OH NO! My 2018 Kona Wozo Fat Bike frame is cracked!!

Рет қаралды 1,436

Жыл бұрын

After more than three years of riding my 2018 Kona Wozo Fat Bike I discovered my frame is cracked! I've noticed that each time I washed my bike it there was always grease or oil in one spot on the frame. This video shows the steps I took to finally figure out what was going on.
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#crackedframe
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www.trailheadbicycles.com
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Entire video shot with the GoPro Hero 8.

Пікірлер: 96

@Fatbikethong Жыл бұрын

Interesting ! Hope they look after you !! Kona dropped the 7005 frame for the Wozo a couple of years back and the seatstay bridge is a bit different on recent models. I have a 2017 BIG HONZO and the seatstay/seatube/top tube junction is a more substantial design IMO. The minimum I would expect is a replacement frame, assuming the warranty is in order. After all, the other welds at the seat tube have been subjected to additional stress, and those at the chainstay/dropout junction similarly so. These may also now fail over time ! You've not mentioned any paint flaking off, so maybe the fault has been there from new ?!?. Anyhow, hope it's resolved in your favour and doesn't spoil your passion for fat fun.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thank you @Stuart! I hope for the best as well. Correct you are, I believe this crack, or bad weld was there when I bought the bike. There wasn't any paint peeling going on at all. I don't think anything will spoil my passion for the sport!! Stay well brother 👍😊

@shaunroach7829 Жыл бұрын

I had the original 2016 green Wozo!!! Weld failure same spot. It was 2019 and Kona didn’t want to sent me a purple frame so they sent a 2018 blue frame same as yours. My LBS warranties 4-5 Wozo frames. In 2020 Kona changed the rear end to a 197 rear hub so replacing the frame if the second frame broke my crank set, rear hub would also need replacing!!! To be proactive I ordered a Surly Wednesday frame and swapped all the parts over steel is real!!! Kona should warranty your frame with with a Kona Woo frame but your going to need new hub and crankset because of the different bottom bracket!! For the cost of replacing a new rear 197 hub and crank set I would just get a Sury Wednesday frame and swap everything over!!!

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Wow, that's a real bummer @Shaun Roach! I really like the frame I have and I kind of picked my color scheme around the frame. I'm hoping they still have some 2018 frames laying around in the back room somewhere just in case Kona decides to replace it!! I like your idea about getting the Surly frame and swapping parts. Honestly, I hope I don't have to buy another frame. Take care Shaun!!

@shaunroach7829 Жыл бұрын

So Jens your going to run into a couple problems with Kona discontinued the making of the Wozo. The last year 2020 frame Kona moved to a 197 rear hub and redesigned the bottom bracket stay. Kona basically replaced it with the Woo frame. You will need to rebuild your rear wheel with a 197 hub, new crank set to. If it’s going to to cost you $500-600 to replace what you got might be better to buy a new frame and swap your parts or have the frame repaired. Kona warrantied 30+ Wozo frames from 2017-2019., at one point there wasn’t any new frame models left in Canada because of warranting so many. My LBS replaced 4-5 frames and most of us have moved on from that frame. Good luck 🤞

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your wealth of information with us @Shaun Roach! Decisions, decisions, decisions... What's this Old Man going to do?

@shaunroach7829 Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike I would warranty the frame, Kona will give you a Woo frame go ahead and seek it. I would get a steel Surly Wednesday frame swap all the parts over otherwise new hubs and crankset. Price it out DT Swiss 350 and new crank might be $700-800 you go with Onyx or I9 hubs with new crank then might be more. Wednesday frame is similar geometry steel frame should be stronger and Surly has lifetime warranty on their frames too.

