Possible cracked headtube

[JuliBoB]

I am not sure about the second owners coverage.....BUT trek is discontinuing the Stache and no new release for 2021. I am also a Stache owner and I joined a Stache Facebook group, with 99% Yanks on the page   They (members) confirmed a few weeks ago that Trek US confirmed the line has been discontinued.

 

I am aware (via TrekSA webpage) that they still have Carbon Stache Frames available in SA   Hopefully they will be able to assist/replace. Also, it would help if you could liaise with the original/first owner, if you can? Think it would help with the replacement.

Edited September 7, 2020 by JuliBoB

[TyronLab]

Could be a Paint Crack but if it's not.

If you cannot get it fixed under warranty try.

http://www.smartcoprojects.co.za/

Steve Fixed my Seat Tube Better Than New.

If it was in an inconspicuous, low risk area I'd consider it. But I'd be too nervous to weld repair a highly stressed, precision machined and toleranced item like a headtube.

 

Dumb question for the day, how would the paint crack if the thing under it doesn't crack?

I would assume that the substrate item stretches elastically beyond the elastic limit of the paint. Extreme example would be painting a rubber band.

 

Don't know enough about the Young's Modulus for paint or what the specific grade of Aluminum is to figure it out.

 

I am not sure about the second owners coverage.....BUT trek is discontinuing the Stache and no new release for 2021. I am also a Stache owner and I joined a Stache Facebook group, with 99% Yanks on the page They (members) confirmed a few weeks ago that Trek US confirmed the line has been discontinued.

I am aware (via TrekSA webpage) that they still have Carbon Stache Frames available in SA Hopefully they will be able to assist/replace. Also, it would help if you could liaise with the original/first owner, if you can? Think it would help with the replacement.

Yeah, that's one of my concerns. The Stache is pretty scarce, which is partly why I love it so much. I've only seen one other one out in the wild. But it makes the warranty a bit of an unknown. I very much doubt there are many, if any, spare frames lying around in stock somewhere, regardless of type.

 

I'm not looking for a free upgrade, doing this as a personal safety matter.

 

Also makes it tough seeing as the 29x3.0" wheels won't fit in a standard frame, so its not like they can give me an Xcaliber / Marlin / Roscoe instead. Only other frame that can work is the Full Stache, but those are even less popular.

 

Luckily had great dealings with the original owner and he's already agreed to assist if need be. Last resort is trying to recoup a replacement frame from Discovery Insure.

Edited September 7, 2020 by TyronLab

[Quagga]

Dumb question for the day, how would the paint crack if the thing under it doesn't crack?

The thing under the paint sometime flexes and paint does not

[Danger Dassie]

Best bet is to make contact with Trek ZA, they have a good reputation with frame warranties or assisting where possible.

[DJR]

more like the dutch version of cat hair...  

Too straight  

[MORNE]

Too straight  

...but not too dry or damaged right?

[Butterbean]

Dumb question for the day, how would the paint crack if the thing under it doesn't crack?

Well, depending on many things, but since metal can be quite flexible when you need it to be, it's possible for the metal to flex, while the paint cracks. Car paint applied badly or mixed incorrectly with hardener can have this happen very quickly, while you'll be hard pressed to find a vehicle panel that cracks of its own accord...

 

So it's not Likely. It's not common. But it's very possible.

[TyronLab]

Got some feedback from the shop. They stripped out the fork / headset, didn't find anything on the inside of the headtube. Mechie did say the lower bearing was a bit rough and dry, and there was some grit between the bearing and the race. Cleaned it all up and regreased the bearing, seems all good.

 

It'll have to wait for an off-road ride this weekend but so far so good!