Hello I would like to get some advice to make a decision; should I repair this bike or give up.
In 2022 August, two months later I first rode a road bike, I had a serious chain slap, the chain got stuck between chain ring and frame caused a major scratch to the frame. I took to Ziggy’s and asked what to do. They game me a name where I could get a repair of carbon frame.
I paid about $700 to get it repair.
Three years later, the laminate they applied to protect the frame is coming off. I see some layers are peeling off as well.
I contacted the business I got the repair. They say that it looks like I had an impact there and it caused the delaminating. They are offering me $ 350 to fix.
Here I attached some pictures.
August 2022 ( the original damage and their repair - 4 pictures)
Oh this is such a bummer. Especially cause you didnt crash its just a mechanical issue that has impacted your beautiful frame! I would be so upset with this outcome. Im so sorry. Honestly I have heard horror stories about carbon frames being damaged so I would probably look into a new or used bike to replace it. But knowing you just got a new gravel bike I can see why you are torn.
Just my opinion, but carbon fibre is usually much stronger than people realize especially for forces applied in the direction that the engineer intended. They are typically break due to side impacts, or possibly at joints (like seatposts) that get stressed due to forces at multiple angles.
Assuming the original damage was just due to grinding from the chain I personally wouldn’t be that concerned as long as there is no noticeable flex or softness in the rear triangle.
I’ve used a heavy duty aluminum tape to cover that area in the past to help prevent damage from chain drops. Carbon doesn’t fatigue over time like aluminum does so it shouldn’t get any worse.
Maybe jump the bike off a few small drops to gain some confidence that the frame can take it.
A friend of mine has been doing carbon frame repair for over 15 years and once told me that the repaired sections are often stronger than they were originally if done correctly. I know that’s anectodal, but if it helps, this same friend has also done work for NASA, works around the world in the air industry, and regularly builds his own custom carbon parts for his car, motorcycle, etc. My guess is that it’ll probably hold, but I could always put you in touch with my friend if you’d like another assessment. Also, sorry about the damage! That sucks.
No Carbon repair will have the strength to weight as original - the fiber structure and the resin properties would never be as ideal as original.
that being said - a good repair should never delaminate - poor prep or resin incompatibility would be the most likely reason for that. that area around the bottom bracket could be easily repaired again - albeit grinding out the current repair and reapplying a new fix back to the original surface (and thicker at that). I highly doubt there would be any concern for safety in that area (well maybe if your doing 10 ft drops!)
I talked the shop who had repaired my bike, they initially quoted $550-650.
The damage looked like it caused by an impact. I said there has been no hit or chain drop to had caused a such delamination. it’s behind a crank, hard to have a direct impact there.
They said there is a still possibility something had happened to cause it, that was why they would not give me a full warranty, price reduction instead.
Sometime this week, I am going take a crank off to see the delaminating part .
At this moment I am leaning toward paying $350 to ride the bike this season and start looking for a new bike.
Thank you again for taking your time to sharing your knowledge and offering some advice.
Just my two cents but if you have a proper repair done at this point then at least the bike will have some resale value as a functional bike next year. If you don’t have it done then the bike/frame will be essentially worthless other than the parts that can be salvaged off of it.
Yup. Exactly this. I would fix it regardless of whether you buy a new bike or not.
If you end up replacing it, you can sell this or use it as a trainer bike.
I am going to repair my bike. I am going to keep this bike because this is the one introduced me to a cycling. I have too many good memories with this to let it go☺️
