lineinthewater

I noticed the paint at the very end of the braze-on mating surface (on the frame) was cracking. If I use my fingernail, I could probably peel up about half the size of a penny (I'm not going to touch it).

Do you think this indicates a wider paint problem, with the painting process, on my entire frame?

FBinNY 

Thismis par for the course and very common. The braze-on flexes when the FD is tightened and the paint is too brittle and so cracks or flakes. Usually nobody notices since the affected area is usually hidden, but sometimes (more rarely) the paint will also chip, crack or flake on the more visible front surface.

Touch it up and move on.

lineinthewater

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't know this was a common occurrence.

I can't really just touch it up with a dab of paint. The existing paint has cracked and lifted. It seems the only thing to do is peel off the loose paint, until it has a clean (not lifting) edge. Then, sand lightly and apply paint.

My main concern is preventing the peeling from spreading to the main frame body (assuming it would go that far).

FBinNY 

Generally this doesn't extend far, and I've never seen it move from the FD mount to the frame. Allow yourself a bit of room and use the edge of a file, or sand paper wrapped over a knife to cut a line as a stop, and peel the paint up to there. If it does extend far or off the mount to the frame, I'd say it means the frame wasn't washed or primed properly before painting, so it could be a warranty issue.

I've seen people rebond paint by wicking a drop of superglue under it, and pressing. (don't glue your finger) This doesn't work with all paints, but seems OK with many powder coats, which are the paints most prone to this kind of chipping.

lineinthewater

I have a car that suffered from the same problem, so I'm paranoid of factory painting problems. I'm praying it is not a factory prep issue.

I like the glue idea. I'm not a big fan of superglue. It seems epoxy (i.e. 5-minute) would be more effective. No experience to back it up, just thinking out loud.

Since it's this year's model, I can probably easily pick up some Cannondale touch-up paint .... maybe Cannondale will send me some.

FBinNY 

Since it's a new bike, bring it bck to the bike shop and let them touch it up. Let them know that you're not trying to make a big thing about it if it stays local, but want it documented in case it's part of a pattern, and there's more chipping later. Also take a few photo's and save them. All in all, you're probably OK, but this will give you some measure of protection.

lineinthewater

Very prudent. Thank you for the suggestion. I wasn't planning on doing anything until I showed it to the shop.

pierce

I'd probably use a xacto knife to cut the chip at the limit of the peel, that way more doesn't peel up when you lift the chip.