De Rosa King Hair line Crack

Lysander
Lysander Posts: 349
edited August 2007 in Workshop
I was cleaning my De Rosa King yesterday when I noticed a hair line crack where the seat stays join the down tube and the top tube.
I took it back to Sigma Sport in Kingston and they said it was just the lacquer on the frame that had cracked from the frame flexing when I ride it.
I bought the bike in March 2006 and have done 1300 miles on it. I weigh 75kg so not that heavy.
The frame was sent back to De Rosa early this year for a new coat of lacquer after I had scratched it. They said this might have something to do with it.
I have sent a picture of the crack to De Rosa but so far have not heard anything.
So what do you think? Is it safe to ride? I really dont want it going snap when I'm doing 45mph down a hill!

Comments

  • farrell
    farrell Posts: 1,323
    It's probably OK but I would wait until I hear something from De Rosa........


    Can you show us the picture?
    www.farrellart-london.co.uk

    www.farrellart-london.co.uk/bike/bike.html
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    Cracks shouldn't happen regardless of their being just in the lacquer or not. My Cervelo R3c got a crack like the one you described, instant replacement.
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    From memory, the King uses a seperate seatstay wishbone bonded into a lug at the back. If the crack is just around where the wishbone and frame join, I wouldn't worry as the sleeve joint is very strong and very unlikely to break / come apart - probably due to very slight movement in the bonded joint causing the 'brittle' lacquer to crack. Still worth getting your LBS to take a look.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Lysander
    Lysander Posts: 349
    Hi
    The crack is a few inches below where the wishbone stays join the rest of the bike. I'm very worried because I have hardly ridden it and I only weigh 75kg. I just feel this should'nt happen.
    I will take it to AW Cycles in Caversham this Saturday and see what they say.
    As it stands I think I will take it back to Sigma and ask them to send it back to De Rosa for them to take a closer look.
    Just dont feel happy riding it.
  • Cyclo2000
    Cyclo2000 Posts: 1,923
    My friend damaged his DeRosa and the factory insisted on having it back for repair. The DeRosa family are fiercly protective of their reputation, I'd insist that Sigma Sport call the factory to discuss it. If they refuse, call them yourself. At DeRosa prices, even a crack in the varnish is unacceptable.
    Usquequaque in Ventus
    Just once I would like to be called "Sir", without someone adding "You\'re making a scene".
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Cyclo2000 wrote:
    My friend damaged his DeRosa and the factory insisted on having it back for repair. The DeRosa family are fiercly protective of their reputation, I'd insist that Sigma Sport call the factory to discuss it. If they refuse, call them yourself. At DeRosa prices, even a crack in the varnish is unacceptable.
    I totally agree! :?
  • PhilA
    PhilA Posts: 26
    I posted about a crack in my Kuota frame last week, so this makes interesting reading.

    I was initially told that it could just be the lacquer, but on further investigation it seems that shouldn't happen. It should flex just as much as the carbon underneath. Proof of that theory is within my carbon bottle cages - they get flexed and squeezed all over the place but the lacquer stays true to the carbon underneath!

    Anyway, between my local dealer and the distributor they have decided not to take any chances. I took it in last Saturday and a new Kredo frame should be with me this Saturday. A pretty good service if you ask me.

    I would suggest pushing the dealer and wait upon De Rosa for a reply. Remember, though, that De Rosa may not have seen your e-mail because the whole of Italy (or at least it seems like it) goes on holiday in August.

    Good luck with it.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I take your point but there is a bit of a difference size wise between the amount of lacquer used on a frame and a carbon bottle cage! But as you say it should flex as well as the carbon itself.

    I am kinda surprised about a De Rosa doing this, must admit. But every manufacturer does produce the odd bad one, so if they replace like for like, I would think this fair.
  • mosesbotbol
    mosesbotbol Posts: 3
    Send it back to DeRosa, they are top brand should just swap it out rather than have their name dragged in the dirt on some bike forum. The last post on this forum should be like "DeRosa just sent me a new frame in exchange for the one with the crack... Just lovely customer service!" I have always thought of them as one of the best, and it is times like this which really test a brand.

    The fact that there was a crack to start with is another story...

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