Cracked my Boardman Pro HT frame

Mccraque

Glanced down on the start line of todays Gorrick. Noticed this hairline crack between the seat tube and the top tube.

I'm pretty sure it's a crack in the weld rather than cosmetic. The bike is creaking a little now (before it wasn't) - which reinforces this I guess..

What are people's thoughts? I'm pretty sure my two year frame warranty has expired by about 6 months...typically...

Can these be easily mended? tbh I am not too bothered if it doesn't look great....just can't really afford a new bike and don't want a catestrophic fail when riding. Sort of thing a reasonable welder may be able to fix?

Also - I am not heartless enough to stick it on ebay....as am sure someone will suggest! :shock:

supersonic

Difficult to say, it may be cosmetic, would have to get someone or take a close look (or take the paint off). It is very unlikely you have any recourse with Halfords now, but it would be the first place I go to.

Mccraque

I'll certainly head down there and ask. You never know...

should it be a crack - repairable or new frame?

supersonic

Dead frame. They can be rewelded, or gusseted up, but not always cheap and might not last.

The Rookie

My Carrera has a 'crack' that looks just like that but is definately just the paint.....

Mccraque

I hope you're right but what makes you so sure? Have you sanded the area?

The Rookie

Nope, marked the ends up and measured it every ride for a while, if it was a crack it would be spreading, after all the more it cracks, the more strain on the remaining metal.

heez29

Go to Halfords and see what they can do. If you're nice and say you think you may be out of warranty but not sure you may get lucky.

We had a boy with a Road Team Carbon get a free frame a year out of warranty. Halfords HO just want minimal fuss regardless of who's at fault (really fucking annoying if you know the rider is at fault and can prove it).

LJ.

How high was the seatpost?

02gf74

don 't disapir, it could be the paint. are you able to see any movement when you sit on he bike ?
only way to tell is to take the paint off.

aluminium frames can be repaired but bear in mind some of the more exotic aluminiuim alloys need heat treatment.

Mccraque

It's most certainly dead.

I have a couple of friends who work for a well known formula 1 team and they've managed to scan the bike using a borescope (to see inside the tube - defo crack all the way through) and additionally a dye penetrant / UV image.

to coin their teminology - "It's farked".

I'll take back to Halfords as has only been ridden lightly (I use a zesty for anything remotely meaty) and is only a few months out of warranty. Hopefully they'll be able to suggest something. Their head office asked me to take it to the store....so fingers crossed.

Mccraque

cooldad

Not good news, but I love science.

The Rookie

Pretty picture of something unpretty!

Worth mentioning the sale of goods act as it trumps the warranty.

Chunkers1980

That is awesome. Shane though. You don't live near MK do you?

heez29

The Beginner wrote:

Pretty picture of something unpretty!

Worth mentioning the sale of goods act as it trumps the warranty.

Hate people who start waving "acts" around. Fair enough if they won't sort it but give them a chance first.

The Rookie

I didn't say not to give them a chance first!

cooldad

Don't you just hate people who jump to conclusions?

Lagrange

How have you concluded that people have jumped to conclusions. That is hateful!

Chunkers1980

Think that was a dig at the starter.

Mccraque

I've just been in to Halfords and they've been more than helpful thus far.

They need to speak to HO and Boardman to see what is available. Doubt I can get the same frame unfortunately which would mean an equivalent in this years model.

Problem is - it's not what I want really. 120mm. I prefer the racier geometry of the older model and the 100mm fork.

To that point - if they just swap the frame...how would that work with a 100mm fork?


EDIT: Just had a call from the store. They have the old model still in stock. Frame should be here within a couple of days and they're going to swap everything over and build it up for me this week.

They have their detractors - but I have to say that Halfords have been great on this occasion.

Deputy Dawg

That's good news. They were probably still in shock with the diagnostics you put the frame through.

& you have a fantastic pic for your profile if you choose to use it too

supersonic

great result, gone out of their way for you there!

stubs

I have no idea if its practical but could a cracked Ali frame be fixed by wrapping the joint in epoxy coated carbon fibre cloth. Would look fugging ugly but as a way of keeping a frame running whilst funds build up for a replacement it might be a goer. Anyone on here who knows what they are talking about and could give a yay or nay or even an only if you hate your teeth and like hospital food opinion.

ps Cool picture I am intensely jealous of you knowing engineers from an F1 team.

carbonkid

stubs wrote:

I have no idea if its practical but could a cracked Ali frame be fixed by wrapping the joint in epoxy coated carbon fibre cloth. Would look fugging ugly but as a way of keeping a frame running whilst funds build up for a replacement it might be a goer. Anyone on here who knows what they are talking about and could give a yay or nay or even an only if you hate your teeth and like hospital food opinion.

ps Cool picture I am intensely jealous of you knowing engineers from an F1 team.

no,no,and no.yes carbon is very strong but its not a magic do it all fix for anything, by the way anyone else noticed how many cracked boardman frames are for sale on ebay all the time??? lots!