Damaged carbon frame

[paske]

Hi,
Last ride I fell and now there is a big scratch on my carbon frame.
I have no idea what can I do or have to do to avoid that damage to extend more.
Any advice will be welcome, thanks.

 

[RustyIron]

That's about the biggest "scratch" I've ever seen.

You have two choices:
Send it to a company that specializes in repair of carbon frames.
Contact Orbea for a replacement frame.

 

[paske]

That's about the biggest "scratch" I've ever seen.

You have two choices:
Send it to a company that specializes in repair of carbon frames.
Contact Orbea for a replacement frame.

Thanks for your answer.
Yes, it's a little more than a simple scratch but my english is limited and it was the only word i found...

TBH I was not expecting an answer as radical and I suppose as expansive as yours. Is it that bad?

 

[bazxa]

That was really unfortunate, it's not rideable. New frame time

 

[paske]

That was really unfortunate, it's not rideable. New frame time

Not rideable, really? Why?
It doesn't look to me. There is no hole...

 

[bazxa]

Carbon fibre damage is frequently worse on the side away from the impact. looked like a hole to me. your choice.

 

[aarfeldt]

You culd clean it up, remove loose parts, and then fill it with carbon resin.
It /might/ hold up....and since the other move is to get a new frame, you could try this "fix" first.

Also....carefully inspect it after every ride.

 

[paske]

I took some new pictures after removing loose parts and it seems to me that it's just the paint layer that is gone.
I also "knock" on the frame and the sound didn't change...
What do you think?

 

[bazxa]

I was wrong it's not holed. Have a good look inside with a camera to establish how extensive the damage is, the white line indicates that the glue and possibly the filaments have been damaged, it will need expert repair.
Mat is layered in different directions to carry the associated stress, providing the necessary strength. Good luck.

 

[Repsol]

I would expect that could be touched up if you can find the exact colour match.
Build it up in layers then flat it off with 2000 wet and dry with plenty of lubricant in the water, ie washing up liquid. Don't use circular motion, go across in straight lines then buff it up with a rotary polisher if you have one.
If you make a mess of it take it to an airbrush artist.
It May be worth checking it for stress cracks first, one way is to spray it with something like WD40 and leave it to sock into any cracks, then carefully wipe it dry and sprinkle talc powder over it, any oil that's been drawn into the cracks will be soaked up by the talc and show up. It's abit of a crude method and mainly works best on metal welded joints but worth a try. Failing that is to take it to a carbon fibre specialist for them to crack test it.

 

[Repsol]

Just seen the other hairline cracks in the actual paint, without taking the entire paint off its hard to tell if it's in the carbon. For peace of mind take it to a carbon fibre specialist.

 

[RustyIron]

Is it that bad?

Yeah... it's no longer rideable. Orbea offers discount replacements on frames that have been damaged. Like I said, there are people who specialize in repairs like this. If you have someone local, it might be worth talking to them.

 

[Mikerb]

that looks to me like UD carbon laid radially ...thats the black stuff. Then there is the white stuff which is not carbon and is not part of the composite since it has come away without impacting on the UD carbon below it. It looks to me to be an epoxy filler used for aesthetic finishing purposes. Personally I would warranty it because there is no way that top finishing coat, whatever it is, should not be bonded to the carbon, and the long cracks away from the piece that is missing suggests you could carry on picking more and more off the tube.
That to me looks a highly unsatisfactory construction but if my observations are right that "cosmetic" finish was doing nothing structural in the first place....so no difference now!

 

[Gary]

Yeah... it's no longer rideable.

you can't tell that from the pictures.

As above. The only way to know for sure is to take it to a carbon fibre repair specialist for inspection

 

[RustyIron]

you can't tell that from the pictures.

As above. The only way to know for sure is to take it to a carbon fibre repair specialist for inspection

You do you, BooBoo.
Despite what your "specialist" says, riding a bike in that condition is silly.

If you would ride that frame because your "specialist" told you it was fine,
then we can all infer something about your "real" level of cycling expertise.

 

[Gary]

You're the one being silly rusty.

a specialist carbon fibre frame repairer will first inspect the frame and from that first inspection deem whether the frame requires repair or further investigation involving a full thermographic X-ray scan and microscopic scan to deem whether the structure has been compromised. If found to be damaged it can then be repaired to a quality and strength at least equal to a brand new frame. That's kind of one of the biggest selling points of carbon fibre as a bicycle frame material. But don't let actual facts get in the way of your poor attempt at having a dig at me in red font.
*sigh*

There are companies all over the world offering specialist carbon fibre repair
eg.

Home - Carbon Bike Repair - World Leader in Consulting, Design and Repair of Carbon Fiber Parts

Carbon Bike Repair provides consulting, design, carbon repair and restoration services to manufacturers, insurance companies and cyclists.

carbonbikerepair.co.uk

 

[RustyIron]

investigation involving a full thermographic X-ray scan and microscopic scan to deem whether the structure has been compromised.

Yes, yes... we all know that you claim to be an author and are the self-proclaimed internet forum expert. Regardless of your vast vocabulary, I still maintain that if you need a specialized expert with "full thermographic x-ray scan" to tell you that that frame is NOT ok to ride, then you're not all you claim to be. I'm not saying "belligerent fraud," as it's entirely possible there was a bit of miscommunication.

To the original poster, I'll say it again and more emphatically this time: Do not ride that frame until it is repaired or replaced. It is not ok to ride it in the condition it's in, and don't let any "expert" tell you otherwise.

 

[Gary]

Try actually reading what I said in post #14 before going off on another of your red font rants

Your fixation with me...

is becoming slightly creepy.

 

[RustyIron]

Yup. I looked for you. I found nothing. You're a fraud. I'm calling you out. You are nothing but a poser.

