Crack in fame

PaulKK · 30-08-2013 5:09pm #1

Hi all,

I was hoping to do the 70km Kells kings tomorrow (first event

) but when cleaning my frame I discovered the following 2 cracks on the frame over the fork:

Is this safe to cycle with? What can I do about it? The bike is a Sensa Trentino, about 11 months old, has about 1200km on it now.

Mr.Fred · 30-08-2013 5:33pm

Is it an aluminium frame it looks like it's cracked either side of a blended weld. I'm guessing it'd covered under warranty.

If it is aluminium I'd have thought you'd get away with a 70km spin.

It may just be superficial but I guess you never know.

ashleey · 30-08-2013 5:33pm

No one is going to say 'yes, it's safe', in case the worst happens.

I had something similar around the bottom bracket of my frame and I've stopped using it and arranged a replacement. I did go out one more time on it to see if it was fine and it was but I don't trust it.

Normally, you would get at least a 12 month warranty, probably longer. You will have to approach your retailer to discuss your options.

Squidgy Black · 30-08-2013 5:47pm

Can't tell from just looking at it, but it could just be the paint that cracked, it might not be structural.

I probably wouldn't risk it though, for the sake of missing one ride you could probably save yourself from some nasty injuries if it is a crack through the frame and the frame fails.

PaulKK · 30-08-2013 6:08pm

Thanks guys, I'm not going to risk it.

Bit dissapointed to miss the event but I wouldn't feel confident on it, especially coming down a hill at 60k/hr.

Back to the LBS in the morning!

ashleey · 30-08-2013 6:32pm

PaulKK wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm not going to risk it.

Bit dissapointed to miss the event but I wouldn't feel confident on it, especially coming down a hill at 60k/hr.

Back to the LBS in the morning!

Try and put some lateral force around the crack and see if it moves. It might just be paint

PaulKK · 30-08-2013 7:17pm

ashleey wrote: »

Try and put some lateral force around the crack and see if it moves. It might just be paint

Tried to apply a bit of force to it but its hard to get anything on it because of where it is. Heres a slightly better pic:

ashleey · 30-08-2013 8:30pm

I have to say that from the photos it doesn't look good! Try gently moving the fork but be careful!

Seweryn · 30-08-2013 8:34pm

Apply front brake and rock the bike forward-back. Observe the cracked area.

And see you tomorrow in Kells.

Paranoid Mandroid · 30-08-2013 8:51pm

If it was me and I really wanted to use the bike I'd chip or scrape some of that paint off and see if there is a crack in the aluminium. Could easily be just the paint, it's at a region that would collect excess paint when sprayed (guess). Although its also a region that could be subject to a lot of stress. Might not come off too easy but you've nothing to lose. Let us know how you get on.

Squidgy Black · 30-08-2013 8:57pm

Yeah sanding down the paint of the affected area isn't a bad idea, it's an inconspicuous spot so it won't be noticeable.

Mr.Fred · 30-08-2013 9:08pm

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Yeah sanding down the paint of the affected area isn't a bad idea, it's an inconspicuous spot so it won't be noticeable.

Don't sand it down if you still have a warranty on it there's no chance the shop will honour it.

It is one way of checking though but only as a last resort I reckon.

Eamonnator · 30-08-2013 9:09pm

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Yeah sanding down the paint of the affected area isn't a bad idea, it's an inconspicuous spot so it won't be noticeable.

Think about warranty, before doing that.

Squidgy Black · 30-08-2013 9:24pm

Yeah sorry I should've mentioned that. If you have any warranty, your best bet actually is to do nothing with it and return it straight away.

PaulKK · 30-08-2013 9:31pm

Thanks lads, I'm going down to the shop in the morning with it, I'm not going to risk messing with it as its only 11 months old.

If it was out of warranty I'd definitely sand it and see what was going on.

route66 · 30-08-2013 9:44pm

If it's under warranty I wouldn't go near it with sandpaper. If it looks like you've been at it, they will have a reason to refuse any warranty. Flex it away to see how it performs under load but no matter how it comes through this, I'd still return it to the supplying LBS.

PaulKK · 31-08-2013 11:23am

Right lads, was down in the bike shop this morning and we're sending for a replacement frame under warrenty, so hopefully all will be sorted out fairly hassle free.

Bike shop confirmed frame is cracked and not just paint.

Mr.Fred · 31-08-2013 1:05pm

PaulKK wrote: »

Right lads, was down in the bike shop this morning and we're sending for a replacement frame under warrenty, so hopefully all will be sorted out fairly hassle free.

Bike shop confirmed frame is cracked and not just paint.

Happy days. Here's hoping the next one is better. I'd say they blended that weld to much.

wexandproud · 31-08-2013 2:21pm

this is why we should all support our lbs

PaulKK · 16-09-2013 10:23pm

Just thought I'd update on this.

Since my bike model is no longer available I was offered this frame in either black or white :
http://www.sensabikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=567

as free replacement or this plus a few bob extra from me:

http://www.sensabikes.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=564

Needless to say I didn't want to downgrade my frame so I went for the upgrade. Will be a bit of a change from bright white to matt black but it looks like a nice frame. Hopefully getting sorted in the next two weeks.

Have to say Kilkenny cycles have been excellent to deal with as always.

Seweryn · 17-09-2013 5:53am

PaulKK wrote: »

Needless to say I didn't want to downgrade my frame so I went for the upgrade. Will be a bit of a change from bright white to carbon black but it looks like a nice frame. Hopefully getting sorted in the next two weeks.

Have to say Kilkenny cycles have been excellent to deal with as always.

Great to hear that Paul and good luck with your new bike.

You have a local Sportive in October you can participate in on top of your daily fun on the bike

.

PaulKK · 10-10-2013 5:32pm

So everything sorted now, picked up the new bike today, delighted with it. Little bit of hassle as original replacement came damaged but all sorted in the end. Needed a couple of new bits and got the cassette changed while I was at it too. Now just need to get out on it!

AstraMonti · 10-10-2013 5:34pm

Unless you are 70y old with back problems you really need to trim down that tower of spacers!

PaulKK · 10-10-2013 5:41pm

Just edited that, didnt realise the pic was so large.

AstraMonti wrote: »

Unless you are 70y old with back problems you really need to trim down that tower of spacers!

I asked for the handlebars to be slightly higher as my back was getting sore before and I felt I was too uncomfortable in the drops.

Eamonnator · 10-10-2013 6:05pm

Nice to see a spirit level, being used for it's proper purpose. Saddle looks perfectly level.
Best of luck with new bike.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 10-10-2013 6:19pm

Good luck with the new frame/bike.

Slightly OT but what saddle pouch is that? It looks nice and neat and not the usual big lumpy thing you normally see.

PaulKK · 10-10-2013 6:26pm

CJC999 wrote: »

Good luck with the new frame/bike.

Slightly OT but what saddle pouch is that? It looks nice and neat and not the usual big lumpy thing you normally see.

Would you believe I got it in tk max. No idea what the make is unfortunately. Its actually pretty good quality and just fits tube tyre levers and phone perfectly.

AstraMonti · 10-10-2013 6:30pm

PaulKK wrote: »

I asked for the handlebars to be slightly higher as my back was getting sore before and I felt I was too uncomfortable in the drops.

You know your body better than anyone, but you might be altering the way you 're sitting and it might affect something else. Best of luck with it anyway

Crack in fame

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