Bargain or Death Trap??

furiousox

Stumbled across this while browsing ebay.
Cracked carbon (stay with me) Giant TCR frame.
The crack looks to be easily repairable.
So, bargain...or death trap??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-TCR-Advanced-carbon-frame-2012-/160993325590?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item257bf33216

Lumen

"This is the only place on a Giant carbon frame where you may get away without repairing as the frame is held so strongly together at BB and top of seat tube."

LOL.

Oryx

Makes me wonder why the guy isn't repairing it himself if it's that harmless a break.

furiousox

Ok so that's two in the "bargain" camp.
Should I add a poll? :pac:

fondriest

A friend of mine broke his giant in the same place only a bit worse , got it repaired and had been riding it for the past year with no issues .

MadHatter

"No oversea bidders" - could be a problem for you, no?

happytramp

MadHatter wrote: »

"No oversea bidders" - could be a problem for you, no?

Parcel motel to the rescue.

MadHatter

happytramp wrote: »

Parcel motel to the rescue.

Parcel Motel in Belfast could well be considered overseas too

Eamonnator

It doesn't look too bad on the outside!
I Wonder, what it looks like on the inside?

C3PO

I'd take a chance on having that repaired!

kencoo

Bargain. Go for it!

furiousox

Contacted the seller and shipping to parcel motel in Belfast would be £20.
Cheap as the frame is I don't really have the budget for a bike build right now.
Could always buy it and build it up gradually.
Genuinely interested in opinions on the frame damage.

Raam

If I owned it I would repair it but I wouldn't be buying it in order to repair it. Buying problems if you ask me. But hey, don't let me stop you.

petethedrummer

I'd buy a new Planet-X or Ribble frame instead. The nagging feeling would never go away riding that.

furiousox

I've been married for 18 years mate, when it comes to bikes the nagging will never go away! ;-)
Seriously though, I've seen carbon bikes with repaired chain stays.
Now that would make me nervous whereas the damage here looks pretty minor

Tea_Bag

petethedrummer wrote: »

I'd buy a new Planet-X or Ribble frame instead. The nagging feeling would never go away riding that.

for £200? where?

I have to wonder if half the scare rumors around damaged carbon frames are not pushed by manufacturers who want you to simply buy another one. its great for business.


that said, this guy works in a bike shop or something and isnt willing to keep/repair it himself, so its probably a dud.

petethedrummer

Tea_Bag wrote: »

for £200?

That's 200
plus shipping to Ireland (Cost me £30 last time I shipped a frame to UK.)
plus shipping to carbon repairer
plus carbon repairs
plus shipping back.

Yes you end up with a £1500 frame (sort of) but is it worth the hassle?

The OP could do it himself I suppose: http://theprojectjunkie.com/bicycles-bike-components/carbon-bike-repair.html

Would be an interesting project if you are into that kind of thing.

furiousox

I've emailed these lads to see what they think

http://www.facebook.com/RoughStuffCarbonRepairs?ref=ts&fref=ts

lennymc was advised to repair his badly cracked top tube recently, I don't see this damage as being in the same ball-park at all?

Craig06

Mark Downey of rough stuff I know from my kayaking days. Has been making kayaks and paddles for years so I really think a bike frame should be no problem to him.

dermur

Craig06 wrote: »

Mark Downey of rough stuff I know from my kayaking days. Has been making kayaks and paddles for years so I really think a bike frame should be no problem to him.

Yup - I cracked a seat stay on my Focus Izalco couple of years back.

Brought it to him and he repaired for 100 quid or so but that obviously depends on nature of the work required. Has been fine since.

Just get them to be careful when clamping the bike prior to repairing; I can see the clamp marks on the underside of the frame still...