Help! Found a Fissure on frame

WallSt

Hi Everyone!

Has anyone suffered a fissure like this? Should I worry. It's a Bianchi heat treated aluminium frame. Seems unusual.

Thanks

cooldad

Yes, that's a crack in a place you don't want a crack. You might be able to have it repaired, otherwise the frame is toast.
I wouldn't ride it.

WallSt

cooldad wrote:

Yes, that's a crack in a place you don't want a crack. You might be able to have it repaired, otherwise the frame is toast.
I wouldn't ride it.

Dam that sucks!

imposter2.0

If the bike is still in warranty (or even if it isn't by much), you might have a claim...

WallSt

Imposter wrote:

If the bike is still in warranty (or even if it isn't by much), you might have a claim...

Sadly out of Bianchi warranty.

ayjaycee

Sadly, that does look like bad news and more than just a crack in the paintwork. Have you looked at it from the other side by taking the fork off? Personally, I wouldn't ride it until I had confirmed that it was not a proper frame crack and, probably, sought a professional opinion.

You say that it is out of warranty but what was that originally? Some firms give a lifetime warranty on their frames, usually to the original owner only, but I don't know whether Bianchi is one of them. If they are not, I would think seriously before buying another Bianchi as a replacement!

Garry H

Can't see why that couldn't be fixed by one of the carbon repair companies. I've seen some pretty amazing jobs.

joe2008

Garry H wrote:

Can't see why that couldn't be fixed by one of the carbon repair companies. I've seen some pretty amazing jobs.

It's an aluminium frame

ugo.santalucia

Worth contacting retailer and Bianchi, even if it is outside warranty, they might replace it. They did it for a friend of mine years back... and it was a Bianchi aluminium frame

sloppyschleckonds

Garry H wrote:

Can't see why that couldn't be fixed by one of the carbon repair companies. I've seen some pretty amazing jobs.

Duct tape. You may die, but at least you won't see that horrible crack all the time.

bbrap

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Can't see why that couldn't be fixed by one of the carbon repair companies. I've seen some pretty amazing jobs.

Duct tape. You may die, but at least you won't see that horrible crack all the time.

Or use a large jubilee clip to hold it together, we all die, maybe just a little earlier than planned. Seriously, get back to Bianchi and see what they say. It can be repaired by a competent welder but will require machining and refinishing which will not be cheap (if done properly). Given the nature of alloy, cracks can start spreading very quickly leading to a major failure. As others have said, given the location don't ride it.

fenix

joe2008 wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Can't see why that couldn't be fixed by one of the carbon repair companies. I've seen some pretty amazing jobs.

It's an aluminium frame

keef66

That's a bloody strange place for a crack to appear on a road bike. I'd have thought the upper headset area was one of the lowest stressed, no?

If you've owned it from new it might still be worth trying Bianchi; that kind of failure could indicate it was a manufacturing defect.

imafatman

That's dodgy. You don't want that failing at any point during a ride.

As far as warranty is concerned you have 6 years under consumer sales act or whatever it's called these days. I would say this counts as not being fit for purpose.

dee4life2005

Have you had the headset replaced recently?
I'm sure I've heard of similar before with press-fit headset bearings not being put in square when fitting, which caused excess pressure resulting in a crack.

timothyw

Joking aside, a carbon repair shop could probably do a fairly neat job of wrapping carbon fibre around the head tube to reinforce the alu, then painting it up to match the frame.

I think that's often the way that Alu is repaired anyway. If you weld it you just risk introducing more weakness.

Ultimately might just be time to put that frame to bed.

cooldad

dee4life2005 wrote:

Have you had the headset replaced recently?
I'm sure I've heard of similar before with press-fit headset bearings not being put in square when fitting, which caused excess pressure resulting in a crack.

The headset does look a bit skew.

imposter2.0

dee4life2005 wrote:

Have you had the headset replaced recently?
I'm sure I've heard of similar before with press-fit headset bearings not being put in square when fitting, which caused excess pressure resulting in a crack.

Those are not press fit bearings though..

keef66

Imposter wrote:

dee4life2005 wrote:

Have you had the headset replaced recently?
I'm sure I've heard of similar before with press-fit headset bearings not being put in square when fitting, which caused excess pressure resulting in a crack.

Those are not press fit bearings though..

Yep, looks like the cartridge bearings on my Racelight which just drop in to the recess in the headtube. I suppose if they have been in there a while and the outer steel bearing race is corroding along with the alloy seat it could be expanding and weaken it...

I take mine out annually for a good looking at before reassembly with plenty of grease just for peace of mind

WallSt

The bearings etc and internal didn't corrode away. I had a look. It's early on so only on the top through.

I contacted Bianchi and I do know Switzerland has a 5 year policy. If they have an old frame, they may allow a discount priced replacement. Hardly worthwhile if too much, I know I can pick up the same frame for £300-400 with low usuage.

Hoping the retail LBS supports my request, he said he would. However, it's Bianchi wholesalers discretion. He's at the Giro Italia. So awaiting response.

Thanks for your replies. Take a look at this companies solution:-

https://www.gripsport.com.au/photo-albu ... head-tubes

svetty

Assuming you don't get any joy from Bianchi you could always retire it to the turbo...

WallSt

The bike in question:

sloppyschleckonds

I'd go with the jubilee clip option

styxd

Drill a small hole at the end of the crack to stop it spreading further. Cheap and easy fix.

fudgey

If they wont replace the frame drill a 1mm hole at the very end of the crack to stop it spreading.
Do you have/or have any mates with a lathe? If so machine a collar to fit over the top of the head tube.

Somert like this
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=102 ... AjV2keE-jM:


Edit: i only looked at page 1 so didnt see the rely above before my reply..

WallSt

Fudgey wrote:

If they wont replace the frame drill a 1mm hole at the very end of the crack to stop it spreading.
Do you have/or have any mates with a lathe? If so machine a collar to fit over the top of the head tube.

Somert like this
https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=102 ... AjV2keE-jM:


Edit: i only looked at page 1 so didnt see the rely above before my reply..

Yes. My buddy has a laith. Luckily.

davidof

Bit of filler, a Bianchi touch up pen and sell the bike quick.

svetty

WallSt wrote:

The bike in question:

Aaaaah I see now. You didn't mention the flat bar conversion before. Now it makes sense - the bike is trying to reject those bars

fenix

Nature is amazing.

darkhairedlord

collar, job done.

rolf_f

Svetty wrote:

WallSt wrote:

The bike in question:

Aaaaah I see now. You didn't mention the flat bar conversion before. Now it makes sense - the bike is trying to reject those bars

Funnily enough, I didn't spot those bars until you mentioned it. I think my eyes are trying to protect my brain from unpleasant things!

So wot Fenix said!