I looked for you on the EMTB Strava, and didn't find you.
I can't find any pictures of where you ride.
Is there anyone here who can vouch for your "expertise?"

What about this "book" you wrote, Mister Professional Author. Point me to it. I'll buy it just so I can see what a laughing stock you are.

Pleeeeease give me something so I can respect you.
Anybody? Does this "Gary" character have any cred?

And once again, if you need a professional thermographic x-ray molecular microscope to know that the frame should not be ridden, then you're not an experienced cyclist.

 

[mark.ai]

Yup. I looked for you. I found nothing. You're a fraud. I'm calling you out. You are nothing but a poser.

I looked for you on the EMTB Strava, and didn't find you.
I can't find any pictures of where you ride.
Is there anyone here who can vouch for your "expertise?"

What about this "book" you wrote, Mister Professional Author. Point me to it. I'll buy it just so I can see what a laughing stock you are.

Pleeeeease give me something so I can respect you.
Anybody? Does this "Gary" character have any cred?

And once again, if you need a professional thermographic x-ray molecular microscope to know that the frame should not be ridden, then you're not an experienced cyclist.

You seem to be the one going off on a weird rant @RustyIron …

@Gary basically agrees with your post, and then you start writing stupid replies!

 

[Gary]

Yup. I looked for you. I found nothing. You're a fraud. I'm calling you out. You are nothing but a poser.

I looked for you on the EMTB Strava, and didn't find you.
I can't find any pictures of where you ride.
Is there anyone here who can vouch for your "expertise?"

What about this "book" you wrote, Mister Professional Author. Point me to it. I'll buy it just so I can see what a laughing stock you are.

Pleeeeease give me something so I can respect you.

I'm totally getting this framed and hung in my hallway to make me laugh every time I read it.

 

[LeftItLancs]

The resident wind-up merchant "Gary" gets his LOLs in again.

Exactly why I don't ask any questions on this site and only rarely comment.

 

[Doomanic]

Anybody? Does this "Gary" character have any cred?

While I don’t know Gary personally (and I’ve had a few run ins with him on here in the early days) I do know someone who does and if an ex-Yamaha sponsored moto enduro racer tells me that Gary both knows his stuff and can really ride I’m inclined to believe him. You really need to stop this one nutter crusade to “out” Gary as a fraud. Or get professional help. Either’s good, both would be better.

 

[flash]

What about this "book" you wrote, Mister Professional Author. Point me to it. I'll buy it just so I can see what a laughing stock you are.

Chill dude! Author just refers to the fact he's written an article for THIS site. That's all.

If you don't like him you can block his posts in your forum settings... Is it really worth all this agro?

Gordon

 

[Doomanic]

Timely…

Carbon frame repair experiences?

Home › Forums › Bike Forum › Carbon frame repair experiences? Search Overview Chat Bike Members News Women This topic has 9 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 2 years ago…

singletrackworld.com

 

[paske]

Thanks everybody for answers and inputs. It seems that's only the paint that cracked and pealed but I will see a carbon specialist anyway as soon as I can.

 

[Repsol]

Thanks everybody for answers and inputs. It seems that's only the paint that cracked and pealed but I will see a carbon specialist anyway as soon as I can.

Stick some gaffer tape round it and a specilized sticker over the top, it'll be reet.

 

[Mikerb]

There are a number of good repair guys for kit I use for windsurfing and damage to a 100% carbon composite windsurf board is fairly common. So carbon composite repair is perfectly achieveable but it invariably involves a much bigger repair in area than the damage would suggest and achieving a invisible paint repair afterwards in difficult..........it is certainly not cost effective for a brand to do as opposed to merely replacing the frame.

My chief concern with the damage shown by the OP would be to get confirmation of how exactly that frame has been constructed because other areas of the frame will no doubt have that same "white" layer and I do not understand why it appears not to have been bonded to the carbon below it . It almost looks to me like a gel coat but that sort of finishing layer is more commonly used on fibreglass composites.

 

[Mteam]

I'd pick the loose bits of paint off,like you have done, sand it to smooth the rough edges, tap all around with a coin and if it didn't sound like there was any change in tone on the tapping and there was no obvious flexing or cracking noises when forced , I'd mark the edges/perimeter of the crack with a felt tip pen and ride it, carefully at first,looking for signs of the crack getting larger, gradually building up to my normal riding until I either gained confidence in it or the crack got larger.

I might also be tempted to get hold of one of those cheap usb endoscope cameras and poke it inside the frame and see if I could see any internal damage to the frame.

I'm not saying you should do the above,it's just what I would do.

Safest option is to buy a new frame.

 

[paske]

I'd pick the loose bits of paint off,like you have done, sand it to smooth the rough edges, tap all around with a coin and if it didn't sound like there was any change in tone on the tapping and there was no obvious flexing or cracking noises when forced , I'd mark the edges/perimeter of the crack with a felt tip pen and ride it, carefully at first,looking for signs of the crack getting larger, gradually building up to my normal riding until I either gained confidence in it or the crack got larger.

I might also be tempted to get hold of one of those cheap usb endoscope cameras and poke it inside the frame and see if I could see any internal damage to the frame.

I'm not saying you should do the above,it's just what I would do.

Safest option is to buy a new frame.

I've done the tapping test thing already and didn't notice a change of sound. It looks there is no damage to the carbon itself.
My fall was more of a slide in a field , it was so slippery and muddy that the rear wheel went slowly sideways till the point I was totally lying on the ground and sliding with the bike on a few meters. So no real hard knock on the frame (I think!).

Safest option is unfortunately out of my budget! All this COVID thing killed it...

Luckily, in regards of this small country that is Belgium, I found a carbon specialist near my place and I will definitely pay him a visit to fix this.