Giant Trance 1 Advanced First Ride Damage

Jb1000
Jb1000 Posts: 7
edited April 2019 in MTB general
So first ride out on my Giant Trance 1 Advanced (carbon frame) and somehow this impact damage occurs on the seat tube near the bottom bracket. Don't remember hearing anything untoward but something must have happened. I was only riding fairly sedately in my local woods, 6 years on my aluminium bike and not a single mark in the same location on the frame, gutted. I now need to get it's integrity checked out before continuing to use - did someone say should have not bothered with a carbon frame!!! I know you can't be to precious with a MTB bike but come on my first ride out!! Anyone else had this kind of bad luck??

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9GeKSBZWuCh4Gdu29

Comments

  • steve_sordy
    steve_sordy Posts: 2,453
    It sure looks like impact from a stone, poor you!

    Is the bike brand new?

    If it is a used one, is there any sign at all that this was previous damage that has been patched up?

    There are companies the specialise in repairing damaged carbon fibre items. Fortunately I have not used any of them, but someone on another forum has done so and provided these links. I cannot give any recco either way, you must make your own enquires.

    Here's one:
    https://www.fibre-lyte.co.uk/fl/fl_frame_repairs.html

    Here's another:
    https://carbonbikerepair.co.uk/wp/

    Best of luck. Please let us all know how you got on.
  • Jb1000
    Jb1000 Posts: 7
    It is brand new, went for a 2018 model as I got a discount - literally the first ever ride out.
  • Jb1000
    Jb1000 Posts: 7
    Forgot to say I am off to carbonbikerepair.co.uk tomorrow.
  • JBA
    JBA Posts: 2,852
    That looks like impact damage caused by overtravel of the rear suspension.
    Have you set the pressure in the shock correctly?
    “Life has been unfaithful
    And it all promised so so much”

    Giant Trance 2 27.5 2016 ¦ Sonder Broken Road 2021¦ Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2019 ¦ Giant Toughtroad SLR 1 2019 ¦ Giant Anthem 3 2015 ¦ Specialized Myka Comp FSR 2009
  • larkim
    larkim Posts: 2,485
    Check your credit card in case there is accidental damage cover included - some do - within the first 30 days etc.

    Bad luck though, hope any repair etc is effective and cheap!
    2015 Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 (son #1's)
    2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
    2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
    2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
    2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
    2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)
  • steve_sordy
    steve_sordy Posts: 2,453
    JBA wrote:
    That looks like impact damage caused by overtravel of the rear suspension.
    Have you set the pressure in the shock correctly?

    That is a very good point to check. It should be impossible for the rear suspension to overtravel, even if the shock has no air in it. The design of the bike and selection of the shock should prevent the frame from making contact with the rear triangle. Let all the air out and compress the bike. No part of the rear triangle should touch the main frame. Most bikes are symmetrical and if it is overtravel damage, then I would have expected the damage to be on both sides. But one sided damage doesn't mean it isn't overtravel!

    If the wrong shock was fitted (ie too short, or too much travel) then it is not your fault!
  • swod1
    swod1 Posts: 1,639
    Something not right there, have you checked the bike for loose pivots on the suspension linkage etc.

    but being a new bike surely all the pivot bolts etc would have been checked by the factory/bike shop when it was built.

    Already said but you did put air into the rear shock before riding?
  • Jb1000
    Jb1000 Posts: 7
    Update...

    No accidental cover on my credit card!

    With no air in the shock the lower seat tube does not impact on any other frame parts, as you would expect. So the bike is not impacting on itself even if the air pressure in the shock was not at its optimum when delivered.

    Carbon Bike Repair basically just said I should have it repaired due to carbon being visible, during the process they would obviously check for any further damage with their gadgets. Minimum cost for that, including strip down, rebuild and paint would be £500.

    Anyway the plot thickens, whilst mulling over having it repaired I noticed a crack just below where the rear suspension connection to the carbon front triangle is - see picture link.



    https://photos.app.goo.gl/PdtjkaNSi9EpCb7W7

    So now starts the journey of returning the bike and having it investigated. Even if I was so unlucky to have a rock hit the down tube and damage the paint without me noticing on my first ride in fairly sedate conditions this second issue makes me more sure than ever that something is not right.
  • steve_sordy
    steve_sordy Posts: 2,453
    Jb1000 wrote:
    ..........With no air in the shock the lower seat tube does not impact on any other frame parts, as you would expect. ................

    I would not expect it.

    Bad luck about the other stuff! It sure doesn't look like a stone chip does it?

    Best wishes for future resolution.
  • swod1
    swod1 Posts: 1,639
    Jb1000 wrote:
    Update...
    Anyway the plot thickens, whilst mulling over having it repaired I noticed a crack just below where the rear suspension connection to the carbon front triangle is - see picture link.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/PdtjkaNSi9EpCb7W7

    So now starts the journey of returning the bike and having it investigated. Even if I was so unlucky to have a rock hit the down tube and damage the paint without me noticing on my first ride in fairly sedate conditions this second issue makes me more sure than ever that something is not right.

    Lets hope that goes in your favour and it turns out to be a frame fault in manufacture.
  • Hello,

    I would like to know how you solved your problem with your trance advanced, I have exactly the same bike, and stones are getting stuck at the same point almost every time I ride, I’m afraid my frame will be damaged.