the OP was asking about differences in warranties.

Yes, 'some discretion' is used. I will offer my opinion as to whether a warranty is likely to be denied, I rarely say anything about one being approved. I always let the customer know that the decision is 100% entirely up to SRAM. They have approved some warranties that completely amazed me. They still have pretty great CS in that way. If someone comes in with an obvious non-warranty problem, ie: crash damage I'll tell them it's not worth my time to start the warranty process. If they insist I'll charge them my 'warranty processing' fee. Beyond that I have no part in the process.

 

[Lombard]

Yes, 'some discretion' is used. I will offer my opinion as to whether a warranty is likely to be denied, I rarely say anything about one being approved. I always let the customer know that the decision is 100% entirely up to SRAM. They have approved some warranties that completely amazed me. They still have pretty great CS in that way. If someone comes in with an obvious non-warranty problem, ie: crash damage I'll tell them it's not worth my time to start the warranty process. If they insist I'll charge them my 'warranty processing' fee. Beyond that I have no part in the process.

This reminds me of the shop owner I know who showed me a broken off brake lever on a bike where the customer asked if that was covered under warranty. Yeah, people will try anything.

FWIW, this same shop owner was able to finagle a warranty replacement on a Shimano wheelset (hub bearings went bad) that was 3 years old even though they normally only warranty wheels for 1 year. I certainly wasn't expecting this and was pleasantly surprised.

 

[regan40c]

I got Zipp 303 firecrests for $1520 using a coupon code with brands cycle. Tough to beat the Zipp warranty.

 

[Mberlin74]

I got Zipp 303 firecrests for $1520 using a coupon code with brands cycle. Tough to beat the Zipp warranty.

Damn! That’s a sweet deal!

 

[Mberlin74]

I got Zipp 303 firecrests for $1520 using a coupon code with brands cycle. Tough to beat the Zipp warranty.

i don’t suppose you know if they’re an authorized Zipp wheel builder do you? I’m trying to find a place that can build a set of Zipps for me with DT Swiss 240’s at a somewhat “decent” price. I’m up in Canada and from what I can find up here, the Canadian distributor for Zipp won’t sell just the rims to any dealer, shop, builder etc. Even though Zipp allows it, it’s apparently up to the distributor. I’ve spoken to SRAM about it. Really sucks!

 

[regan40c]

i don’t suppose you know if they’re an authorized Zipp wheel builder do you? I’m trying to find a place that can build a set of Zipps for me with DT Swiss 240’s at a somewhat “decent” price. I’m up in Canada and from what I can find up here, the Canadian distributor for Zipp won’t sell just the rims to any dealer, shop, builder etc. Even though Zipp allows it, it’s apparently up to the distributor. I’ve spoken to SRAM about it. Really sucks!

I don't see anything on their web site about being a builder, but I don't know. I just chose them because they had the best price and accepted the coupon code.

Just curious, what makes you want the DT Swiss hubs vs the Zipp hubs?

 

[Mberlin74]

I don't see anything on their web site about being a builder, but I don't know. I just chose them because they had the best price and accepted the coupon code.

Just curious, what makes you want the DT Swiss hubs vs the Zipp hubs?

In all the reading and research I’ve looked at Zipp hub reviews have been hit and miss. The DT Swiss 240’s (after the internal fix) have pretty much all favourable reviews. What’s your take on the difference?

 

[regan40c]

In all the reading and research I’ve looked at Zipp hub reviews have been hit and miss. The DT Swiss 240’s (after the internal fix) have pretty much all favourable reviews. What’s your take on the difference?

I've never had DT Swiss hubs so I can't speak to them with any personal experience. The Zipp hubs have been great so far, but I only have a little over 2000 miles on them (dang winter).