Typically the more expensive/exclusive the item is the more likely any failure /flaw will be talked about. So while common 1020 steel frame may have seen greater numbers of frame failures then bonded frames have over the decades far more steel frames have been made then bonded. But we're likely to hear much more about bonded failures.


A common reason that a bonded joint fails is the lack of prep, planning, adhesive choice. Frame materials can galvanicly react to each other without the proper surface prep and joint design. Surface corrosion can creep in and under an adhesive, on the tube or socket surface, and cause adhesion loss. Fit up tolerances can be too far from needed ones and adhesive starts to become a structural member. To name the paths to failure that I think of.


While different joining/production methods do offer different results (weight, aero contours, material options) they also shift the frame production land scape. Sometimes these changes are not in the best for riders or the bike shops that service them. I could go off on a rant but I won't. Andy.