Brand New Carbon Frame - Cloudy

Secteur

Hi all,

I have a brand new Hi-Mod Synapse, and have noticed extensive "ghosting" or clouding under the lacquer on all parts of the frame - it almost looks as if there's condensation under the lacquer (there isn't!). It's in very large patches - not just small specks e.g. on the downtube there's a "streak" 3-4cm wide by 20cm long.

I read that these frames should look deep and glossy, with no such ghosting at all.

I am assuming given it's a brand new, high end frame, that this is a normal cosmetic aberration & not a problem (despite spending £3.3k on it!!), however I have read that this discolouration is also a sign of delamination and is a problem.

Please could someone reassure me or advise me either way?

I will try to get some photos up asap.

Adrian.


Sorry no idea why it keeps rotating the photo when I upload it?!

Silly Old Hector

Looks like normal UD carbon lay-up to me, but happy to stand corrected...

southdownswolf

If you bought this from a LBS do they have another in store that you could look at?

Silly Old Hector wrote:

Looks like normal UD carbon lay-up to me, but happy to stand corrected...

If it was normal UD look, then I would have thought the whole bike would look like it, rather than just in patches?

Druidor

new bike take it back as I would consider that a product defect

trooperk

What you see under the lacquer is reflection of the strands, my new BMC carbon frame is worse than that as you can see the joints of the over layering cloth, look normal in low light but under bright light it all looks patchy with the weave going in all directions, if you not happy take it back to the shop and compare it to another bike but you will find it looks the same.

Serious Cat

There is no way on earth I would accept that if I got it brand new from a shop, take it back.

blooworzel

Hi, that is the uni directional carbon you can see through the clear coat. Not a defect.
Not all carbon is weaved giving the criss-crossed effect everyone expects. I have both finishes on my bikes and I prefer the uni directional over the weave. The weaves is often used as a aesthetic layer, but seems to look cheap compared to the uni.

imposter2.0

Serious Cat wrote:

There is no way on earth I would accept that if I got it brand new from a shop, take it back.

Why? There's nothing wrong with it.

sigorman85

Obviously not happy with it otherwise it wouldn't be on here if you don't like what you see take it back no harm in it considering you spent over 3k on it

robbo2011

It is completely normal. This is what carbon fibre looks like under some light conditions, it's just light reflection from the CF strands.

napoleond

It's normal and I think it looks pretty smart

foggymike

Normal. Go and look at some others to put your mind at rest. If another frame is difficult to find locally you can see the same thing on UD carbon bars and seatposts too.

Those saying it's not ok probably think the frame is painted, in which case it would not be normal.

Secteur

Thanks for all the replies.

I suspected it is "normal" given that the frame is
a) brand new
b) the surface feels very smooth with no bubbling etc
c) it is quite extensive, and I think that extent of actual carbon delamination would be almost impossible.

I certainly dont want to return it!

Having never even seen a carbon bike before, yet alone owned one, I just wanted to be reassured it wasnt some freak frame problem.

It rides like a dream and feels stable and stiff, with no creaks (other than occasionallty from the BB30, which I think just needs a few miles to "bed in").

One thing I dont like is the horrible noise carbon frames make when you hit a pothole!!

Secteur

PS I love the stiffness and responsiveness e.g. when pulling away from lights it really "goes" and ont he climbs - wow - I am a pretty good climber anyway, but this thing feels like I am being towed up the hills! LOVE IT!!

greasedscotsman

Does this mean you are going to change your username?

Secteur

greasedscotsman wrote:

Does this mean you are going to change your username?

Haha I know, I did think that! I have kepy my Secteur as my "winter bike" now!

Here she is (headtube to be shortened eventually);

rickeverett

Horrible noise carbon make hitting a pot hole ????? What???? Better get that checked out.


I was looking at a BMC in store and its UD carbon areas looked like they were wrapped in plastic with air bubbles everywhere.
Looks horrible IMO.

Never seen it in big patches though.

Secteur

rickeverett wrote:

Horrible noise carbon make hitting a pot hole ????? What???? Better get that checked out.

Haha no, there's no cracks or anything!

My aluminium framed secteur banged over the potholes without much grief, but the carbon makes a horrible "hollow" sort of rattling sound - it's just the souond echoing through the frame.

I am much more cautious to avoid the potholes now!

chris_bass

Secteur wrote:

rickeverett wrote:

Horrible noise carbon make hitting a pot hole ????? What???? Better get that checked out.

Haha no, there's no cracks or anything!

My aluminium framed secteur banged over the potholes without much grief, but the carbon makes a horrible "hollow" sort of rattling sound - it's just the souond echoing through the frame.

