At Echelon Cycling Hub, we maintain our fleet to the highest professional standards to ensure your ride on Mallorca is flawless and safe. To ensure full transparency, we clearly distinguish between acceptable Normal Wear & Tear and Incident / Crash Damage.
Below is a detailed guide with real-world examples to help you understand how bike conditions are assessed upon return.
1. Normal Wear and Tear (No Charge)
We understand that riding a bicycle on roads, navigating transport, and using bike racks naturally creates minor surface marks. As long as these are purely cosmetic and do not stem from an impact or crash, you will not be charged.
Examples of Normal Wear & Tear:
- Frame & Fork: Light surface scuffs from cable rub, small paint chips on the underside of the down tube caused by gravel/stone debris during normal riding.
- Transportation & Storage: Minor, non-penetrating surface marks on the frame, fork, or wheels from rubberized car racks or standard hotel bike storage hangers.
- Drivetrain & Components: Normal chain, cassette, and brake pad wear from regular riding.
- Wheels: Minor surface dust or faint cosmetic scuffs on rims that do not affect carbon integrity.
- Tyres: Minor tire tread wear, standard punctures, and small, non-structural cosmetic tire cuts resulting from normal road riding are classified as acceptable wear and tear.
Key Rule: If the mark is purely a surface blemish from routine handling and does not impair the component's functionality, structure, or clear coat finish, it falls under Normal Wear & Tear.
2. Incident, Structural & Crash Damage (Renter Liable)
Any damage resulting from a crash, fall, drop, collision, improper mounting/transportation, or contact with asphalt/rough surfaces is classified as Incident Damage. The renter is responsible for covering repair or replacement costs (plus labor) unless protected by an active echelon Protect+ plan.
In addition, severe damage to components or frames incurs a 10% depreciation fee based on the item's retail value (MSRP/PVP) to account for commercial value loss.
Examples of Incident & Crash Damage:
- Saddles: Scratched, scraped, or torn outer material on the sides or rear of the saddle caused by asphalt contact after a fall or leaning against abrasive walls.
- Dual Control Levers / STI Shifters: Scratched, gouged, bent, or broken shifter bodies, faceplates, or rubber hoods resulting from impact or sliding.
- Handlebars & Bar Tape: Scratched carbon/alloy handlebar ends or torn/scuffed handlebar tape from a drop or fall.
- Derailleurs & Hangers: Scratched or gouged rear/front derailleur bodies, bent cage plates, or bent/snapped derailleur hangers caused by right-side crashes or drops.
- Pedals: Gouged, scraped, or bent pedal bodies/spindles from pedal strikes or falls.
- Frame, Fork & Structural Integrity: Deep scratches penetrating the clear coat, gouges, carbon fiber cracks, delamination, or frame tube deformation.
- Wheels: Cracks, severe true misalignment, rim gouges, or structural carbon damage.
- Tyres: sidewall impact tears/casing damage from collisions/heavy impacts
Summary Comparison
Saddle
- Normal Wear & Tear (Included): Faint logo fading from riding friction
- Incident / Crash Damage (Charged): Torn material, scraped edges, or bent rails
Shifters / Levers
- Normal Wear & Tear (Included): Light finger touch wear on rubber hoods
- Incident / Crash Damage (Charged): Scratched faceplates, cracked levers, or scraped hoods
Frame / Fork
- Normal Wear & Tear (Included): Minor stone chips on down tube / cable rub
- Incident / Crash Damage (Charged): Carbon cracks, deep gouges, clear coat fractures
Derailleurs
- Normal Wear & Tear (Included): Standard dirt or chain grease marks
- Incident / Crash Damage (Charged): Scratched parallelogram, bent cage, bent hanger
Handlebars
- Normal Wear & Tear (Included): Normal tape discoloration from hands
- Incident / Crash Damage (Charged): Torn handlebar tape, gouged ends, cracked carbon
Pedals
- Normal Wear & Tear (Included): Minor cleat engagement marks
- Incident / Crash Damage (Charged): Deep gouges on outer edges from asphalt contact
How Charges Are Calculated
If your bike sustains Incident / Crash Damage without an active echelon Protect+ coverage:
- Replacement / Repair Cost: Calculated using the official manufacturer retail price (MSRP/PVP) for the affected component or frame section.
- Technical Labor: Applied at standard shop labor rates for diagnostic and installation work.
- Depreciation Surcharge (10%): For severe component damage, a 10% surcharge of the MSRP/PVP is applied to cover the loss of the bike's commercial re-rent / resale value.
To avoid unexpected repair costs, we strongly recommend adding our echelon Protect+ coverage to your rental booking.
