cracked paint or frame?

Can't see from the photo but there is a mechanical joint between the rear stays and the drop-out - consequently there will be some micro-movements / flexion in use and because paint is relatively brittle, hairline cracks will appear. Likewise, you may also get the same where aluminium lugs are bonded into the carbon frame tubes. There is a reason why clear coat is popular for carbon frames.

Phone Ribble. It's a common issue with a particular batch. They'll send it to Dedaccai and have the area repainted or the frame changed. Mines heading to Preston as I type this!

macsdiving@gmail.com wrote:

Thanks Rolf,

Do you know any further details on the fault? Is it purely cosmetic or problem with the frame itself?

I guess this is an advert for using my LBS to purchase my bike! - I fear the hassle factor is going to be rather large !

Cheers,

Mine first cracked about May last year - I'd probably been riding it regularly for a couple of months. The cracks grew until August and have been stable since. I've done about 5000 miles on it. According to Ribble the cracks are purely cosmetic but they recommend checking.

As for hassle - I had a right load of that with Parcelforce delivering the bike box to return it and then sorting a pickup. And I didn't enjoy packing it (in retrospect I probably should have just driven over to Preston) but Ribble themselves have been spot on about it. Some people end up with new frames, some with the back end repainted (someone is selling one of those now - I think it is on here). I think that takes a couple of months though (I should have sent mine off sooner!).

You have a two year guarantee on the frame so you could continue to use it over the summer. Either way, call them now and see what they say.

macsdiving@gmail.com wrote:

I just got an email back from them confirming that it is purely cosmetic.

I have had it for around 2 years - so I guess out of warranty anyway. Besides I live now in Switzerland - I can't image the hassle it would be!

Bike number 2 is being put back in the shed tomorrow morning!

Thanks for your posts - really helped!

Mike

No probs. Would be interesting to know how they'd react to the age of the bike - as a known issue, you'd hope they would offer the fix anyway particularly but I'd agree it may not be worth the hassle. Not sure I've done the right thing sending mine back tbh!

I've been through the same process with Ribble but decided against sending back the bike. The 1st crack appeared after about 3 months riding but did not seem to creep any further. As they had assured me that it was not structural and my back wheel was not about to fall off I decided to tackle the issue myself. I used an "arctic white" paint which I had kicking about (its an acrylic used after repairing cracked ceramic toilet bowls and basins), I put a small dab on the underside of the bottom bracket to check for colour and found that it matched perfectly. Once happy with the match I just painted along the crack with a very fine artists brush. The paint seemed to wick into the crack by capiliary action. Once dry I put another thin layer over the crack and left for 24 hours to completely harden before riding. This was done nearly 8 months ago now and the crack does not seem to have reappeared so I deemed the repair a success. Also means that if I get any stone chips I can touch them in with confidence. Hope this helps. Sorry its a bit long for a 1st post but I am a long time lurker :-)

Mike,

The paint is by Cramer, I got the colour wrong in my 1st post, it is Alpine white not Arctic white as I stated. It came from this kit

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/scratch-and ... t-1845-370

Not sure if you can just get the paint on its own. The paint is in a small rattle aerosol so is quite thin, I sprayed some into the lid before using a brush to apply to the frame.

Just had a look on fleabay and it does come up occasionally.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cramer-Kitche ... 256e53e8a2

Cheers

Bill