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Cracks on Rear Dropouts?

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Old 01-03-12, 10:55 PM
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Cracks on Rear Dropouts?

I was wiping my bike today and noticed what is possibly a crack on the rear dropouts. You might have a zoom in to see it better. Thanks.







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Old 01-03-12, 11:04 PM
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Doesn't look like a crack, more like a manufacturing flaw. I personally would not worry about it.
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Old 01-03-12, 11:06 PM
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Are you sure they're new, or is this just the first time you've noticed them?
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Old 01-03-12, 11:09 PM
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yeah, it looks like a manufacturing defect.
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Old 01-03-12, 11:09 PM
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I got the bike used so I don't know if it was there when I got it. But I think I remember seeing it the last time I was cleaning my bike.
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Old 01-03-12, 11:13 PM
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What do you suggest I do? Should I talk to my LBS? This is going to bug me...
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Old 01-03-12, 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by in0va3
Should I talk to my LBS?
yes.

agree with the other guys though.
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Old 01-04-12, 12:58 AM
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Is the 'crack' painted over, with the same finish as the original bike? If so, then it has been there since the bike was painted, i.e. it's made that way. Otherwise it's happened since it was painted, i.e. it's damaged. Just an idea.

Also ...

Originally Posted by in0va3
What do you suggest I do? Should I talk to my LBS? This is going to bug me...
Originally Posted by climber7
yes.
... this.
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Old 01-04-12, 07:20 AM
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Looks like it's been that way since day 1. Sloppy manufacturing.
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Old 01-04-12, 07:55 AM
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It has the same defect on each drop, and each one looks to be paint filled, so my guess is that it is a factory flaw. I would not be concerned, but keep an eye on them and make sure they do not spread.

You can check with the bike shop,but seeing how you bought it used the manufacturer is not going to warranty it for you.
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Old 01-04-12, 08:03 AM
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Casting defect. Have it looked at for peace of mind but otherwise ride on.
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Old 01-04-12, 08:43 AM
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Many years ago I had a cracked drop out happen on my Schwinn le Tour and Schwinn gave me a new frame. It broke without warning but I saw it before riding further. I would proceed with caution if left alone. You could probably have a welder fix it but would be noticeable and need paint after. Be careful out there.
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Old 01-04-12, 08:56 AM
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Gonna show my lack of knowledge in the manufacturing process. Are these cast pieces? If so, would other owners of same make/model/year have similar markings? Post your details and see if anyone else has the same markings.
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Old 01-04-12, 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by PhotoJoe
Gonna show my lack of knowledge in the manufacturing process. Are these cast pieces? If so, would other owners of same make/model/year have similar markings? Post your details and see if anyone else has the same markings.
Good catch on that, they look cast to me also. I had forgot to mention the Schwinn Le Tour cracked along the bend or form line from the die.
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Old 01-04-12, 09:59 AM
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What frame is that? It looks like bad castings. My old Schwinn Super Sport cracked a dropout in that same spot (forged Tange i think) and I continued to ride/race it until the replacement frame arrived. You can talk to the LBS so they know about it but I doubt they would do anything unless it breaks.
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Old 01-04-12, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Homebrew01
Looks like it's been that way since day 1. Sloppy manufacturing.
Fuggedaboudit
Ride it.
+1.

Poor quality isnt always a warranty issue.
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Old 01-04-12, 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by miamijim
+1.

Poor quality isnt always a warranty issue.
Catastrophic failure w/possible injury would be
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Old 01-04-12, 10:11 AM
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After enlarging the images, they look more like tool marks than casting flaws. The right and left dropouts are not the same so they didn't come from the same die. To have two different dies with flaws on them and not be noticed by the manufacturer during quality control doesn't sound probable, especially on brand name bikes. Both markings are definitely different and may have been put there by someone using the holes as a fulcrum point for whatever reason during a repair. If known, contact the previous owner and see if they can tell you where the marks came from. I would take it to an aluminum shop before I took it to an LBS as they would be able to give you better information on whether that would cause a problem down the road.
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Old 01-08-12, 03:40 PM
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I had no idea you guys responded because it didn't forward to my email. Sorry! To answer some of your questions, it's a 2003 Specialized Allez Elite Cr-Mo 27. I"ll try contacting the previous owner and go see a LBS for suggestions too.
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