Did I ruin my carbon fiber frame?
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Did I ruin my carbon fiber frame?
A few days ago I pulled the wheels off my CX bike to swap some different tires on and discovered a scuff/scrape on the inside of the non-drive-side chain stay that is around an inch long, just forward of the disc brake caliper. It's about an inch forward of the disc, so it's possible this happened when removing/installing the rear wheel at some point, or has happened gradually over time from removing/reinstalling the rear wheel (the bike is 3 years old, the wheels get removed frequently to swap tires and wheelsets). When I'm inserting the rear wheel it seems like the disc could briefly rub on this spot. Has anyone seen this before on a disc brake bike?
This bike has also been through a handful of muddy CX and gravel rides/races so it's possible something got jammed in there and scraped it, but it seems like a weird spot for that to happen (and I don't remember anything like this happening) so I'm assuming it's from the disc when removing or installing the rear wheel.
I have no idea how long it's been there, but I'm wondering what others think - is this a cause for concern, or just an aesthetic blemish that I don't need to worry about? I don't see any carbon fibers sticking out or signs of cracks or anything like that, but the paint layer is definitely scraped off. Should I add some tape over it to protect it in the future? Or just wrap some electrical tape around it and fire-sale it on FB marketplace before it assplodes?
I'm planning to take it to my LBS to see what they think, but figured I'd check with the experts on BF as well just to get some additional data points.

This bike has also been through a handful of muddy CX and gravel rides/races so it's possible something got jammed in there and scraped it, but it seems like a weird spot for that to happen (and I don't remember anything like this happening) so I'm assuming it's from the disc when removing or installing the rear wheel.
I have no idea how long it's been there, but I'm wondering what others think - is this a cause for concern, or just an aesthetic blemish that I don't need to worry about? I don't see any carbon fibers sticking out or signs of cracks or anything like that, but the paint layer is definitely scraped off. Should I add some tape over it to protect it in the future? Or just wrap some electrical tape around it and fire-sale it on FB marketplace before it assplodes?
I'm planning to take it to my LBS to see what they think, but figured I'd check with the experts on BF as well just to get some additional data points.


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Looks fine. Very robust area for a bicycle, least of your worries. Get ready for the usual, tap with a penny, take it to a shop ask for ultrasound analysis, etc. The final conclusion will be the typical "this is why I ride steel".
I just noticed you are a member since 2006 and you turn to this forum for a reasonable response you are not aware of for a scuffed carbon frame?
I just noticed you are a member since 2006 and you turn to this forum for a reasonable response you are not aware of for a scuffed carbon frame?
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Structural integrity looks intact. Paint, not so much. Ride it, but keep an eye on things. Could put some paint protection film on it to stop any further abrasion.
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scuffing
usable as mentioned but depreciation$$$ took a hit.
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Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch.
Arthur: A SCRATCH? Your arm's off!
Black Knight: No it isn't!
Arthur: Well what's that then? (pointing to the arm lying on the ground)
Black Knight: I've had worse.
Arthur: You LIAR!
Black Knight: Come on, you pansy!
Arthur: A SCRATCH? Your arm's off!
Black Knight: No it isn't!
Arthur: Well what's that then? (pointing to the arm lying on the ground)
Black Knight: I've had worse.
Arthur: You LIAR!
Black Knight: Come on, you pansy!
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Looks like only paint damage with either residual paint on, or light scuffing, of the epoxy layer underneath, so should not affect function.
Not sure it is actually caused by the rotor though; damaged spot seems too far forward?
Not sure it is actually caused by the rotor though; damaged spot seems too far forward?
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Is it possible for the rotor to touch there when the wheel is being put on the bike?
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If it's a 56 you need to send it to me for proper disposal .... don't risk your life on an unsafe bike.
Otherwise, continue to ride it hard.
Otherwise, continue to ride it hard.
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My shop is doing an overhaul on the bike (unrelated to this) and will do a more thorough inspection on the frame once they strip it down, but they didn't seem too worried about this.
They said this appeared to be surface/paint damage only. It is likely caused by me being careless when removing and/or re-inserting the rear wheel and the rotor is contacting the stay, scratching it a little each time - so over time it's scuffed up that spot and worn off the paint. This is apparently common (according to them) and they said they've seen other carbon/disc bikes with similar scuffs.
I will admit that I can be a little rough on my equipment so I'll be more mindful when removing/inserting my rear wheel in the future, and will probably add some tape to this spot to try to limit any future damage.
If they come back with any more info I'll update the thread.
They said this appeared to be surface/paint damage only. It is likely caused by me being careless when removing and/or re-inserting the rear wheel and the rotor is contacting the stay, scratching it a little each time - so over time it's scuffed up that spot and worn off the paint. This is apparently common (according to them) and they said they've seen other carbon/disc bikes with similar scuffs.
I will admit that I can be a little rough on my equipment so I'll be more mindful when removing/inserting my rear wheel in the future, and will probably add some tape to this spot to try to limit any future damage.
If they come back with any more info I'll update the thread.
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#12
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Oh no! Don't ride it or it was assplode, LOL!
Seriously, that just looks like paint was taken off. Nothing to worry about. Just ride it and don't look at that area!
Seriously, that just looks like paint was taken off. Nothing to worry about. Just ride it and don't look at that area!
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My shop is doing an overhaul on the bike (unrelated to this) and will do a more thorough inspection on the frame once they strip it down, but they didn't seem too worried about this.
They said this appeared to be surface/paint damage only. It is likely caused by me being careless when removing and/or re-inserting the rear wheel and the rotor is contacting the stay, scratching it a little each time - so over time it's scuffed up that spot and worn off the paint. This is apparently common (according to them) and they said they've seen other carbon/disc bikes with similar scuffs.
I will admit that I can be a little rough on my equipment so I'll be more mindful when removing/inserting my rear wheel in the future, and will probably add some tape to this spot to try to limit any future damage.
If they come back with any more info I'll update the thread.
They said this appeared to be surface/paint damage only. It is likely caused by me being careless when removing and/or re-inserting the rear wheel and the rotor is contacting the stay, scratching it a little each time - so over time it's scuffed up that spot and worn off the paint. This is apparently common (according to them) and they said they've seen other carbon/disc bikes with similar scuffs.
I will admit that I can be a little rough on my equipment so I'll be more mindful when removing/inserting my rear wheel in the future, and will probably add some tape to this spot to try to limit any future damage.
If they come back with any more info I'll update the thread.
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They said this appeared to be surface/paint damage only. It is likely caused by me being careless when removing and/or re-inserting the rear wheel and the rotor is contacting the stay, scratching it a little each time - so over time it's scuffed up that spot and worn off the paint. .
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Yes honey, it's totally ruined. I can't believe it either. The shop says the supply chain stuff is really crazy and they have no inventory, but they made some calls for me and managed to find this S-Works Aethos in my size which I'll have to make do with for now.
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Im sure you can slum it for a while.
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S-Works? Honey, I need some new clothes. I'm sure you will be just as happy on a used Huffy. 🤣
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Personally, I wouldn't settle for the Aethos when the new 2023 Scott Foil Ultimate can be had for just $2000 more.
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