Chinese bike warranties compared: lifetime to two years, and the conditions that decide them
Frame warranties from Chinese brands run from two years to lifetime, and the conditions matter as much as the length. X-LAB's lifetime cover needs registration within 90 days; Tavelo and Elves cover only the original buyer; Winspace's three years start when the frame arrives, LightCarbon's two years when it ships; and LightCarbon pays shipping on a warranty replacement only in the first six months. X-LAB is the only one of the six that states a term for a second owner.
Six brands' terms side by side
These are the terms on each brand's own policy page on the date shown. A dealer's invoice can add to them, and the brand's page is the place to check for changes:
| Brand (page checked) | Frame | Who is covered | Shipping, labor and crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-LAB (3 Nov 2026) | Lifetime if registered within 90 days, otherwise 2 years; bars, stems, seatposts, alloy wheels and paint 2 years | Original owner; a second owner gets 2 years on frame and fork | Labor, shipping and service fees may apply; crashes and competitive use excluded |
| Tavelo (23 Sep 2026) | Lifetime on the frameset; paint and decals 1 year | Original purchaser from Tavelo or an authorized dealer | Not stated |
| Elves (23 Sep 2026) | 5 years on frame defects; parts 1 year | Original owner, not transferable, with proof of purchase | Not stated |
| Winspace (22 Oct 2026) | Framesets 3 years, wheelsets 2 years, from arrival at the buyer | Original buyer, not transferable | Not stated; unused items returnable within 14 days |
| ICAN, GRARO page (1 Sep 2026) | 2 years | Not stated | Not stated |
| LightCarbon (5 Nov 2026) | 2 years on all carbon parts, from shipment | Crash discount for the first buyer only | LightCarbon pays shipping in the first 6 months; duty, tax and labor never; one-time 10% crash discount |
What the differences change
Resale. X-LAB states a second-owner term of two years on frame and fork. Elves and Winspace say their cover does not transfer and Tavelo covers the original purchaser, so a second owner of those frames has no warranty under these policies. The used-bike guide applies this to second-hand prices.
The clock and the shipping. LightCarbon counts two years from the day the package ships, Winspace from arrival, so a slow delivery uses up part of LightCarbon's term. LightCarbon pays shipping for a replacement only within six months and never pays duty, tax or workshop labor, and X-LAB says labor, shipping and service fees may apply: a free replacement frame can still cost a return shipment, import charges and a rebuild.
Registration, racing and crashes. X-LAB's lifetime term needs registration within 90 days, and its exclusions include competitive use unless otherwise specified. LightCarbon offers its first buyer a one-time 10% discount on a crash replacement within two years; X-LAB excludes crash damage, and the other pages checked here do not mention crash replacement. ICAN's GRARO page gives only the two-year length.
Spare parts are a purchase, not a claim
When you buy, ask for the part numbers of the hanger, seatpost clamp or wedge, headset cover and any proprietary cockpit hardware, and keep the ordering route. A seller who offers to sell you a part has not accepted a warranty claim; Winspace's return policy and its warranty, for example, are separate documents. Use the spare-parts shipping checklist for a delivered quote.
If you suspect structural damage, stop riding until the frame has been assessed. The pre-service evidence guide lists what to photograph and keep before anyone works on it.
Sources
Source review began . Research methodology.