2nd Hand Carbon Frame Buying.....what to look for

giantjason
giantjason Posts: 89
edited February 2009 in MTB buying advice
i have an oppurtunity to buy a 2nd hand Ibis carbon frame and am querying if this is a good idea or to stay completely away from it.

The frame is about 14 months old and appears to be in good condition and well looked after.

Is there any obvious issues to look out for, questions to ask etc?

Comments

  • Fine tooth comb over every square mm

    Just look in detail at the tube junctions/interfaces with dropouts etc for cracks in paint. Some hairlining does occur where a flexible carbon stay meets a stiff ally dropout, but even so i'd recommened a third opinion on these (I had some appear on my old scale's dropouts)

    Any major damage will be obvious though, carbon fails properly when it fails
    Scott Scale Custom
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/ ... C09729.jpg

    Kona Coilair 2007 Dark Peak Destroyer
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/ ... C09727.jpg

    "BOCD - If it aint perfect it aint good enough"
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    Contact the importer and ask what their policy is for frame failures on secondhand bikes.

    If they don't seem helpful, give it a swerve.

    That's what I'd do anyway.
  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    Check all joints and any damage to frame

    Best way but no idea how you do this, is to X-ray the frame.

    But personlay unless you know the person I would not go there.