Is My Frame Cracked

[(Deon)]

Please update us with the outcome?

of him riding it like that?

[Witkop]

If the warranty does not replace the frame, it is plastic so consider epoxy resin. Dremel out the crack to the surface of the carbon, then use an epoxy to fill the groove and sand flush. The worst that can then happen is the crack comes back, but as the frame was a write off anyway, so no real loss.

[ThePubSA]

looks like a scratch , .. all the carbon cracks ive ever seen,cause jagged cracks in the paint... havent seen it crack as straight and clean as alu.. Altough it might not be that drastic a crack yet ..

[Capricorn]

agreed on the lack of stress raisers in that vicinity. it's highly unusual for a crack to appear in the middle of no where. Even if the bottom bracket comprises to half-shells glued together, the whole seam would crack, not just one spot of it. I still would hedge on that being a scratch, despite the fact that carbon could very well crack in that fashion, unlike metal, which is composed of a multitude of crystals with associated crystal boundaries. In that instance, cracks tend to appear in jagged patterns as it grows along crystal boundaries.

In composite materials, the fibers are aligned in layers, but each layer is unidirectional. Some carbon fiber lay-ups are unique according to how best the designer feels to achieve the design goals, but more often than not, the crack will appear along a single direction in line with the lay up. a very high strength failure however, can result in jagged cracks as multiple layers of lay up fail, but the item will exhibit symptoms of gross mechanical failure: unusual compliance, squeaking/grinding noises etc.

 

long story short, a scratch, but i would rank another option a close 2nd: a crack in the paint, but no crack in the carbon.Only way to check is to scrape off more paint around one section of the crack, and have a look at the carbon.

 

Anyone know if this model TCR has any cracking issues around the same area on the BB?

[funjunkie]

Please update us with the outcome?

of him riding it like that?

 

So just an update.

 

After praying to the cycling gods, making sure my medical aid was paid up and that I wore my best helmet, I rode the Berg and Dale today. (I should have also prayed for more cycling talent and better endurance as well, but that's for another day.)

 

I suspect the frame is toast. After the ride, the original crack looks more prominent and there is a second one parallel to the original one.

 

I will take to my LBS and see what happens on Monday.

 

Attached below is the new picture taken after my race.

 

[Shangri la]

Sh*t you not winning there. Not sure if it is the pic, but it looks wider than the original postings.

[DJR]

Bend the chainstays apart and see if you can detect movement or widening of the crack. If you can see it moving, it can only be a crack. Get a warranty frame replacement, through the shop you bought it from. If you are not the original owner, then get a carbon repair expert to look at it and repair if advised.

[Larry King]

I dunno, hardly a stress point... looks like a scratch. I've fixed for you.

 

 

What a job....

[funjunkie]

So just some feedback.

Took my bike to Westdene Cycles this am.

As luck would have it, the rep from Giant was at the store.

He looked at the crack, pulled the chainstays apart and confirmed that the frame was cracked.

Photos were taken and emailed to "Head office"

The frame will hopefully get replaced under warantee within the next couple of days.

 

Its now a race against time to get my bike back before the "Ride for Sight."

The Giant rep and the Bike shop recon it can be replaced in time. Time will tell, otherwise I may be the guy trying to keep up with the bunch on my trusted old 26" MTB.

Edited February 10, 2014 by funjunkie

[Prozac]

good luck !

[(Deon)]

good luck !

 

..with what, trying to keep up with the bunch on his trusted old 26" MTB?

[funjunkie]

So Just and update.

 

My frame was replaced under warantee.

A big thank you to Fareed from Westdene cycles.

The cracked frame needed to go to Cape Town to be assessed at Head office.

The old frame was a 2012 frame and was replaced by a 2013 frame. :clap:

I was not charged a cent by Westdene Cycles to have the components taken off the old frame and put onto the new frame. :clap:

I needed to nag the Giant rep as well as Westdene Cycles a bit, but overall, I give kudos to all parties involved. Took 10 days from giving the old frame in to getting the new one.

 

 

My "New" steed

Edited February 21, 2014 by funjunkie

[funjunkie]

double post

Edited February 21, 2014 by funjunkie

[Mojoman]

So Just and update.

 

My frame was replaced under warantee.

A big thank you to Fareed from Westdene cycles.

The cracked frame needed to go to Cape Town to be assessed at Head office.

The old frame was a 2012 frame and was replaced by a 2013 frame. :clap:

I was not charged a cent by Westdene Cycles to have the components taken off the old frame and put onto the new frame. :clap:

I needed to nag the Giant rep as well as Westdene Cycles a bit, but overall, I give kudos to all parties involved. Took 10 days from giving the old frame in to getting the new one.

 

 

My "New" steed

Big plus on your bike shop not charging you to swop over parts as well.

[funjunkie]

Big plus on your bike shop not charging you to swop over parts as well.

 

Totally agree. Thumbs up to Wesdtdene Cycles. :thumbup:

Edited February 21, 2014 by funjunkie

[DJR]

Totally agree. Thumbs up to Wesdtdene Cycles. :thumbup:

 

Agreed, take them a nice thank you gift before end of business today and they'll look after you and your bikes forever!