Carbon frame crack

langtounboy

I was getting so much creaking from by bottom bracket when I was standing on the pedals; so I swapped it for new.
This didn’t stop the creaking & I think I know why.
Looking at the picture I’m thinking these cracks are the source of the creaks.
Is my frame beyond repair?

ugo.santalucia

I don't see any crack, it seems the paint has flaked off, which is not a structural problem and certainly not the reason for the BB creaking

MattFalle

yup, same as Ugo

hav you checked cleats, chain ring bolts, pedals?

langtounboy

I thought it was a little thick to be just paint.
I’d already checked the chainrings etc.

ugo.santalucia

Yes, paint is thick, if you strip it off, the frame gets about 100g lighter!

sw19carpenters

Those ultegra cranks creak apparently if they separate a little bit.
Not sure what crank you have though.
On an old bike my crank arm had movement which in turn ruined the shimano saint pedal bearing on one side which caused a creak.

masjer

With so much flaky paint, it could be the alloy sleeve (that the BB threads into) that has come unbonded.

exlaser

Strip it all down and check it all out. If you cannot do that , pay an expert to do it for you .

trevor.hall12

Could also try pedal/cleats too
As suggested stripping it down again and checking every component is the best way

crescent

If you have the correct BB removal tool then it is easy to strip it down as suggested above. If there is nothing wrong with it then at least you will have the chance to reassemble it again and you can reapply thread lubricant. Try plumber's thread tape on the BB threads before you tighten it all up again.
Just another suggestion, regarding the source of the creak. These things are notoriously difficult to pin down and could be coming from a number of places. You say it happens when you get out the saddle, it could be something as obscure as your handlebar/stem arrangement. If you're out the saddle you will likely be pushing/pulling on the handlebars a bit more - it is feasible that the creak could be coming from there.

MattFalle

exlaser said:

Strip it all down and check it all out. If you cannot do that , pay an expert to do it for you .

eh?

pay an "expert"?

its a bicycle.

take bit of. lube bit. put bit back on.

if cleats are worn take off old cleats. put new cleats on.

who would be an "expert" at this by the way?

MattFalle

crescent said:

If you have the correct BB removal tool then it is easy to strip it down as suggested above. If there is nothing wrong with it then at least you will have the chance to reassemble it again and you can reapply thread lubricant. Try plumber's thread tape on the BB threads before you tighten it all up again.
Just another suggestion, regarding the source of the creak. These things are notoriously difficult to pin down and could be coming from a number of places. You say it happens when you get out the saddle, it could be something as obscure as your handlebar/stem arrangement. If you're out the saddle you will likely be pushing/pulling on the handlebars a bit more - it is feasible that the creak could be coming from there.

yup, deffo deffo a possibility.

start at front, work way back.

its a chance to also check skewers, etc. only takes 30 seconds but its something rlse off your mind.

remember that an easy way to check things like wheels is merely to take out existing one and swap with another.

redvision

As above.

Although everyone has forgotten the first step...clean the frame!

langtounboy

Thanks for all the replies:
in order
1. Chainrings pedals and cleats all checked and good.
2. It is 105 cranks so shouldn't have the same issues as the ultegra.
3. BB removed, greased, removed again and PTFE tape applied still creaking.
4. Skewers, bars, shifters, stem all good torqued with carbon paste.
5.

redvision said:

As above.

Although everyone has forgotten the first step...clean the frame!

I'd just given it a quick wipe over with oily rag
6.

masjer said:

With so much flaky paint, it could be the alloy sleeve (that the BB threads into) that has come unbonded.

This is what i think it is; the frame is almost 20 years old and has done a fair few 1000 miles. I think its new bike time but it does have sentimental value.

masjer

If that is the problem, carbon repair companies might be able to restore it. It probably won't be economical.

https://carbonbikerepair.co.uk/wp/?p=1161

DeVlaeminck

When that happened to mine it went suddenly without creaking - that's not to say it would always follow that pattern. I did get mine glued back in (under warranty) and it's been fine since.