@caddysfattyadventures4370 Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear about your frame hope it gets sorted out soon

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Awe, thank you @Caddy’s Fatty adventure’s! I hope for the same thing!! Thanks for stopping by 👍✌️

@Mike-vd2qt Жыл бұрын

The grease residue is coming from your seat post. Mechanics always grease the seat post, so if your getting water inside the seat tube it migrates through the crack in the weld.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Correct, you are @Mike! Thanks for sharing this information!! Now, others know how the residue is getting on the frame in this funky location 😉✌️

@scottsoffroad Жыл бұрын

Hi Jens.Thanks for the video 🙂

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome @Scott Bowman! Thank YOU for checking out my videos!! 😊

@coralhound Жыл бұрын

So sorry about this Jen’s I read Shaun’s comment and am afraid it’s going to be a more complex replacement… best of luck

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thank you @Chris Kuehn!! Yes, I think @Shaun Roach brought up a lot of problems and resolutions. We shall wait and see how this all plays out! Thanks again for checking out my videos and I appreciate your comment!!

@markusparkus4952 Ай бұрын

Nice vid. Glad to see Kona honoured their warrenty for you. My kona unit x 2021 xl has a crack in the same place. Gutted!

@OldManFatBike Ай бұрын

Hey there @markusparkus4952! Thanks for your comments!! Sorry to hear your Kona suffered the same demise. ☹️ Did Kona not do right by you, Marcus?

@markusparkus4952 Ай бұрын

@@OldManFatBike Hello Sir. The bike shop has finally pulled it's finger out and contacted Kona; pics, proof of purchase forwarded on. Here's hoping. I'll drop a comment should everything go smoothly. Best regards. Mark.

@ScottyedBike Жыл бұрын

Hello Jem's.. what bad luck it happens to you there with your Kona !!! (already if I can afford your Fat is superb , I love this model, and you have it Super well equipped 😉). after several phone calls with Kona's after-sales service (and given the publicity you made for them with your videos 🎥), I think they will take back your frame as a guarantee, and send you one back, No 🤔?? . I hope it will turn out like this!!! keep us posted on the outcome. courage to you.. the biz of Normandy 👋

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Howdy @Scotty ed Bike! I too hope it turns out for the best. I'll keep you and everyone else posted!! 😊👍✌️

@newfoundland-adventures Жыл бұрын

Im a welder and if Kona should decide that your bike is no longer under warranty I can tell you that any decent welding shop will be able to tig that back together for you fairly easily, quickly, and cheaply. That’s a 5 minute repair for any decent welder. However you will have to get creative when it comes to touching up the paint. Repaint the whole frame would be expensive to get done professionally and very very time consuming as a DIY. Hopefully Kona sorts it out and you don’t have to worry about it at all! Good luck with it!

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks for taking the time to leave this comment with so much information @Newfoundland Adventures! I really do appreciate it very much!!

@SpaceNinja116 Жыл бұрын

Met you again today with my boyfriend. Great to see you!

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed seeing you again as well @SpaceNinja116!! I hope you two enjoyed the movie! 😊✌️

@bikedad7432 Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear about your bike. Hopefully, the situation can be resolved.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks @Bike Dad! I'm hoping the same thing. I guess only time will tell! 😉

@FatTireVanVentures Жыл бұрын

Hopefully they hook you up with a new an improved frame!

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I'm hoping for the same thing @Anthonytony Adventure Channel! Thanks for stopping by!!

@ollilaine3265 Жыл бұрын

Sorry to her Jens, bummer with the crack, I hope your shop takes care of you. We are getting still more snow here in southern Finland, it's been a long long winter. And thanks for sharing, always appreciate your posts sir...

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thank you @Olli Laine! The bike shop (Trailhead Bicycles) I deal with on a regular basis is awesome! They bend over backswords to assist me. I just hope Kona does the same thing. I hope spring arrives soon in southern Finland, especially since winter has been hanging around for so long. 😉

@WestsiderAGRR Жыл бұрын

Really satisfying to clean my bike, usually after 3 to 4 hard rides

@OldManFatBike 11 ай бұрын

A clean bike is a fun bike!!

