Carbon Fibre Repair

cycleoin86 · 16-05-2014 3:36pm #1

Hi All

I'm upgrading my frame in the coming weeks. I've been offered what could be a super deal or a poisoned chalice by my LBS - they have a top of the range carbon frame which has been repaired. The non-drive side chainstay has had a clean break. The LBS have had it repaired and apart from being somewhat ugly (no pain etc) it looks okay. They're offering it to me for 400bills.

THey say that they'll stand over the repair. I'm not too worried about the cosmetics but I obviously don't want to have to worry about the fibre giving way at the repair nor do I want to have any flex issues. The main reason I'm upgrading is that my current frame is about six years old and it has become increasingly flexi.

Does anyone have any direct experience of carbon fibre repairs? Have they held up? I know the guy who repaired it and I'd trust his skills... This isn't his first repair or anything of that sort. He works for the importer / wholesaler although I'm buying it from my LBS.

Thanks folks

AmberGold · 17-05-2014 9:51am

Sure you could buy a new Carbon frameset for not much more. Wouldn't bother tbh.

cycleoin86 · 18-05-2014 11:56am

AmberGold wrote: »

Sure you could buy a new Carbon frameset for not much more. Wouldn't bother tbh.

Not for 400 euro I wouldn't have thought? This frame would be in the 1500 euro rrp range. 1100euro saving worth the punt?

AmberGold · 18-05-2014 12:36pm

There's always deals to be had, might not be a premium name but at least you know it hasn't been stressed or crashed as you hurtle down a descent.

For example:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRBAC13C/battaglin-c13-carbon-road-frame-and-fork

GTDolanator · 18-05-2014 1:23pm

If this has been repaired by a guy with the innitials G H ill back it up in saying his work is second to none

Mr.Fred · 18-05-2014 2:05pm

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road/frar

what kind of frame is it?

seems to be similar prices new.

AmberGold · 18-05-2014 3:04pm

& if it's such a good repair why didn't the original owner hang onto it?

Lumen · 18-05-2014 7:45pm

I would be happy buying a properly repaired frame.

I don't think the original owner not hanging on to it is a reason to be suspicious. I have a Scott Addict frame (about 1500 new) with a cracked rear seatstay that I used to race on. As soon as it broke I bought a replacement frameset (Canyon) and swapped the parts over, so am left with a spare frame which I just haven't bothered getting fixed.

Raam · 18-05-2014 7:57pm

AmberGold wrote: »

& if it's such a good repair why didn't the original owner hang onto it?

There are plenty of reasons. In my case, I have a repaired CF frame. Before I decided to repair it, I bought a new frame and have since rebuilt the broken one.

ford2600 · 18-05-2014 8:21pm

AmberGold wrote: »

& if it's such a good repair why didn't the original owner hang onto it?

This is beginner stuff; it gave someone a perfect excuse to buy a new bike.

AmberGold · 18-05-2014 9:36pm

Thanks for that enlightening comment Ford 2600.

IMO I'd give it a miss. That's all, 400 is a lot for something with a dubious past and as you said yourself it's a somewhat ugly repair.

letape · 18-05-2014 9:50pm

I'd have no problem buying and riding a properly repaired and warrantied carbon frame.

The op said it was a top of the range frame so 400 does not seem like an excessive amount of money to pay.

cycleoin86 · 19-05-2014 8:10pm

GTDolanator wrote: »

If this has been repaired by a guy with the innitials G H ill back it up in saying his work is second to none

Yes! One in the same I think!!

cycleoin86 · 19-05-2014 8:20pm

Mr.Fred wrote: »

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/frames-frames-road/frar

what kind of frame is it?

seems to be similar prices new.

It's a Fuji Altamira SL

Thanks to all for your advice!!

Koobcam · 19-05-2014 11:19pm

If the repair is warrantied then go for it. One of the advantages of CF over other materials is the fact that it can be repaired. As long as the person repairing it knows what they are doing then it should be fine.

Brian? · 20-05-2014 12:24am

cycleoin86 wrote: »

It's a Fuji Altamira SL

Thanks to all for your advice!!

Lovely frame. I'd jump on it if I was you.

I have an Altamira 2.0, slightly heavier version of the SL and love it.

Taxuser1 · 20-05-2014 10:42am

cycleoin86 wrote: »

Yes! One in the same I think!!

you wouldn't mind passing me on his information please? I crashed in December and need my drop re-attached - currently a long cable going from lever to rear derailleur is not optimum so it needs some tension.

i've heard of one or two guys who do the repair. i'd have no problem paying 400 quid for a top frame and iI believe it's fairly easy to investigate hairline fracture issues in the rest of the frame - just in case.

but like most cyclists, we always want something new!

Raam · 20-05-2014 10:44am

GTDolanator wrote: »

If this has been repaired by a guy with the innitials G H ill back it up in saying his work is second to none

Hmm, a chap with those initials fixed mine too.

cycleoin86 · 20-05-2014 11:29am

Raam wrote: »

Hmm, a chap with those initials fixed mine too.

And what was your experience Raam??

cycleoin86 · 20-05-2014 11:30am

Taxuser1 wrote: »

you wouldn't mind passing me on his information please? I crashed in December and need my drop re-attached - currently a long cable going from lever to rear derailleur is not optimum so it needs some tension.

i've heard of one or two guys who do the repair. i'd have no problem paying 400 quid for a top frame and iI believe it's fairly easy to investigate hairline fracture issues in the rest of the frame - just in case.

but like most cyclists, we always want something new!

PM sent!!

Carbon Fibre Repair

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