After a bit of chainsuck on my carbon mtb, I think the frame is cracking on the chainstay right by the chainsuck damage. The gel coat is lifting a fraction. So, rather than scrap the frame ( it's a Planet X Dirty Harry), I will try to get it repaired. There's a carbon fibre repair place in daventry, (which is close to where I live), has anyone used them?
Any better places in the Midlands that people know of?
Thanks everso
I've sawn up a C456 ( for a carbon project) - the chain stays were very thick in the 'chainsuck' area - I'd be surprised if a little 'gel coat lifting' means you've done anything structural.
How much are they charging? A DIY patch and resin should be very reasonable (£15-£30).
How much are they charging? A DIY patch and resin should be very reasonable (£15-£30).
I Would agree, DIY is often the best and cheapest option, easy composites do some [url= http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/Products/carbon-fibre-laminating-starter-kit.aspx ]great beginners kits [/url] and all else that is needed is some compression/electrical tape to compress it and some sandpaper to key the area. Watch their[url= http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/learning/how-to-repair-a-broken-carbon-fibre-fishing-pole.aspx ] videos[/url] as they are pretty comprehensive (this one is how to repair a fishing rod but it's a similar concept)
Edit: [url= http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/Products/carbon-fibre-fishing-rod-pole-repair-kit.aspx ]this kit[/url] seem like a better bet for a bike repair
Nice one, thanks for that link, have ordered a repair kit. It's worth a shot at a DIY solution as it's not exactly a boutique frame.
Girlfriend got a cracked seat tube repaired here- [url= http://www.carboncyclerepairs.co.uk/index.html ]carbon repair[/url]
Repainted to match, even with the before photo I couldn't see the repair at first. Very impressed.
I repaired a C456 and am still alive!
I very much doubt it is gelcoat. More likely lacquer/paint. I'd carefully take it back with some wet wet'n dry and examine it further. If you start to see a whiny-dull effect with the water on the surface then you are going a bit far and hitting the fibres.