Is my frame cracked/cracking??

[jugheaddave]

H Guys

 

Please take a look at these pictures. This is a Schwinn Fastback elite.

 

The pictures are take were the carbon (seat stay?) meets the aluminum down tube.

 

This little crack seem to be getting bigger and bigger. (you can see were I marked it originally with a red permanent marker.)

 

Is this a paint defect or is this possibly the aluminum/carbo join breaking??

 

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs022.snc1/3067_76456271075_591936075_2191481_2165289_n.jpg

 

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs022.snc1/3067_76456266075_591936075_2191480_5529829_n.jpg

 

[brussel]

not sure how they are joined together, but it could be a slight flex at that point or perhaps different expansion rates at different temperatures that have caused a crack in the paint.

 

But I would take it to whoever you bought it from - I'd be a little concerned that it is in fact a crack

 

[jugheaddave]

I will call the Schwinn guys

[FrancoisO]

looks like only a paint crack, but phone the Swinn Guys

[Pro-Funrider]

Jughead D, I met up with the ground three months ago because of a faulty crank/bottom bracket.?

If I where you, I would take it in for a checkup!?

[jugheaddave]

I am a little worried of it breaking while I am rideng

[Johan Bornman]

You need someone who can do a penetrative dye test for you. Ideally the frame needs to be manipulated whilst doing the test so that you can see if it is pumping fluid in the crack.

 

I can't quite figure out where the crack is, since the downtube doesn't meet the seatstay and I can't figure out what that shiny metal part is on the left of the tube.

 

Just so that we all speak the same dialect:

Top tube goes from the seatpost collar to the head tube.

Head tube houses the fork steerer.

Downtube goes from the head tube to the BB.

Seat tube goes from BB to seatpost collar.

Seat stays go from seatpost collar to rear drop-outs and

Chainstays go from BB to rear drop-outs.

 

 

[SPANIED]

I have one of those bikes, beautiful, and no cracks even though i really ride it hard, but get an informed opinion from a mechanic,hope its not a crack,cos that bike is good.Good luck, cheers!!!

[Mackie]

Get hold of the local Omnico rep, they distribute Schwinn

www.omnico.co.za

[jugheaddave]

Hi Johan

 

Sorry, my bad, its on the seatstay.

 

Silver thing is the rear brakes

 

[Johan Bornman]

Oh, now I see. It's such a nice enlargement that I didn't even recognise the brake anchor.

 

I stick with my comment regarding doing a dye penetration and "pump" test but want to add that the seatstays are too close to your backside for comfort. If it breaks off there it'll impale you. Have it checked.

Until then, don't use your back  brake since that puts the greatest stress on that area. Plain ol' riding simply puts it in compression and you will be OK if you don't use the back brake.

 

[jugheaddave]

Who can do a dye penetration test.

 

Is that the same thing that I see the guys doing on the fork lift trucks anually??

 

[mudda]

When my bianchi cracked on the down tube, I know this is going to  suck, but I chipped away the paint with my nail on the crack to make sure that it was a crack.

 

I had to know for certain, so  that just in case I am bailing down hekpoort hill and I hit those speed bumps, rider and bike will emerge as one, and not in three different chunks.

 

It turned out it was cracked.

 

You should not take any risks, have it checked out.

 

 

 

[Johan Bornman]

Who can do a dye penetration test.

 

Is that the same thing that I see the guys doing on the fork lift trucks anually??

Are you in Jhb?

[jugheaddave]

I am in East London.

 

I have contacted the guys at omnico, lets see what they say?

 

[kennyg]

My gut says its a crack.

 

Its suspicious how a small crush zone is appearing, on the top photo 2 of the cracks are overlapping. Suggesting the start of a composite failure. It could also be a considered "flex" zone in the design and the paint is stiffer than the flex causing a similar result.

 

Since you are East London based, I lived there for 2 years and cycle, the rough road conditions aren't helping.

 

I have had good experience with Ominco, suggest to them they change the frame any way. Better safe than sorry.