Is this frame cracked ?

shipley
shipley Posts: 549
edited August 2013 in Workshop
This is my mate's frame. He took it for a service and on collection the shop asked if he knew the frame was cracked :?

The bike is only a year old. Is there any way of checking whether its the paint or the frame beneath that's damaged ? (its a carbon Ribble)

9453128620_41a9ac2d11.jpg

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    How didn't he notice before? You could do the coin test on it or just keep an eye and see if it gets worse
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • shipley
    shipley Posts: 549
    I don't know to be honest.

    What's the coin test ? Noise related ??
  • mattv
    mattv Posts: 992
    For paint to crack like that, something has to be moving. Ribble frames are not the best frames in the world, or the strongest. I would take that to a carbon repair specialist before I rode it.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Get on to Ribble and see what they say, if it is a crack surely it is still under warranty. Bit awkward if he bought it mail order to take it back but if he can then that should be his first call.
    Good luck with it, hope he gets it sorted.
  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    Yeah the coin test is noise related but it's only really a rough guide. IME paint cracks are usually hairline thickness :shock:
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • shipley
    shipley Posts: 549
    Hmm, so it ain't looking good is it :(

    He's on holiday at the moment and I haven't the heart to tell him. It's supposed to be used for a London to Paris at the end of the month.....
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    mattv wrote:
    For paint to crack like that, something has to be moving. Ribble frames are not the best frames in the world, or the strongest. I would take that to a carbon repair specialist before I rode it.

    They may not be the best frames in the world, but there's nothing to suggest that they are more likely to crack than any other carbon frame. What is your assertion that they're not the strongest frames actually based on?
    More problems but still living....
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Looks like impact damage due to being struck with a hard edge - there's unlikely to be a mechanical joint and there's nothing that would create a stress-raiser and lead to the propagation of a crack. Get Ribble to have a look, but if it's impact damage, it's unlikely to be covered by warranty.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    If it is impact there is no way ribble will cover it, could the shop that serviced it be responsible? Although you've probably got more chance of getting sh!t out of a rocking horse than getting them to accept liability after you've taken the bike back.
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • mattv
    mattv Posts: 992
    A very trusted friend with good mechanical cycle knowledge was riding the other week and watched a new ribble snap both fork legs on a flat, smooth road. Ribble bikes are very cheap for what you get, therefore they must cut back somewhere.
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    total rubbish..
    im 18 stone and put 3000 miles on my new sportive.
    it cost £600 and worth every penny.
    still running perfect and in immaculate condition.
    carbon needs to be cared for like any frame its both strong and brittle at the same time .

    how can you say ribble is cheap or crap on a whim... joke.!!!!!
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/881211
  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    Ribble had one batch of gran fondo frames that had a paint flaw that produced cracks down by the mech hanger, other than that they are decent budget frames-plenty of happy users.
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"

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