Is this a crack or just a bad weld ?

teulk
teulk Posts: 557
edited July 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
My bike has been creaking like crazy now for a few weeks, ive greased evertything going and still it creaks - if this was a crack would it cause creaking ? If i shake my bike whilst holding the frame it creaks. Heres some pics - the bike is upside down and your looking at the weld where the top tube meets the stem.

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Boardman Team 09 HT
Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
Specialized Secteur Elite 2011

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    not a crack.

    what is the frame?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • teulk
    teulk Posts: 557
    Its a boardman Team MB 09 - so is it just a bad weld ? so what could be causing the creaking if i flex the frame ? Could that weld be the cause of the creaking ?
    Boardman Team 09 HT
    Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
    Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    nicklouse wrote:
    not a crack.

    what is the frame?

    Dead :lol:
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • teulk
    teulk Posts: 557
    :? :? :? DEAD :? :? :?
    Boardman Team 09 HT
    Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
    Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    You need to identify where the creak is coming from.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • teulk
    teulk Posts: 557
    supersonic wrote:
    You need to identify where the creak is coming from.

    Easier said than done - i had the seat, seat clamp, seat post out and greased all the bolts and anything that could possibly move. Had the handlebars off, stem off, head out and greased everything that moves. BB seems ok too. Changed pedals - still creaks. Its going back to the shop tomorrow for them to have a look at - there is no way that im riding around on a bike that cost £850 where everyone looks round cos' they hear you coming from a mile away.
    Boardman Team 09 HT
    Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
    Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Try tightning the chainring bolts too abd ensure the crank arms and BB is torqued correctly.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Rockhopper
    Rockhopper Posts: 503
    Good luck with getting Halfords to sort that one then!
  • teulk
    teulk Posts: 557
    I took it back to halfords this morning. The guy i spoke to seemed ok - i showed him the weld and he said he would speak to the manufacturers on tuesday about it and propbably have to send the bike off to them to inspect it. As for the creaking he thought it may be the BB and said he would strip it down and check it out. I can live with the crappy weld but there is no way i can handle another creaky ride. I even told him about the water bottle cage bolt that i had to initially remove with mole grips and stripping the internal threads in the process - he was even ok about that. Oh well just a case of sit back and wait.
    Boardman Team 09 HT
    Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
    Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
  • neilos
    neilos Posts: 4
    What happened in the end?

    I have just bought a boardman team HT and it creaks like hell.

    Its back with halfords right now as they try to sort it out.
  • bodisgod
    bodisgod Posts: 42
    I have a Pro HT, same issue, done all of the above!

    What happened, tell us? :idea:
  • teulk
    teulk Posts: 557
    They changed the frame and all is well...................they said they would send if off to be checked. When i got the call to pick it up i asked if it was a crack and the guy told me they didnt bother sending it to be checked and just decided to replace the frame. So it all turned out ok for me in the end.
    Boardman Team 09 HT
    Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
    Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
  • Si78
    Si78 Posts: 963
    Glad it's turned out well for ya!

    As for the old frame:

    It just looks like under-cut on the weld. Get it when the welder amps are set too high. Metal doesn't pool properly, or fuse together smoothly on the surface. Doesn't usually affect the strength of the weld, but doesn't look good.
    Not what you would expect on an expensive bike tho!
    Why has my sig been removed by the admins???
  • Stellite
    Stellite Posts: 544
    Totally agree with si78, looks like undercut on the weld. Looks like a blind man welded it.

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