Is this damage normal for this type of a crash?
#27
Oh do they now.
We don't know the specifics of the OP's crash and likely neither does he, since was flying through the air and all.. That (cheap, generic) top tube might have taken a direct 90-degree hit from something. To generalize from this wreck to "plastic sucks!" is blatantly opportunistic at best.
We don't know the specifics of the OP's crash and likely neither does he, since was flying through the air and all.. That (cheap, generic) top tube might have taken a direct 90-degree hit from something. To generalize from this wreck to "plastic sucks!" is blatantly opportunistic at best.
#28
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From: South Bend IN
Bikes: 1976 FRESCHI, 2004 Crumpton.
#29
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The OP said 30-35 kph, not mph.
#30
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I hope you're ok.
That look excessive based on the fact that it shattered in the middle of the top tube. I've t-boned stuff at greater speed and although I was bent and broken my bike was fine.
If the frame was going to fail I would expect to see a failure at the junctions between the top tube, down tube and head tube but not in the middle of a tube like that. Not at those speeds.
That look excessive based on the fact that it shattered in the middle of the top tube. I've t-boned stuff at greater speed and although I was bent and broken my bike was fine.
If the frame was going to fail I would expect to see a failure at the junctions between the top tube, down tube and head tube but not in the middle of a tube like that. Not at those speeds.

#31
#34
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From: Albuquerque,New Mexico
Bikes: 14 Wilier zero7,13 Fuji Altimira SL,10 Fuji SL1RC,09 Yeti Mtb
Plastic bikes suck. I know all the CF boys will come out and say it ain't so but this kind of failure is crazy. A bike riding buddy of mine works in a Cervelo shop and tells me every week a bike comes in with significant failure from insignificant events. He is appalled, more at how the owner seems to think this is ok. I have a Merlin Titanium CF bike, the tubes are CF and the junctures are Ti. I had a persistent rattling and with a careful inspection found the waterbottle cage cage bolts had torn out of the carbon fiber. Had it repaired and same thing occurred within a couple months. Now I'm wondering when this down tube defect will spread and catastrophically fail on me.
I have an Italian steel frame, Columbus Double butted, that I have been riding for 4 decades, several major crashes, many simple falls and it is still going strong with no problems.
I repeat, plastic bikes suck.
I have an Italian steel frame, Columbus Double butted, that I have been riding for 4 decades, several major crashes, many simple falls and it is still going strong with no problems.
I repeat, plastic bikes suck.
#35
well hello there

Joined: May 2005
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From: Point Loma, CA
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

Probably normal. This is a Parlee the ended up folding in half when two cyclists collided. One was going about 35 mph down hill and the other was whipping a U turn, right in front of him.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#36
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WOw, happy i sold the dengfu frame I had after like a month
the good news is that you can tell the fork is good, that fork stood the crash w/o any problem but either way the frame broke in the weirdest places I ever seen
Interesting.
No road bike is designed to stand crashes, or the weight should go up to the roof, personally I do have an old carbon carrera and that one weights like a ton compared with the new stuff, so probably I won't sell it hehehe
Happy the OP is ok.
the good news is that you can tell the fork is good, that fork stood the crash w/o any problem but either way the frame broke in the weirdest places I ever seen
Interesting.No road bike is designed to stand crashes, or the weight should go up to the roof, personally I do have an old carbon carrera and that one weights like a ton compared with the new stuff, so probably I won't sell it hehehe
Happy the OP is ok.
#37
Passista


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I saw a similarly broken Merida (Specialized) frame. At a MTB race, a nasty crash and pile-up, a guy was ran over by some others. He was ok afterwards except for some road rash, but his frame looked like yours.
#38
Ghost Ryding 24/7
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From: Canada/604
Bikes: Giant Defy with Dura Ace group, & Ksyrium SL's,Specialized Allez Shimano mixed/mashed,2011 Opus Sentiero,2008 Kona Jake the Snake,Custom built track/fixed,Stumpy Hartail,Kuwahara/ET bike.
I ride an aluminum bike with a carbon fork. Neither has failed, but I've not been in a wreck with it. The question here is how many people that have been in the same kind of accident have experienced the same kind of damage? Is that type of damage only experienced with no-name Chinese frames, or do people on Cannondales, Treks, Specialized, etc. also have that happen? I'd probably disregard the anecdotes from anyone who hasn't experienced the same type of accident. On the other hand, if your bike folded into pieces like that while you were going 15 on a flat and hit a shallow pothole, I'd say it's definitely the frame.
#39
^^^ I'm not saying that this is the case but it's interesting that the brands in the two photos you chose to post are known to have fake Chinese frames floating around.
Everything breaks. If you want lightweight racing stuff then it isn't going to be as durable. If you want durability it isn't going to be as lightweight. Think F1 vs Hummer; Each has its place but comparing them is just silly.
Everything breaks. If you want lightweight racing stuff then it isn't going to be as durable. If you want durability it isn't going to be as lightweight. Think F1 vs Hummer; Each has its place but comparing them is just silly.
#40
This is exactly what happened to a friend's Cannondale EVO a couple months ago, when he ran into a curb. And the wheel and fork were fine. He was shattered though - the bike was a month old!
#42
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It depends on the manufacturer. Bianchi offered me a discount but it wasn't much off retail and it wasn't going to be in Celeste so I turned it down.
#43
^^^ I'm not saying that this is the case but it's interesting that the brands in the two photos you chose to post are known to have fake Chinese frames floating around.
Everything breaks. If you want lightweight racing stuff then it isn't going to be as durable. If you want durability it isn't going to be as lightweight. Think F1 vs Hummer; Each has its place but comparing them is just silly.
Everything breaks. If you want lightweight racing stuff then it isn't going to be as durable. If you want durability it isn't going to be as lightweight. Think F1 vs Hummer; Each has its place but comparing them is just silly.
#44
^^^ I have no idea.
I only mentioned it as it struck me as funny so I commented on it. The failure the OP experienced is a bit odd considering how and where the TT shattered.
I only mentioned it as it struck me as funny so I commented on it. The failure the OP experienced is a bit odd considering how and where the TT shattered.
#45
Ghost Ryding 24/7
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Canada/604
Bikes: Giant Defy with Dura Ace group, & Ksyrium SL's,Specialized Allez Shimano mixed/mashed,2011 Opus Sentiero,2008 Kona Jake the Snake,Custom built track/fixed,Stumpy Hartail,Kuwahara/ET bike.
#47
However, old school hummers are rock solid, so your analogy still applies just fine.









