So I have a problem that I’ve been denying for a while. I’m not sure actually how dangerous it is as I can’t tell whether it’s the paint or frame that’s cracked. So, should I condemn my beloved Dialled Alpine and if so any ideas for what I could do with the frame?

Wouldn’t worry me too much as long as it had a long seatpost inserted. Its easy to keep an eye on.

Id be tempted to strip the paint around it to get a better look. If it is the frame thats cracking it should be weldable.

As above I would investigate further. Maybe I’m looking at it wrongly but I can’t see how a long seatpost will stop the seatstays falling off? One of the Dialled guys used to be on here at one point (Mike????)

send mike the pic and see what he says.
i assume from your “denying” bit that you are still riding it, id be tempted to stop…

I wouldn’t ride that
Mainly because if it breaks it’ll cost a lot more to repair than if you take it too framebuilders and get it sorted NOW!

What he said.

A wield in time saves nine. 🙂

I am with Peter on this one. Clearing the paint away to see if it is the frame or just the paint that’s cracked is a good idea as suggested above too.

A reasonably common place for frames to fail – a fillet of brass over it will sort it out.

is it s sticker?

It’s a bit more-ish but you’ll be fine.

A pal’s Dialled cracked there – he just had it welded up, fine now.

Not quite sure why anyone with an ounce of common’ would ride something that could easily insert two tubes up their ar5e on a landing etc…

“Drugs are bad, mmmmmmkay!”

On the serious side I would get that welded before it spreads. When it does go itll be a right off and take you out with it.

It’s a bit more-ish but you’ll be fine.

I chuckled at this

I’d recommend a mudguard too

My big brand carbon fibre hard tail frame has recently developed cracks in the same place as the OPs frame.

Spoke to their warranty department. ‘Don’t worry its just the paint caused by seat post flex’. Frame is 15 months old and cracks just appeared…

When I expressed my concern ( third of same model frame cracked and put forward to warranty in 2 years) response was ‘we don’t have any warranty frames at moment, keep an eye on the cracks’ 🙁

Sorted.

Frame repairs via the internet – are you trying to put me out of business?!

Cheers Jamie,
Anything to aid my denial.

I will go get myself booked in asap.

What Ben said. Brazed crack repairs generally work better than welded ones.

Shot blast the area clean. Drill tiny holes at the ends of the crack (probably not essential) and then a nice big brazed fillet repair. Do whatever you want regarding paint (rattle can the area or £40 ish to powder coat the whole thing) and should last a long time.