Hi just unpacked my Boardman Carbon Team (picked up on Friday)
I've noticed a scratch which isn't a white scratch (lacq seems fine) but it's a stress mark/crack.
I'm taking it back for either an exchange or refund.
Is this just how carbon fibre is? unlucky and damaged in transit?
I guess just getting it insured against own damage is the only way to go other than buying Titanium/steel!
Not gutted but annoyed-not against Halfords as these things happen!
Yes - that's how all carbon bikes are. The slightest bit of movement and they just snap in two. I hope you were wearing rubber or latex gloves when you were handling it as the shards of carbon will otherwise already be on their way through your skin and be aiming at your heart.
Hopefully its a one off.
I think CF's been around long enough now and they're not disintigrating left right and centre like some of us first feared. Having said that, my three bikes are Ti.
I had a mate who cracked a Cervelo R3-SL when he knocked over a workstand. He was unlucky as it hit a rock and it probably would have written off a metal frame too...but still, writing off a 2K frame's gotta hurt!
Oh shi... cough aghhh!
It's still within the lacquor (I can't spell it) and while the weaves look all over the place, this looks too obvious.
Ah well. Still have my receipt and get cash back or an exchange.
Should have bought a Ti frame!
mingsta - Member
Hopefully its a one off.I think CF's been around long enough now and they're not disintigrating left right and centre like some of us first feared. Having said that, my three bikes are Ti.
2 out 3 people I know with Ti Cove Hummers have had them replaced within a year due to cracks .................
Relax. There's a very good chance that it's just a marking from the carbon lay-up. I have a Carbon Blur and a Focus Cayo and there are all sorts of "lines" under the lacquer which look, to the untrained eye, like some sort of fault or crack. Have a look at a set of Easton carbon handlebars and you'll see the very same.
It's still worth getting someone to give it a once over, although (for your own piece of mind) you might want to go somewhere independent and with perhaps more experience than your local Halfords. Pop into a few other shops and give their carbon frames and components a good, detailed, going over to see if you spot anything similar.
Ti never fails
Should have bought a Ti frame!
Nah, just get the replacement and enjoy!!!
All this worrying about longevity and most of us have never kept a bike for more than 2 seasons!
All this worrying about longevity and most of us have never kept a bike for more than 2 seasons!
is that true? I've been mountain biking for over 20 years and only had five bikes, and still have 3 of them.
I thought it could be me but there isn't a single mark anywhere but a white stress mark that looks like a deep scratch.
As long as it doesn't break I'm happy but I'll double check before I start putting it together.
Asked Halfords today and they didn't know what it was.
Told me to ride it and if it breaks pop back.
Have to wait for the manager 2morro.
LOL...
if it break pop backha ha
Its just a manufacturing defect, its rare but it happens. Could happen to any frame of any material at any time. Just send it back and you will probably have to deal with the manager yes. A shop monkey probably dosn't have the authority to get a replacement from boardman.
what bit are we looking at?
That's just a small glitch in the cosmetic weave.
The Halfords guys were happy to take it back and ordered another one for me but I did have 2 biking friends come with me (Agency_scum-thanks!) and that helped alot lol.
I guess I just to check the exchange over before driving home again.
Customer service rang me to say the frame is tested up to 18 stone and it should be ok.
The one in the shop had the weave (Scattered and not directional as it's only T700 and not T800 on the pro model.
Will have to wait and see what the exchange is like (Arrives next Friday)
@Nickc-Seat stay meeting the Seat tube junction.
I'm just going to insure it against own damage in case it fails in future.
Update
When I went into Halfords there were no cycle staff, then a guy from another dept accuses me of not bringing my old frame and back and wants to charge me for a new frame even though I have all receipts!
Treated me like a shop lifter then tried to keep my receipts and would not give my evidence back!
Had to drive 8 miles home again.
Next day after complaining to customer service they do a stock check and find one up in stock-=my broken frame and call me to say I can collect it but I told them it was shoddy service and want my money back.
