Cosmetic or compromised?
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,207
Likes: 1,957
Go ahead and do a tap test with a quarter. If tone changes to a lower tone from the surrounding area then there is a problem. That nick looks exactly like the one on a Trek frame I have in the basement. That frame has been compromised on the top tube and is no longer safe to ride.
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 1,027
From: The banks of the River Charles
Bikes: 2025 Black Mountain Cycles Mod Zero, 2025 Surly Ogre, 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX
Nice duvet cover. I’d say take that to an LBS that is familiar with carbon frames for an in person diagnosis. It looks to me like the carbon itself is compromised. But to what extent? It may (or may not) have been damaged enough to pose a problem.
#16
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,384
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Although the OP seems to be treating this like a brain-teaser by providing as little helpful info as possible, I am curious as to how this damage to the toptube happened in crash. In most crashes, the handlebar, pedals, and saddle prevent the TT from contacting anything. So, was another cyclist involved?
#17
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 6
Although the OP seems to be treating this like a brain-teaser by providing as little helpful info as possible, I am curious as to how this damage to the toptube happened in crash. In most crashes, the handlebar, pedals, and saddle prevent the TT from contacting anything. So, was another cyclist involved?
#19
*bows*
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 24
Likes: 8
From: GTA, Ontario
Bikes: Giant Fastroad Advanced 1
I would ride that without hesitation. Worst case scenario, you'll see more cracks developing, etc. It's not just suddenly going to come apart from its current state while you're riding. People here are just way too cautious.
#20
Do the tap test. Do NOT pay any attention to posters saying it's fine after looking at crappy blurry photos. Carbon road bikes are designed to be ridden, not crashed into furniture w/ sharp edges. Carbon mountain bikes are a different story. And OP...please work on your photo skills, I find it amazing that someone can ask for help with a problem and then post crappy photos like this. Come on, at least make an effort.
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 802
Likes: 316
From: Westchester, NY
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 2, Specialized Tarmac SL8 Fact 10r, XDS RS5
Lol typical cyclists, complaining about details and pictures. Yeah, some of those things matter but one look at even these crappy photos the extent of damage is pretty clear cut.
Not what you want to hear but this is one of the big issues I have with carbon. I hate playing the carbon is it a chipped or cracked game.
So no one on the internet can tell you if the bike is compromised and it's highly unlikely you or a LBS will know 100% either way. In theory yeah carbon could be cracked and the paint is acting like a skin where it makes it impossible to visually look for cracks unless you completely sanded it down. You could have it ultrasonically tested or even xrayed but finding and paying for this is hard.
More than likely the bike is fine since most of chips only go to the primer and the bigger chip while at the carbon doesn't; seem to be frayed or jagged. If you feel comfortable doing so I would at the bare minimum seal the area with some sort of topcoat to prevent further paint chips in that area and also protect the carbon from water. A more advanced thing would to fill the pockets with resin, sand, and then possible repaint
With the information that the bike was NOT crashed but fell on furniture, it's VERY unlikely the carbon is actually damaged. Unsightly sure, this would drive me nuts but unless the bike was smashed into the furniture it would appear cosmetic but due indeed at least cover the area with clear coat or try to paint match the area
Not what you want to hear but this is one of the big issues I have with carbon. I hate playing the carbon is it a chipped or cracked game.
So no one on the internet can tell you if the bike is compromised and it's highly unlikely you or a LBS will know 100% either way. In theory yeah carbon could be cracked and the paint is acting like a skin where it makes it impossible to visually look for cracks unless you completely sanded it down. You could have it ultrasonically tested or even xrayed but finding and paying for this is hard.
More than likely the bike is fine since most of chips only go to the primer and the bigger chip while at the carbon doesn't; seem to be frayed or jagged. If you feel comfortable doing so I would at the bare minimum seal the area with some sort of topcoat to prevent further paint chips in that area and also protect the carbon from water. A more advanced thing would to fill the pockets with resin, sand, and then possible repaint
With the information that the bike was NOT crashed but fell on furniture, it's VERY unlikely the carbon is actually damaged. Unsightly sure, this would drive me nuts but unless the bike was smashed into the furniture it would appear cosmetic but due indeed at least cover the area with clear coat or try to paint match the area
Last edited by Jrasero; 03-25-21 at 11:30 AM.








