Potential Crack

a.palmer
a.palmer Posts: 504
edited August 2016 in Road general
Just notice this whilst cleaning my bike. Wondering if anyone has seen anything similar and if it is anything to worry about (and if so, is it likely to be covered by Specialized's lifetime warranty). It looks more like a proper crack in the photos, but it is completely smooth to touch. I haven't crashed or hit any big potholes that are likely to have caused this. At first I thought it might just be a seam in the carbon from manufacturing, but the other side of the fork doesn't have any marks like this on it.

14079506_10153775776266272_84269542208274581_n.jpg?oh=6c338b2c92b5f4781fc8dba906dd9cc1&oe=585CCD89

13938539_10153775776321272_2121438148694655098_n.jpg?oh=2228a49bdb28c25330fa42913fb50c91&oe=5853E0A9

Comments

  • looks like a nasty whack has cracked it.
  • a.palmer
    a.palmer Posts: 504
    I would have thought a heavy whack would mark the paint. This seems to be under the paint and is completely smooth
  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    If you're unsure take it back to your specialized dealer, apparently they are very good at honouring their lifetime warranty
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • a.palmer
    a.palmer Posts: 504
    On closer inspection of the bike, I think it may be a seam in the carbon which is visible where the paint is thinner as I have found similar marks elsewhere.

    This is the inside of the other leg of the fork

    14034917_10153775926081272_5129031541052480574_n.jpg?oh=1d2af96f10ea1a36c25b2e01c353dc76&oe=584F8311

    And this is along the length of the bottom of the downtube

    14067456_10153775926131272_5122664830565647364_n.jpg?oh=50b5205e877dcc680b8d54065cfb80ff&oe=584BBB78
  • It looks like a seam on the carbon, but get an expert opinion
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • AK_jnr
    AK_jnr Posts: 717
    I have a naked carbon frame and I sh1t myself that i'd bought a duff second hand bike as it had these all over it. Haha. Get it checked if it helps with your piece of mind though.
  • Padeye
    Padeye Posts: 38
    These parts are all laid up in two halves in split moulds which are then joined together to bond the the two halves into one part.

    This line is just that join, nothing to worry about!
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    My CR1-SL has these all over the place. I quite like the naked, industrial finish. Think of all the grams of paint you're not lugging around!
  • dinyull
    dinyull Posts: 2,979
    keef66 wrote:
    Think of all the grams of paint you're not lugging around!

    All of 12.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Dinyull wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    Think of all the grams of paint you're not lugging around!

    All of 12.

    Which over on Weight Weenies would run to a 15 page thread :D

    However, weight (of the bike anyway) doesn't concern me at all; I've stuck a heavy leather saddle on it in the interests of comfort...
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    keef66 wrote:
    My CR1-SL has these all over the place. I quite like the naked, industrial finish. Think of all the grams of paint you're not lugging around!
    ^This. My CR1 SL is just the same and has similar marks on the rear of the seat tube and inside of the forks. Very much doubt it's anything to worry about.
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Padeye wrote:
    These parts are all laid up in two halves in split moulds which are then joined together to bond the the two halves into one part.

    This line is just that join, nothing to worry about!
    No, most are made in one part, but the mould has to split to let the frame out, that is the mould split line.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Mine is naked and always look dirty; like I found it in under a pile of gearboxes in a scrap yard.
    Always looks like its de-laminated and im scared to scrub it too hard incase I wear through the non-existent lacquer
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,358
    Mine is naked and always look dirty; like I found it in under a pile of gearboxes in a scrap yard.
    Always looks like its de-laminated and im scared to scrub it too hard incase I wear through the non-existent lacquer

    Lacquering the frame is pretty straightforward...
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • noodleman
    noodleman Posts: 852
    Just because it's matte carbon, doesn't mean it's not lacquered.
    argon 18 e116 2013 Vision Metron 80
    Bianchi Oltre XR Sram Red E-tap, Fulcrum racing speed xlr
    De Rosa SK pininfarina disc
    S Works Tarmac e-tap 2017
    Rose pro sl disc
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I think the real question is. Do YOU trust it? If not get new forks.
  • Padeye
    Padeye Posts: 38
    The Rookie wrote:
    Padeye wrote:
    These parts are all laid up in two halves in split moulds which are then joined together to bond the the two halves into one part.

    This line is just that join, nothing to worry about!
    No, most are made in one part, but the mould has to split to let the frame out, that is the mould split line.

    Agreed. Maybe I wasn't clear. When i say 'laid up', i mean the carbon is laid into the two halves of the mould separately, then the mould is joined together, and the part is made 'as one'.

    When i said the line is that join, i mean the join in the mould, as you said.