Went in to get my cash back and the supervisor was there to apologise and offer me another £50 of freebies which I accepted as he was a nice chap.
Bike, good! Halfords service?-well if you speak to a drop kick you will get shoddy service! but I know the guy who sorted me out and its a shame the good guys like him get a bad rap for other idiots who just don't like you for some reason or have no customer service skills.
Finally have the bike!
When I went into Halfords there were no cycle staff, then a guy from another dept accuses me of not bringing my old frame and back and wants to charge me for a new frame even though I have all receipts!
Treated me like a shop lifter then tried to keep my receipts and would not give my evidence back!
Flippin heck, I'd have been very annoyed and a little worried at that point! Glad you got it all sorted in the end. Funny how £50 worth of free stuff massarges the bother away, bit of a result in the end hey! 
So whats the new frame like? is it totally mark free? Will you get to find out weather the mark on the returned frame was a crack or not?
Oh and Pics when its built up please! 
druidh - MemberTi never fails
Might have had something to do with the 203mm rotor?
mk1fan - MemberMight have had something to do with the 203mm rotor?
So Ti's fine as long as you don't stress it? 
Might have had something to do with the 203mm rotor?
I thought the very same thing! but couldnt be sure how big the rotor was from the pic, it looks huge though!
Danevs,
No, what looks to be an XC frame (mud guard eyelet) with a massive DH rotor acting on it. I would expect a similar steel or ali frame would break in the same place with such a large rotor shearing accross it.
Grimy,
The size is printed on the rotor.
mk1fan - Member
Danevs,
No, what looks to be an XC frame (mud guard eyelet) with a massive DH rotor acting on it. I would expect a similar steel or ali frame would break in the same place.
It's a Ti456.
this will probably go some way to explaining why most of the bikehuts are shutting and the staff being laid off....
shocking service can shut business's..
Pretty sure it's a 180 or so. The rear axle to top mounting hole on a rear is disc mount is 78mm.
Bigger than average but far from silly.
EDIT just seen that it's marked as 203mm so I'm s bit confused now. Will have to check is disc mount dimension as the rotor doesn't look 20mm bigger than the top disc mount hole.
EDIT2 yep 78mm for the is mount so I guess it's just the angle the pic is taken from...
The rotor has the diameter printed on it - it's a 203
I notice the latest version of the Ti456 has a nice big brace between the seat and chain stays.
Mind you 203mm is far too big for the rear you must be a right lardy. That combined with the unmatched power of the Juicy calliper 
God, how lame is that site 
That busted carbon site is so gash, imagine how dull it would be if it was busted steel, or Ali. actually, strike that, it just as dull with broken bits of carbon
A mini van made an illegal left turn directly in front of me, I was going 26mph when I hit the windshield with my head.
I doubt a thin walled ali frame would've faired any better
Hmm, its like all perpetuated urban myths. Carbon is bad, all Cannondales break etc etc...
Repeated posting of that 456 ti pic is as bad.
One broken frame, many posts, damaged reputation.
Zaskar don't you/didn't you work at Halfords?
@Houns
As student I did on weekends but quit some time now -to study more!
Not all stores or staff are bad and what you read-most good customers never post good things or deals etc
But this guy was accusing me of trying to get the bike from a bike2work scheme, then he didn't believe me that I had returned the bike previously and said on the phone to another staff member that I was not a nice bloke etc when I had been polite.
Thank god the manager and cycle supervisor was in the next day and the guy who mixed up my accounts was able to tell them I had returned the bike! as I was worried I had lost out of my money etc but they were apologetic in the end and told me the guy who dealt with me; treats everyone like that...I think he needs to treat everyone fairly otherwise he will push customers away.
Otherwise the main staff are ace.
@ cycleworlduk. You really should get your facts correct before blurting out on a forum..
I have actually had excellent service from Halfords over the years.
@ Zaskar, keep us informed on the replacement. Heard excellent things about that particular bike.
@0091paddy
http://www.bikebiz.com/news/31757/Halfords-employee-hits-back
just saying what i read.....
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