Paint or Carbon Fibre crack?

Statler · 07-07-2012 4:40pm #1

Cleaning the bike today and noticed a couple of cracks in the paintwork at the top of the right hand seat stay, I'm reasonably confident that they're just cracks in the paintwork, but would appreciate anyone knowledgable in such things having a look at the photos and letting me know what they think.... Thanks!

A_Sober_Paddy · 07-07-2012 4:41pm

Statler wrote: »

Cleaning the bike today and noticed a couple of cracks in the paintwork at the top of the right hand seat stay, I'm reasonably confident that they're just cracks in the paintwork, but would appreciate anyone knowledgable in such things having a look at the photos and letting me know what they think.... Thanks!

Can't see the image

Statler · 07-07-2012 4:42pm

Sorry should be visible now...

A_Sober_Paddy · 07-07-2012 4:45pm

Statler wrote: »

Sorry should be visible now...

Yeah can see it now...

I'm very much a rookie, but it looks more like a crack in the frame than paint. I've not seen many frame cracks but it seems to look like the frame than the paint, sorry:(

Andy-Pandy · 07-07-2012 4:48pm

Id get that looked at by someone who knows these things, without it getting checked you'll never know for sure. Im sure someone hear can point you in the right direction.

Statler · 08-07-2012 10:25pm

Don't suppose anyone would know of anywhere around Dublin where I can get this checked properly, have the obvious choice of sending it back to Canyon for inspection, but really don't fancy being without it for the couple of weeks that's bound to take...

stripeypaint · 09-07-2012 12:09am

take photos of the bike,problem area and send to the canyon warranty dept.
o
an issue which could shown in a bike shop if it wasnt purchased off online only manufacturers such as canyon.

C3PO · 09-07-2012 8:15am

I'd be inclined to "bite the bullet" and send it back to Canyon! Given the location, failure could be really nasty! I'm no expert but that looks like it could be a stress crack and really needs to be checked by the manufacturer!

AstraMonti · 09-07-2012 8:42am

I would say it's a paint crack. White paint on carbon frames is generally very thick and can crack. If it was properly cracked in 3 different spots there it would probably have snapped by now. Again, it's not much we can tell from a picture, get it properly checked.

enoonan · 09-07-2012 9:12am

Looking at cracks every day of the week and I reckon that it is a crack in the paint. Then again with out doing a proper inspection I could not be 100%.
See if you can find someone in Dublin doing Non-Destructive Testing(Metlab & Fero Inspection are Dublin based I think). They should be able to give you a proper answer. If you were in Limerick or closer I would give a look at it for you.
If the carbon were cracked that much in that area you should be able to see the crack widening if you were to put pressure on it.

Eoin

Statler · 09-07-2012 9:25am

Appreciate the advice, I reckon I'll have to send it back to have it checked properly, better safe than sorry I suppose...

dave_o_brien · 09-07-2012 9:25am

AstraMonti wrote: »

I would say it's a paint crack. White paint on carbon frames is generally very thick and can crack. If it was properly cracked in 3 different spots there it would probably have snapped by now. Again, it's not much we can tell from a picture, get it properly checked.

I'd agree with this and with what enoonan said about pressure should slightly widen the fracture. It looks like a paint crack. Bring it to a decent bike shop and see what they think. Or if you know a radiographer, an x-ray will give you your answer quick smart!

Statler · 09-07-2012 9:45am

dave_o_brien wrote: »

......Or if you know a radiographer, an x-ray will give you your answer quick smart!

Don't think I know any radiographers, could always chance my arm in A and E I suppose!

dave_o_brien · 09-07-2012 9:51am

Statler wrote: »

Don't think I know any radiographers, could always chance my arm in A and E I suppose!

I think you'd be quicker studying radiography, to be honest.

monkeyslayer · 09-07-2012 10:06am

Looks like paint to me, but it'll get worse, and your bike has pretty much no resale value now if you ever wanted to uopgrade... get the photos off to canyon asap and try and get it posted as soon as possible... in a similar position myself with Focus/Wiggle and its dragging into its fourth week now and I still have the frame, though Focus want the frame back, wiggle aren't doing all much to help me speed up the process. Best to get it started soon as you can.

stripeypaint · 09-07-2012 12:13pm

bike shops send photos of the complete bike and problem area to the warranty dept at the manufacturer. they usually tell you from there if the bike needs to be sent to them. i go through this process in work a fair few times a month. its the quickest and cheapest process

English Bob · 10-07-2012 12:57pm

This def looks like some cracking in the paint. I had something similar and took bike to richies in swords to check. Keep riding and checking to see if you notice any spreading otherwise forget about it and just get out on the pedals.

A_Sober_Paddy · 10-07-2012 1:07pm

English Bob wrote: »

This def looks like some cracking in the paint. I had something similar and took bike to richies in swords to check. Keep riding and checking to see if you notice any spreading otherwise forget about it and just get out on the pedals.

But if it is a crack, failure could cause serious injury or worse. Better to get it checked

Statler · 10-07-2012 10:07pm

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

But if it is a crack, failure could cause serious injury or worse. Better to get it checked

This is what's at the back of my mind when I convince myself it's just a paint crack... emailed photos to Canyon, they replied looking for the frame number and my original order number, so I reckon the frame will be going back for inspection...

boege · 10-07-2012 10:28pm

There are a few companies in Ireland that manufacture composite components and some have non-destructive inspection equipment (e.g. I have seen a tiny acoustic sensor used). Some universities might also have similar equipment. If you know anyone in these companies they might check it for you as a service. One company I am aware of is Eirecomposities near spiddal in county Galway.

http://www.eirecomposites.com/thermoplastics-composites-testing.html

My son has a white Giant TCR Advanced and he has a couple of similar cracks in the frame. I am keeping them under review.

A major factor is whether the frame took a knock at some stage - either on or off the road?

J Madone · 11-07-2012 5:20pm

But if it is a crack, failure could cause serious injury or worse. Better to get it checked[/Quote]

A simple way of checking it
Tap around the area with a euro coin on its edge. If the tapping sound changes whilst going from one side to the other( equals trouble.)
If sound stays the same it's only paint rather than structural.
This will give you a better idea

Statler · 13-07-2012 6:17pm

Just an update, got an email from Canyon today, they're replacing the frame under warranty, lack of stock means I'll be upgraded to this year's CF SLX model, can't argue with that and ten out of ten to them for after sales service...

A_Sober_Paddy · 14-07-2012 1:56am

Statler wrote: »

Just an update, got an email from Canyon today, they're replacing the frame under warranty, lack of stock means I'll be upgraded to this year's CF SLX model, can't argue with that and ten out of ten to them for after sales service...

Fantastic news mate

Paint or Carbon Fibre crack?

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