Just received a 2012 cube stereo super hpc race. There seems to be discoloured bands on the frame under the clear coat on the top tube, is this normal? Or send it back?
What do you reckon?
Alan
Normal depending on weave and layup
You can see all the overlaps on my spark frame, its actually rather interesting.
Sounds normal to me
Pretty normal, see them regularly even on high end stuff.
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92938097@N06/8446917097/in/photostream ]Flickr[/url]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92938097@N06/8446917097/in/photostream
I have uploaded a couple of pics,
What do you guys think? This was a 2012 reduction bike £2,800 down to £2k. They didnt mention the marks/blemishes
Normal depending on weave and layup
I thought they were all pretty much injection moulded these days?
Completely what I'd expect for a finish without a (pointless) cosmetic layer. I think it looks great.
I thought they were all pretty much injection moulded these days?
Not at all. Carbon is laid up by hand, then molded in a, mold.
Thanks Brant, was just worried as previous Carbon experience was the rear triangle of my Zesty (now stolen) which was matt black.
Just going to start the what heli tape thread now. Any drawbacks to heli taping carbon? I've helitaped all my other alloy frames in the past.
Some adhesive can affect the clearcoat and will release the clearcoat on tape removal.
I've had this with carbon bars that i elec tape wrapped before putting race plate zip ties on.
Thicker clearcoat on a quality frame should be just fine though especially if you use a quality heli tape.
I think there was a plant-x clearcoat reference in a thread about this recently?
I don't helitape my frames any more except heel contact areas with chain/seat stays, more hassle than its worth on top tube.
They make other people feel inferior.
Totally normal, check it out on my C456!
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Bit of an odd place in the middle if the top tube
My Cinelli Willin has a clear lacquer and non direction carbon and it looks like that on the top tube. Nothing to worry about.
Yep, it looks like a clear topcoat over the Black carbon and green stickers. Pretty standard - makes it look "Carbony" too, which I like.
You can see some of the layup arrangement on my carbon enduro. Would not worry about it from what I can see in the pics. 
I thought they were all pretty much injection moulded these days?
Not at all. Carbon is laid up by hand, then molded in a, mold.
Frames can have the carbon laid into a mould by hand and then the resin is injected at 50-100psi it is known as RTM and is used by Time and BMC among others. I used this method that i termed SCROTUM! (Secondory
consolidated resin optimized transfer mouldings). Had exceptionally low voids and excellent resin/fibre fractions.
AS brant says, that is fine for a bike without a cosmetic layer.
Same on my focus, and kinesis forks.
Looks normal to me. My EX9.9 has those sorts of lines in the carbon.
When the "Armour" came off my frame on its first ride, ( it protects the seat stays), I was told to use Gorilla glue by Trek to stick it back on. I asked specifically as I thought some glues might be detrimental to the epoxy, or whatever the carbon bonding agent is.
If you do use Gorilla Glue, be careful to read the instructions and apply sparingly, as it expands x4!!!