break at top tube seat tube weld

[ct biker]

 

Hi,

 

So I have this crack at the seat tube, top tube weld. Does anyone know where/if it can  be repaired? There is movement between the seat tube and top tube so I know its not only just through the paint. I am based in Cape Town

 

 

[Headshot]

Anthem?

[Rocket-Boy]

Anthem?

Was also my guess.

[madbradd]

Anthem?

 

It looks like one. (You can see "TRO" which is the end of "MAESTRO")

 

To the OP - Ask for a warranty claim. Even if you're not the original owner it is a known defect on the Anthems. If you're not the original owner and the frame isn't replaced you may be able to negotiate a discount on a replacement frame.

 

Edit - Added the comment in brackets

[CAAD4]

Just where the seatpost ends?

[ct biker]

Hey madbradd, Yup it is an anthem. I am its second owner. I think is a 2011 model. re a warranty claim, who do I contact in Cape Town?

[Dirt De Vil]

Dragons Sports 021 461 6053

[madbradd]

Hey madbradd, Yup it is an anthem. I am its second owner. I think is a 2011 model. re a warranty claim, who do I contact in Cape Town?

as Dirt De Vil posted - Dragons Sports.

 

Tell them you're second owner but you believe that this is a known problem, how can they help you out. Definitely worth a shot.

[ct biker]

Unfortunately, Dragon Sport says only the original owner can lodge a warranty claim. So back to my original post, does anyone know if this problem can be repaired with welding or reinforcement of some sort and who could do such a repair?

[openmind]

Unfortunately, Dragon Sport says only the original owner can lodge a warranty claim. So back to my original post, does anyone know if this problem can be repaired with welding or reinforcement of some sort and who could do such a repair?

That's just bs. What the hell does it matter that you are the second owner? It's their product and they should support it!

[droo]

That's just bs. What the hell does it matter that you are the second owner? It's their product and they should support it!

 

2 things - 1, its a 2011 frame, so well outside the warranty period. 2, that was almost definitely caused by a seatpost that wasn't inserted far enough.

 

OP - it's toast I'm afraid. Best solution would be to place an ad in the wanted section and see if someone's got a front triangle for you.

 

Edit: Sorry, I see Giant have a lifetime frame warranty for the original owner. Point 1 dead. Point 2 still stands though.

[rudi-h]

Unfortunately, Dragon Sport says only the original owner can lodge a warranty claim. So back to my original post, does anyone know if this problem can be repaired with welding or reinforcement of some sort and who could do such a repair?

 

You can repair it, but be warned that it might not last forever.  Welding causes a "heat affected zone" which weakens the material close to the weld, so multiple welding runs in any joint weakens it further every time that you apply heat.

 

As with the other guys, I guess the crack happened due to a seatpost that didn't go in deep enough.  If you repair the weld really well and you ensure the correct seatpost, you can maybe contain this for another while going forward.

 

A few things:

 

1)  Make sure all the paint is stripped completely at least 5 or 10cm back from the weld.  Very fine sandblasting is likely your best option.

2)  Remove the excess material on the current weld joint with a pencil grinder.

3)  Use a small file to chamfer the crack edges.  This might improve penetration

4)  Clean the area with a solvent (eg acetone) before welding.  Aluminium weld quality is very sensitive to contamination

5)  Get the best Alu welder you can find and ensure they weld with special high-frequency welding machines for aluminium specifically using the TIG process only.  Preheat the surrounding area before welding

6)  The molten material will penetrate into the seat tube, so the seat tube needs to be cleaned carefully so that your seatpost will slide in again.

7)  Good luck.

[madbradd]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/109351-giant-anthem-frame-failure/

 

Anthems have a known issue for failing at that spot - So I don't think it's fair to say that it was definitely caused by not inserting the seatpost far enough.

 

Again at the OP - did Dragons offer you a discount on a replacement frame? Did you ask? I would push hard for that if I were you.

 

Had a similar issue with a Kona Kula. I was the original owner and sold it to a mate after about 3 years. Bike had a 5 year warranty for original owner. Just after the 5 year period it failed in the same place yours did. They offered my mate a serious discount on replacement frame which then came with a lifetime warranty for him.

[Rouxenator]

I cracked a GT there as well as two Giant Talons : https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/157290-frame-replacement-how-long-can-it-take/ 

[dave303e]

that can be welded by an aluminium welding specialist, get the person to make up som extra bracing and then you good to go. 

I don't know anyone in the cape, but Tigco Tech in Centurion has fixed akuminium motorbike swingarms for me a few times and they come back strong

[Headshot]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/109351-giant-anthem-frame-failure/

 

Anthems have a known issue for failing at that spot - So I don't think it's fair to say that it was definitely caused by not inserting the seatpost far enough.

 

Again at the OP - did Dragons offer you a discount on a replacement frame? Did you ask? I would push hard for that if I were you.

 

Had a similar issue with a Kona Kula. I was the original owner and sold it to a mate after about 3 years. Bike had a 5 year warranty for original owner. Just after the 5 year period it failed in the same place yours did. They offered my mate a serious discount on replacement frame which then came with a lifetime warranty for him.

Agree - that Anthem TT is very thin at the join with the ST. No bracing. Poor design by Giant and even poorer response from agent. To see how it should have been done look at an "old" Morewood Zula. It'll never break there...