@mschrum Жыл бұрын

Good luck with the repair Jens. Hopefully you will get it repaired quickly and not miss out on any riding days.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks a bunch @mark schrum!! I hope it gets resolved quickly too! I don't want anything to mess up PedJam 2023!! ✌️🍓

@bassw1758 Жыл бұрын

That's a shame, that's a really nice color.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I feel the same you do @bassw 1. I really 💙 that color too! Thanks for letting me know your thoughts!! 🙌

@stephencampbell8498 Жыл бұрын

Nice Bike! Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 😀

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks @Stephen Campbell! Stay safe up there in Canada 👍✌️

@robertlauterbach1268 Жыл бұрын

I've got the same bike with the same weld crack,but no oil residue from my dropper.please keep me informed with what they'll do for you. I love your content Young man.by the way I'll be 69 next week

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Uh oh, that's not good news @robert lauterbach. Just curious, did you contact Kona about your unfortunate crack issue? I'll do my very best to keep you and everyone else informed about this issue. Thanks so much for being a fan of what I do!! Happiest of Birthday wishes to you Robert!!!! 🎈🎉🎂🍻

@FrugalFitDad Жыл бұрын

I liked your solution for tracking this down with the painters tape. I hope the shop or Kona covers that for you.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thank you @Frugal Fit Dad! I hope for the best turnout as well. Thanks for checking out this video, I also appreciate the comments!!

@Dempsey222 Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear about your bike. Kona should give you a new frame considering all you do to promote their fatbike.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks @John B! I hope Kona lives up to their warranty, I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

@Dempsey222 Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike some companies are better than others at dealing with cracked frames. I never heard about Kona. I hope they do the right thing.

@ElevationEveryWeekend Жыл бұрын

Oh man sorry to hear. Will be curious to see how it gets resolved. I watch the drive side chain stay near the BB on my ICT like a hawk as that’s a common failure on those bikes😐

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thank you @Elevation Every Weekend! I'm very curious to see how this ends as well. I hope you don't run into any issues with your chain stay brother!!

@FATBIKERIDER Жыл бұрын

wow hope you get it sorted for free buddy

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I hope for the same resolution as well @FAT BIKE RIDER!! We shall see what happens!

@stephenmorton8017 Жыл бұрын

i got an old aluminum GT with a cracked head tube for free. a buddy of mine that used to repair CNC machines took it to a shop and the welder removed the head tube, machined another one and welded it back along with another bracing strap like new. if you don't get a new frame, try to find a good aluminum welder. you will need to remove a bit of paint but that repair is a cinch for a tradesman. Kona might do you some justice. considering how well you treat the thing. tell them you want credit to upgrade to Ti.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the great suggestions @Stephen MortonI I like the way you think!! You've given me a lot to think about. Take care and stay safe out there 😊👍✌️

@JustRideZipp2001 Жыл бұрын

Bummer Jens, let's hope for a quick solution to your frame issue.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks brother. I'm hoping for the very same thing @Zipp 2001!

@melbournechugging2999 Жыл бұрын

If Kona will not warranty the frame take it to a place that can weld aluminum

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Hey @Melbourne Chugging, that is something I'm considering! Thank you!!

@TGormania Жыл бұрын

Curious on the outcome of this. Keep us posted. Cheers

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

You and me both, Tim! Will do my best to keep you and everyone else posted @Tim Gorman - Greybeard MTB!!

@stevekorth8476 Жыл бұрын

Hey Jens Whats up with your Bike? Too many stunts? 😁 Greetings and bike on 😎🤘

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Not sure what's going on @Steve Körth?? I guess I just got a bad frame and it took me an aweful long time to realize it! My stunts are mild so we can't blame that!! I hope all is going well for you! 😊

@stevekorth8476 Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike I'm alright. I've now got a second FatBike (E-Fatbike) It's fun to go on long tours with it. 😁

@stevekorth8476 Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike What about a carbon frame? They are more stable and make the bike lighter. Plus carbon rims. You can save a lot of weight there.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Good for you, Steve!! Enjoy that fun easy ride 😊

@BluecollarBackcountry Жыл бұрын

Is it a poop fracture? It's great Kona has a lifetime frame warranty. Maybe there is grease seeping through the crack from coating the outside of the seat post and not a problem with the dropper post.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

"poop fracture", you're killing me Tony! 🤣 There is nothing wrong with the dropper post. I'm just glad I figured out what was causing the oil residue to accumulate in that one location. I'm waiting to see how this ends, I'm confident Kona will do what's right!!

