Cracked paint on carbon frame

Al bike frames arent preheated before welding, at least not the mass produced ones. Contacting all the local bike shops no one knew how or was willing to fix the frame. I have no idea what caused it ive never crashed, i havent dropped the bike or knocked it over or dropped anything on it. And then i thought surely the carbon has flexed enough for it to cause this crack as well, which cant be good. My friends sisterinlaw ran his brothers brandnew, weekold giant defy advanced into the top of the garage while it was mounted on the cars roofrack. So either i ride it more next year and wait for it to get worse, or strip frame and pay shipping to giant with possibility crack is only in paint. Cheers for the reply, i think it looks like cracked paint too, but then i read elsewhere that they use elastic paint thats bonded straight to the frame so it shouldnt crack. Apr 30, 2010 its probably worthwhile to scrape a little paint off touching it up afterward to see if the frame is cracked underneath. Take a look through any secondhand bike site and youll find pages of late model carbon frames with cracks, broken seatstays, and crushed. Cracked carbon specialist carbon composite bike frame. Broken carbon is the premier carbon fiber composite bike frame repair location. If you do need to get that missing chip put back somehow, youll want to find a credible repair shop. Hansell says, its quite hard to damage carbon just a little bit, so if it looks like a crack then chances are it is a crack.

They have offered a 2011 514 as an upgrade for it with carbon back end. Seems an odd place to crack on its own note it goes round the inside of the angle a bit. Help carbon frame crack or just paint crack forums. Its really not fragile, otherwise carbon mountain bikes wouldnt be a thing or 20 year old carbon bikes still going strong if you go ultra high end, lets take a canyon ultimate for example, some of the tubes can be under a mm thick. What youre looking for is not visibly cracked anymore. Finally, do not bake a carbon frame at over 150 degrees fahrenheit baking is often used in painting metal frames as that will damage it, too. I can not tell if crack is only in paint or actually in the aluminum.

Oct 24, 2011 broken carbon will do small, singlecolor paint touchups and clearcoat work, but isnt a paint shop. Some carbon bikes are notorious for cosmetic paint cracks at joints. Carbon bike repair carbon frame repair the project junkie. Thats not to say that the frames are fragile, because they really arent at least p2s and p3s arent, but a small ding in the outer layer could be an indication of fiber failure below the surface, or it could just be a cosmetic issue. I have since done extensive research and reading on the subject too late i know so i know i should get a torque rench and be more careful but my main concern at this stage is how bad this crack.

Chipped paint on my carbon frame help im also ocd with my bikes finish and currently doing a repair job on one of my bikes as well. If it was new with fresh paint or carbon visible id. Unfortunately, designing a carbon bike frame to be indestructible would make it uselessly heavy. However, carbon has its own peculiarities that set it apart and make it trickier to assess. Never use a chemical stripper on a carbon frame because it will damage the epoxy resin coating the frame and holding it together. Pretty much anything can be repaired, he says, noting that the process of layering carbon, compressing the frame, and curing the new material is similar to the way new carbon bikes are made. If the frame is cracking then the gap would possibly grow in width as it lengthens. Received a frame yesterday and on inspection today found a series of thin cracks around the top tubeseat tube joint integrated seat tube. If its simply the lacquer which has come off then you can replace it with the lacquer from a car touch up kit. Ive had a crack in the top tube of my scott addict, which looked more dramatic than what your photo shows, and subsequently had it repaired. Apr 23, 2006 yeah, from where you are, the shipping is definitely a factor. Nearly every carbon fiber frame can be repaired no matter how severe the damage.

Also, the elasticity of carbon fibre is usually less than the. All in all, the only true way to be able to tell whether the carbon is structurally damaged is to have a repair shop do an ultrasound or something else as. Specialized tarmac cracked carbon frame warranty replacement. Appleman bicycles can repair your damaged, broken, busted, or cracked carbon fiber frame. An impact to a carbon frame can cause unseen damage to the link between the resin and fibres resulting in a larger failure waiting to happen without warning. I would be looking at returning it as you dont know if it will get worse in the future especially as its a press fit bb, a tight fitting cup may put additional stress on the crack. Cyclingtips podcast, paint cracks, tyre rub and a broken chain. Carbon repair, this is one of the services we offer at predator cycling. On the topside of the bottom bracket,drive side there is a very small hairline crack in the paint. Ive been fixing carbon fiber for over 10 years and have a deep understanding of advanced composite structure repair.

