Found Carbon damage where rear brake caliper attaches

bus_ter
bus_ter Posts: 337
edited March 2013 in Road general
These photos are taken from behind where the rear brake caliper attaches to the frame. One photo from each side.

Looks like there is some sort of hole in the glue/epoxy/carbon?

The magnified macro photo makes it look worse than it appears normally. You have to look carefully from behind in the right light to see it otherwise. The bike is about a year old and I just noticed this when changing the brake pads today. I don't know how long it's been like this (could even have been from new?)

Should I try and fill in the gaps with epoxy? Leave it alone and don't worry? Contact the bike manufacture?

Any thoughts?

rear1_zpsff4785f5.jpg



rear2_zpsa5bc7dc3.jpg

Comments

  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Lol Carbon.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • bus_ter
    bus_ter Posts: 337
    what does lol carbon mean?
  • Strith
    Strith Posts: 541
    I cant see it sorry. But regardless, if it worries you go to a bike shop and ask the advice of someone there. I'm sure they won't mind a quick look.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    bus_ter wrote:
    what does lol carbon mean?

    It means, its Carbon and therefore meant to break/scratch/look dull after a year/chip/ etc etc.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • bus_ter
    bus_ter Posts: 337
    Thanks for your replies.

    The top photo shows it most clearly. There's a sort of hole that's formed through the skin of 'carbon?' just below where the bolt head is located.

    It's probably not a big deal and I'm going to fill the gap with a little epoxy, unless anyone thinks that is a bad idea.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    What the hell does the material a bike is made from have to do with whether a bike stays clean or not, it's the finish/paint and how you yourself look after the bike, what a crock of shite.
  • slowandsteady
    slowandsteady Posts: 339
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    Lol.



    Lol.



    Really!
    Wilier Cento Uno SR 2013 in Fluro Yellow
    Cannondale Caad10 2014 in BLACK!!
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Bozman wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    What the hell does the material a bike is made from have to do with whether a bike stays clean or not, it's the finish/paint and how you yourself look after the bike, what a crock of shite.

    You mad bro? Bikes with black carbon finishes always look like they need a clean and go dull after a few years especially if you spend a ton of time on the road instead of talking about actually riding lol. My planet X is well grubby nowadays and could do with a respray to cover up the dull patches.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Slowandsteady wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    Lol.



    Lol.



    Really!
    download_zps9117383b.jpg

    Yooze butthurt brah?
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    pride4ever wrote:
    Bozman wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    What the hell does the material a bike is made from have to do with whether a bike stays clean or not, it's the finish/paint and how you yourself look after the bike, what a crock of shite.

    You mad bro? Bikes with black carbon finishes always look like they need a clean and go dull after a few years especially if you spend a ton of time on the road instead of talking about actually riding lol. My planet X is well grubby nowadays and could do with a respray to cover up the dull patches.


    I'm not the mad one "bro", you're just talking shite.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Bozman wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    Bozman wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    What the hell does the material a bike is made from have to do with whether a bike stays clean or not, it's the finish/paint and how you yourself look after the bike, what a crock of shite.

    You mad bro? Bikes with black carbon finishes always look like they need a clean and go dull after a few years especially if you spend a ton of time on the road instead of talking about actually riding lol. My planet X is well grubby nowadays and could do with a respray to cover up the dull patches.


    I'm the mad one "bro", I,m just talking shite.

    Indeed Sir.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I presume you mean the bottom of the counter-bore where there appears to be a void in the material? Does look like crappy finishing i.e. at the manufacturing stage - I'd certainly take it to your LBS for a second opinion as the brake coming adrift is a safety issue.
    The worst case is a DIY repair - there are some good filled epoxies from the likes of Carbonology that would better than the stuff from the DIY store - I've used them to repair cracks and chunks out of my carbon wheels
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    pride4ever wrote:
    Bozman wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    DavidJB wrote:
    pride4ever wrote:
    I wouldnt worry about this but then again when you spend way over the odds for Carbon products I guess you fairly expect perfection.

    Jealous much?

    Of what, having an hole in his carbon lol? Everyone and his uncle has a carbon bike, its 2013 ffs lol. Mine is no different, scratched and dirty looking most of the time. I bought mine for the lightness but it never looks as clean as my alloy bikes. Just a fact of Carbon ive learnt to live with. My next one will be a full gloss paint finish though.

    What the hell does the material a bike is made from have to do with whether a bike stays clean or not, it's the finish/paint and how you yourself look after the bike, what a crock of shite.

    You mad bro? Bikes with black carbon finishes always look like they need a clean and go dull after a few years especially if you spend a ton of time on the road instead of talking about actually riding lol. My planet X is well grubby nowadays and could do with a respray to cover up the dull patches.

    Well where you go wrong is keeping you bike more than 1 season... :shock:
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    To be fair, any matt finish is hard to keep looking nice (and it isn't as though you can polish scratches out without turning it gloss) but, on the other hand, any gloss finish should be able to stay looking smart whether carbon, steel or alloy. My Ribble still looks perfectly smart. It's not about the material - just about looking after it and not leaning the top tube against things etc.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • lawrences
    lawrences Posts: 1,011
    Strangely large bunch of people who haven't got round to putting pride4ever on the ignore list yet...
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    Yup, it is always interesting to see people just complain about something rather than doing something about it.

    I hope this post was informative to the OP :)

    only joking, I would definitely say take the bike to a LBS and have it looked at. For the sake of a few pound petrol or what have you, I think some peace of mind would be good!
    My London Road
  • bus_ter
    bus_ter Posts: 337
    Monty Dog wrote:
    I presume you mean the bottom of the counter-bore where there appears to be a void in the material? Does look like crappy finishing i.e. at the manufacturing stage - I'd certainly take it to your LBS for a second opinion as the brake coming adrift is a safety issue.
    The worst case is a DIY repair - there are some good filled epoxies from the likes of Carbonology that would better than the stuff from the DIY store - I've used them to repair cracks and chunks out of my carbon wheels

    Thank you for one of the few helpful replies Monty Dog. Looking at it more closely it could be a finishing issue as the area around it looks like yellow/brown 'epoxy?' rather than a painted finish. Possibly it's been like that since new, it looks fine from an outside glance, you have to look closely and illuminate the area to see the 'hole'.

    The frame is a Ribble New Sportive, so others with the same frame might want to check theirs is ok. I've emailed the company with a photo, will let you know their response.
  • Tom Dean
    Tom Dean Posts: 1,723
    Looks to me like it would have come out of the factory like that, just a poor finish rather than damage. I wouldn't be worried about it.
  • bus_ter
    bus_ter Posts: 337
    I have a reply from Ribble Cycles,

    "Our returns department staff have viewed the photo you sent and do not perceive this to be a structural issue that will affect the integrity of the frame."

    I'm not going to take it any further at this point, I will carry on riding.. I shall update this thread if anything further comes from this in the future.

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