Paint Cracking Off

sonny73

Just cleaned my bike, first full on clean since I had some new bits put on, including brakes.
As I was wiping around the underside of the rear brake, on the outside of the frame some paint came away where the frame meets the brake washer.
On closer inspection the paint is cracked around the area as a whole, the frame is 2 years old, carbon.
So my question is, is this normal to see such wear or likely that the brakes were fitted too tightly and if they were is it likely the carbon is damaged too?
I may drop in to my LBS that fitted them to have them check.
Cheers

Berk Bonebonce

Brake washers vary. Some come with especially sharp edges designed to dig into a frame for a firm hold. This may be okay on steel and aluminium frames, but not carbon. You would think that manufacturers guidance would be more clear on this.

I am doing a carbon build at the moment and plan on trying a couple of rubber tap washers, which as I tighten up will compress for a firm hold.

I can't see what the eyes of a bike shop mechanic will be able to see that your eyes can't. But if you think your average lbs is staffed by some outstanding font-of-all-knowledge bicycle expert then by all means ask them their opinion.

JohnnyAllez

If the LBS fitted the brakes as stated, then they may not be the best people to give an un-biased view on whether the frame has been damaged during that fitting

giant_man

This wouldn't be the first case where someone's bike, carbon or otherwise, goes into their LBS and comes out with a crack, or with a part fitted incorrectly or some other bodge job.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it was the fault of the shop.