I would encourage you to find a carbon frame fabricator that is closer to you and have them take a look. Carbon usually has a very crisp sound to it when tapped and when its damaged the tone changes completely, says john hansell of yorkshirebased fibrelyte, which offers a full inspection and repair service for carbon frames. If you go look at his images youll see that they look a lot like yours. Giant said not to scratch paint off or warranty is void. Thus, when riders come to us for their bicycles custom paint job, occasionally some inquire about sanding the paint down to raw carbon fiber, with the idea of leaving it exposed. It is probably the most stressed point on any bike frame, apart from the forks. I found this possible crack on my 2011 giant trance x frame. Cracked carbon canada started off in 2016 when one of the founders had crashed their carbon bike frame thinking repairing it wasnt an option and it would have to be replaced with a new frame. The paint on carbon frames is extremely thick and brittle, carbon flexes and eventually you get hairline cracks appearing. Despite its strength, carbon fiber is a fairly brittle material and some excessive or focused impacts can cause carbon to crack. If you see them try flexing the frame and seeing if the crack widens. Also, the elasticity of carbon fibre is usually less than the paint, so if the paint is cracked, theres a high chance theres been some kind of trauma to the carbon too.

Take a quarter and tap it gently around the chipif you hear a difference in the sound like a dullness from other parts of the frame, then youll likely need to repair the carbon. I just wanted you to know that your frame can be fixed if it is cracked. How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint just. I have a small crack in the seat tube of my current bike. How do you tell the difference between an actual crack. If a crack appears, a frame should be retired for safety. Giant warrants for the original owner only the frame, rigid fork, or original component parts of each new giant brand bicycle to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the following specified periods.

I have been offered a replacement frame under warranty for my cracked 2011 314 zesty. Likely just the paint since white has to be put on super thick to look bright on a black carbon frame and paint is quite brittle. Ive been to my lbs at that time not where i bought the bike and they thought it was paint and safe to ride. Jul 29, 2015 according to this diy carbon fiber repair kit we stumbled across, cracks and abrasions in your frame are quick and easy repairs to do at home. Get a small paint brush and paint a thin layer on to the chip. Wheels warrantied for life every set of bontrager carbon wheels comes with a lifetime warranty against defects. Plus, theyre backed by the carbon care wheel loyalty program, which offers free replacement or repair to the original owner for wheels that sustain damage within the first two years of ownership and deeply discounted replacement regardless of the date of purchase. In the china carbon thread someone posted a picture of his bike after he was hit by a car. Looks like a paint crack, but the best way to check is to tap the frame with something metal like a coin or screwdriver blade and listen for a change in the sound as you move over the crack. Frame crack or just paint stress singletrack magazine. A cracked carbon frame or a damaged wheelset does not have to keep you off the road for long. Just over a year later, i discovered a crack in the top tube while i was cleaning the bike.

When companies leave it exposed on a frame, theres a sleekness added to the bike. Carbon fiber bike frame repair rialto, california dons bicycles. Aug 19, 20 videos can be found on youtube showing how to repair the frame. How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint just has stress. Seal your paint with a thin, even layer of clear coat designed to be compatible with epoxy paint, for a longerlasting finish.

Carbon fibre has a reputation of being a bit fragile, but thats far from the truth, finds margot mcgovern picture courtesy of paint my bike. Condor touch up paints are supplied with an integrated brush. Is this a paint issue the paint is thick and brittle or should i be scared. Her cervelo p2 had a crack on the frame that i was 99. Unfortunately it looks cracked to me starting from the imperfection in the carbon. Ive cracked a rocy mountain carbon frame near the pivot area.

A small crack or defect on the carbon frame is not a total loss. My buddy bought a kona mountain bike on craigslist and a few days after getting home he realized it is cracked. Video demonstrating where the paint is cracked on this 04 usps tt bike for craigslist sale. Oct 22, 2016 if a carbon frame cracks from fatigue, it shows small crack in the paint.

Cracked aluminum bike any clever ideas for a temporary fix. Carbon monocoque frames dont usually crack from the outside, in. How to repair a carbon bike frame at home singletracks. Specialized tarmac cracked carbon frame warranty replacement and upgrade must watch, dt swiss wheel. The failure modes of carbon are such that there can either be minor or major indication of some sort of trouble spot on the frame. The paint doesnt flex, or doesnt deal with flex, as well as the carbon so it cracks over time. We want you riding your bike as much and as safely as you can, so we make it easy to replace a damaged carbon frame or part through trek carbon care.

On this channel we show marketing free, real information about the bikes that you ride. It is unlikely your carbon would crack like that on a seam, because the seam should overlap, its not joined like a metal weld. Carbon care is a program exclusive to trek owners that offers riders significant discounts on replacements for damaged carbon fiber frames, forks, and parts. Another frame vs paint crack question i first notice those cracks two years ago and cant say its getting worse. They build stress and begin to separate from the inside out hidden from sight. We take a strong hands on approach to high end carbon racing bicycles, carbon components, and carbon fiber frame repair. Well strip down your bike if you ship us your complete bike, make the carbon fiber repair, repaint, rebuild your bike, and well send you pics when were done. The challenge with most bike repair is matching finish colors accurately and that just takes experience, but with a little practice you can come close. Warranty of lifetime for the bicycle frame, except on models intended for downhill purposes. Years ago when i was a famous bicycle mechanic i had a customer with one of the first cannondale dualsuspension mtbs w the carbon. On metal frames an alcohol such as nail varnish remover will clean away the grease and paint flakes.

