Definitely worth taking it in to get it assessed for warranty. I know a few people that have had a similar issue in the same headset area with Enduro frames and they have all been warrantied. One person twice with the same fault on the warrantied frame.
If they cover it under warranty and not crash replacement, they will likely give you a new frame. Cant guarantee that of course but worth a try. I wouldn't be happy with repair. There is no way they could guarantee it was structurally sound.
Have you modified the front end of the bike that would cause additional stress to the area? I would be surprised if you were running a angle set in an evo unless you were trying to steepen the headtube angle!
Definitely worth taking it in to get it assessed for warranty. I know a few people that have had a similar issue in the same headset area with Enduro frames and they have all been warrantied. One person twice with the same fault on the warrantied frame.
If they cover it under warranty and not crash replacement, they will likely give you a new frame. Cant guarantee that of course but worth a try. I wouldn't be happy with repair. There is no way they could guarantee it was structurally sound.
Have you modified the front end of the bike that would cause additional stress to the area? I would be surprised if you were running a angle set in an evo unless you were trying to steepen the headtube angle!
no angle set of any kind, bike is run in high setting as is 160MM travel on the front end, although with a 44mm offset.
Took the bike to specialised concept store Rutland cycles.
they were very helpful, process was fairly quick and they booked it in for a warranty assessment.
As it was a frame only purchase, if it does get replaced i have to pay £150 for the labour of reassembly as specialised wont release a frame only replacement unless its rebuilt by an authorised dealer, so its a no on rebuilding myself.
i'm very meticulous with this bike, as i say i ride it hard but i maintain it very well and never take chances with loose and and unchecked stuff, no chance the headtube was ever loose enough to cause this damage, id have noticed right away.
encouraging that others have had similar issues in terms of being resolved ammicably
having said that i do have a feeling specialised will try to say that its improper installation thats the cause. seems like an easy out for them, but i'll try to stay hopeful for a decent resolution.
Well that sounds like a good outcome. I didn't see the photos you originally put up, they aren't working anymore. Id be interested to see the crack as I have the 29er pro version and have been keeping a close eye on this area.
Also good it will come with a shock too. They will likely just give you the 22 frameset which comes with a Float X shock and the carbon linkage. Good upgrade and they are a nice colour too.
here's the damage, the store showed me the specialized reply and they didnt really question it at all i think the shop did a good job of taking pictures and explaining.
to my knowledge the S works frame they send out as warranty replacements are made specifically for that purpose and are coloured gloss black with white decals to differentiate them from retail frames. i've seen a fair few enduro warranty frames like this (i think they did a raspberry colour one at one point). fingers crossed for the Float X and carbon linkage as you say.