Bike manufacturer Minerva Cycling goes bankrupt: am I still entitled to statutory warranty?

Anyone who has bought a Minerva bike elsewhere is out of luck. Since it is not the manufacturer, but the seller who is responsible for the legal warranty. Many retailers now have to find ways to continue repairing damages or defects within the statutory two-year warranty period.

One of them is Hobo. The DIY series still offers bikes from the brand. “Customers who have bought or are going to buy a Minerva bike from us need not worry,” says Marketing Director Joris Bockx. “We respect the full warranty period. For certain types, we give a warranty of 3 or 4 years. We have enough spare parts and everything runs as usual.”

Many listeners told “WinWin” that they bought their bike through HLN’s online store. Brand bikes are still for sale there. Parent company DPG Media is also the direct seller and is therefore responsible for the warranty. “We have a partnership with FSNplus. Customers can contact them for repairs or replacements covered by the warranty,” spokesman An Goovaerts said.

Things are different at Decathlon: the chain offers its website as a platform for third-party sellers to sell their products. “Minerva sold the products through us, but the actual sales and shipping were done directly by them,” explains company spokeswoman Julie Nevigan. “As the seller, they are also responsible for the warranty.” Customers who bought a bike in this way no longer receive a legal warranty. “Although we always want to help our customers and can look on a case by case basis on how to resolve any issues with the bike.”