@nicksonsbikeski440 Жыл бұрын

Working in the bike industry for a long time, I can tell you that cracked fat bike frames is nothing new. The interesting part is that they are all cracking in & around the same area. I've cracked one myself, & I've seen quite a few other riders & customers with cracked frames. I think that companies are underestimating the flex & forces being applied to the rear triangle due to the wider stance of the bike. I'm not a frame builder, nor an engineer, but there is some common denominator in why these frames seem to crack up near the seat tube & seat stay junction. Not something I see on non-fat bikes (yes I have seen them there too, but not in the same frequency). I have seen this on multiple manufactures as well, not just Kona (although this is the 3rd Kona I've heard about this season). I have not seen a cracked carbon frame, cro-mo, or Ti, it has only been in alloy frames.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your knowledge @Nickson’s Bike & Ski! I appreciate you taking the time to leave your comments on this subject!! It was a very interesting read for sure and I for one, learned something👍😊

@bradbell4055 Жыл бұрын

You've had that bike over 4 years can't believe it's been long

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I know, right?!? Time does fly @Brad Bell! I hope you're doing well and staying away from the ladies... 😉

@bradbell4055 Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike been staying away from one of them but starting to miss her I'm a woman junky

@bradbell4055 Жыл бұрын

Starting to have withdrawal

@bradbell4055 Жыл бұрын

They are like a bad drug misery with and without them

@bradbell4055 Жыл бұрын

You end up looking for another fatty I'd make you a deal on mine

@josereneducharme142 Жыл бұрын

Having bought 4 Kona bikes over the years, I'm very interested to know the outcome of this. Go get'em!

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I'm just as interested as you are @Jose Rene Ducharme! Kona seems to be on their game and I'm confident it will be resolved.

@randyshanks8077 Жыл бұрын

Bummer man i hope its fixable....

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Yup, it's a bit of a bummer @Randy Shanks! The good thing is I can still ride it. We shall wait and see how this plays out 😉

@FatbikeRepublicNL Жыл бұрын

That just sucks.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Yes, yes it does @Fatbike Republic! I'll have to wait a bit longer to see what happens!!

@weekdaysfatbike781 Жыл бұрын

очень жаль, что это случилось, несмотря на то что kona хороший бренд(

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Да да это @weekdays fat bike! Я понимаю, что всякое бывает, и надеюсь, что Kona решит эту проблему без особых проблем.

@weekdaysfatbike781 Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike удачи, надеюсь производитель пойдет Вам на встречу) будем ждать новые видео)

@OldBumOnABike Жыл бұрын

That's not good at all. At least Kona has good warranties on their frames.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Nope, it's not good @Old Bum On A Bike! I'm confident it will be resolved at this point I just don't know how. 😉

@joeobermeyer3788 Жыл бұрын

Don't ride through cow poop....words to live by

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I'll remember that from this day forward @Joe Obermeyer!! I hope you're doing well 🍻✌️

@wjlimaco Жыл бұрын

Buy new Fat bike .. FAT BOY or Trek Fat Bike

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestions @LAKAT Ni DOi SKi! I hope I don't need to buy a new bike but if I do I'll keep these bikes in mind! 😉

@fatride Жыл бұрын

Bummer about the frame! Most manufactures are good about replacing the frame.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

Thank you @FATRIDE! This is my first rodeo dealing with this sort of issue, I hope it's a painless process!!

@fatride Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike I have had a couple aluminum frames that cracked in the same area. They replaced for free but it took a couple weeks.

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

I can wait, this has been a problem since day one! I can still ride it so that's a good thing. Hey, I featured your channel on my channel!!

@fatride Жыл бұрын

@@OldManFatBike WOW cool thank you! What size frame do you ride?

@OldManFatBike Жыл бұрын

It's a medium, and it seems to be the correct fit. How about you?