Carbon fiber bike frame repair rialto, california dons. While metal and carbon frames can show similar signs of damage like cracks and gouges, carbon will not show damage as a dent or bend. Broken carbon will do small, singlecolor paint touchups and clearcoat work, but isnt a paint shop. The paint polish will crack when there is separation on the skin of the frame. Dear fellow riders, this is my first post here please be kind i got my first ever carbon bike a coupe of weeks ago and i guess i cracked the seat tube by over tightening the seat post. Cracked carbon specialist carbon composite bike frame repairer. Tap the crack and the area around it with a hard object wrench or coin and listen for changes in sound. Carbon bicycle and component care trek bicycle store. Carbon fibre repair carbon bike development pty ltd. Carbon fiber bike frame repair rialto, california don.

Crack in paint on carbon frame better pics bikeradar. Wheels of bloor in toronto, took care of everything and she got the new frame in 4 days, if i remember correctly. Hi all, i was cycling last week and unfortunately my chain and rear mech broke off and smacked into my carbon frame chipped away a small portion of the paint. How to repair chipped bicycle paint work condor cycles. Backed by bachelors and masters degrees in engineering as well as over a decade of professional cycling experience we can get your bike back on the road or trail in no time. If you find any crack anywhere, stop riding the bike. Our carbon repairs are performed in the worlds most advanced carbon bike hospital. Well fix your frame and even paint the repaired section with a 26 week turnaround. How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint just has stress cracks. All it takes is a deep paint chip or a little mudwater to get inside the frame. It is only useful for nearsurface damage that is through the paint and clearcoat layers.

I started my career building and repairing windturbine. She asked the dealership about it and they said they will give her a new frame regardless. Crack suddenly appeared above the rear axle dropout on one of my bikes. Cracked carbon canada repairing everything carbon fiber. How to tell if a carbon frame is damaged or if the paint. Care of bicycles and components frames and forks its impossible to bend carbon frames, so never try to stretch or compress the frame to change the spacing. Im wondering how many people with carbon frames have had problems with cracks. Hope you didnt get it from china and need to return it. Movement, because a crack will flex if its through the paint into the carbon, and you put pressure on the center of the crack, and time, because a crack will grow with time if its more than paint. We safely repair and warranty thousands of fractures and paint damage to new. If there is little damage, differentiate between scratch, tear cut and paint chips, depending on. All in all, the only true way to be able to tell whether the carbon is structurally damaged is to have a repair shop do an ultrasound or something else as equally fancy on the frame. Now that you know how long the crack is, watch whether it grows. It is at the seatpost but inside the triangle and in the bottom if the top tube.

You should question using nail varnish on carbon bikes as there are reports that the chemical format can degrade the resins used to bond carbon fibre. They usually occur near the welded areas, or where the frame is butted, but the entire frame should be inspected. If you want a perfectly matching paint job or decals, its best to take the repaired frame. The seller states that it has been there for two years. A cracked carbon frame or a damaged wheelset does not have to keep you off. If you are repairing a carbon frame you must use isopropyl alcohol available from maplin this alcohol wont degrade plastics like carbon. One way of eliminating either would be tapping the frame in a certain way but it takes a carbon expert to hear whether or not its cracked. Markus storck, lead engineer and owner of german carbon frame powerhouse storck bicycles, told me at a conference about 3 months ago that the best ways to tell if a frame is cracked are. Nov 24, 2015 fix a cracked steel bike frame result well time will tell.

Mar 21, 2017 specialized tarmac cracked carbon frame warranty replacement and upgrade must watch, dt swiss wheel. If a carbon frame cracks from fatigue, it shows small crack in the paint. Cracked paint on carbon trek frame lugs john kaufmann. I started my career building and repairing windturbine blades before moving on to aerospace and then bikes. If you are even halfway concerned with a crack, dont buy the frame. Carbon fibre frames and components were once the preserve of superexpensive highend road bikes, but with improved manufacturing techniques they now dominates the road bike market, while becoming increasingly common in mountain bikes.

Sep 02, 2009 whatever the material, there are many things to look out for when buying a secondhand bike. A paint crack can only occur when subjected to extremes of temperature. Cracked carbon can repair your damaged or broken carbon bicycle frame. If youve discovered a hairline crack on your carbon frame, is it the paint or a ruined frame. There seems to be an accumulation of longterm dirt in the crack, which would tell me it was quite longestablished.