I am much more cautious to avoid the potholes now!

that's odd,having ridden a secteur and carbon bikes I have always found carbon bikes much more forgiving and quieter over poor surfaces.

you could always try cycling around potholes rather than straight over them!

keef66

Chris Bass wrote:

Secteur wrote:

rickeverett wrote:

Horrible noise carbon make hitting a pot hole ????? What???? Better get that checked out.

Haha no, there's no cracks or anything!

My aluminium framed secteur banged over the potholes without much grief, but the carbon makes a horrible "hollow" sort of rattling sound - it's just the souond echoing through the frame.

I am much more cautious to avoid the potholes now!

that's odd,having ridden a secteur and carbon bikes I have always found carbon bikes much more forgiving and quieter over poor surfaces.

you could always try cycling around potholes rather than straight over them!

That's been my experience too going from an alu bike to a lightweight carbon one; the CR1 ia a lot smoother and quieter over the rough stuff. Does your bike have internal cabling that's rattling inside the tubes? (mine's all external, which is where I like it)

bianchimoon

The Chorus carbon cranks have the same look as described, must admit when I first bought some it confused me, as the pattern changes totally depending on the angle you view from

Secteur

keef66 wrote:

That's been my experience too going from an alu bike to a lightweight carbon one; the CR1 ia a lot smoother and quieter over the rough stuff. Does your bike have internal cabling that's rattling inside the tubes? (mine's all external, which is where I like it)

Good point - yes it's possibly the internal cabling. Also, I think the bottle cages casue some degree of noise too.

I'm not bothered by it, but I am just very aware that my bike makes odd loud noises when going over big bumps, more so than the alu bike did by some margin!

Jon_1976

My Carbon bike (Mekk) looks the same. Didnt noticed in the shop, but in the right light it shows up on verious places. Didnt really bother me but your bike is vastly better than mine, but I'd say its normal.

wishitwasallflat

Taking another angle but I reckon your question has been well and truly answered - how do you find the change in riding position coming from a Secteur? I ride a Secteur but dream of a CF upgrade and wonder if I am stuck with a Roubaix as I really like the Secteur geometry. Would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

Secteur

wishitwasallflat wrote:

Taking another angle but I reckon your question has been well and truly answered - how do you find the change in riding position coming from a Secteur? I ride a Secteur but dream of a CF upgrade and wonder if I am stuck with a Roubaix as I really like the Secteur geometry. Would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

Well I removed all the spacers from under the stem on my Secteur, so it was a pretty low position.

The cannondale is a little higher, but is super comfy.

To be honest, I am the sort of rider than just adapts instants to any change in position - I can change my cleat, bar or saddle posisiton and it never seems to make any negative impact to me, I can just get on with it and feel the same, so for me the position isnt the greatest change - it's the change from heavy alu to stiff, light carbon - and it's amazing!

wishitwasallflat

Cheers

djhermer

I had a hi-mod supersix in black. Had exactly the same cloudy look as yours. Perfectly normal. I think it made it look ace.

Secteur

Secteur wrote:

keef66 wrote:

That's been my experience too going from an alu bike to a lightweight carbon one; the CR1 ia a lot smoother and quieter over the rough stuff. Does your bike have internal cabling that's rattling inside the tubes? (mine's all external, which is where I like it)

Good point - yes it's possibly the internal cabling. Also, I think the bottle cages casue some degree of noise too.

I'm not bothered by it, but I am just very aware that my bike makes odd loud noises when going over big bumps, more so than the alu bike did by some margin!

Update - it's amazing the noise that can be caused by a headset which is a 1/4 turn too loose! Nipped it up before todays ride, and found the bike to be perfect - not a single noise this time. It's always the most simple of things!

Secteur

wishitwasallflat wrote:

Taking another angle but I reckon your question has been well and truly answered - how do you find the change in riding position coming from a Secteur? I ride a Secteur but dream of a CF upgrade and wonder if I am stuck with a Roubaix as I really like the Secteur geometry. Would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

Further update for you - I just did 70 miles on the carbon synapse, and felt so fresh by the end - same with my two 55 mile rides last weekend. With the secteur I'd be pretty exhausted by 50 miles - the synapse makes a massive difference to reduce fatigue - presumably in part because it's lighter, but mostly because of the geometry. I just cannot fault it, and would suggest to not hesitate for one second to upgrade!

Once I get the steerer cut by 10-15mm, it really will be my perfect bike - everything just feels so nice about it - stiff, light, powerful - should have upgraded years ago!