I found a dent in my new bike :-(

I would have thought it would be prepreg not infusion

I’d argue that it snot really the same as injection moulding.

Either way, we need better pics 🙂

EDIT – and don’t clamp the frame, man!

I’ve got the Anthem at the Bonty, although now I know it’s been there form the start it had been races 5-6 times. No news from CRC yet, but when I get home I’ll take some better pics.

Why wouldn’t you clamp the frame ? I guess you have never stuck your bike on a roof rack ?

What if it’s a carbon seat post . Dropper post , aero post or any other multitude of reasons.

And for the paranoid I’ve seen carbon seat posts and alloy frames trashed by people who shouldn’t be allowed tools. Mostly the people rather than faults…..

I wouldn’t clamp the frame as:

*This is probably not the usage case imaged when designing the layup, CF is only strong in the way it’s designed to be strong.

*Seatposts are cheaper than frames and with thicker walls as well. Mostly they’re round, unlike the frame, so bigger contact with the clamp less force/area.

Yep so never put your bike in a roof rack either then is that what your saying ?

Well, I don’t.

I suggest people refer to the manufacturer’s advice to decide what they want to do themselves.

#you’re

trail_rat – Member
Yep so never put your bike in a roof rack either then is that what your saying ?

clamping your downtube in a rack where the wheels are supporting the weight isn’t the same as clamping the top tube in a work stand. I have seen a couple of crushed top tubes in the past, there didn’t seem to be much metal there (see also people denting their top tubes in minor crashes)

Ah yes the hamfisted mech.

I watched a chap turn his new g zero into a colnago many moons ago

Mmmmm Gilco.

So, no update from CRC but an attempt at better pics was hard due to the light in the frame, so here’s a vid for those interested which highlights the issue well:

https://instagram.com/p/BIR7QbSA_zO/

In the vid you might also see a slight depression UNDER the top tube below the dinmple, which I notice also. So I ran my fingers along and can feel some very slight yet not visible “ripples”. This is all opposite the cable exit point, so in wondering if this is an issue with the manufacturing process. Tapping the TT reveals no difference in sound except for where it deepens in sound toward the Seatpost which is as to be expected.

@kryton nicely video’d yes imho its 100% manufacturing issue

From that video it looks to me like there’s a rub going through it, although that could be a reflection. You can also see another distortion below it on the bottom of the tube when the camera is about as far back as it goes.

It is probably a manufacturing fault but I’d be checking those to make sure they’re not from clamping 1st if you’re sending back. I’d ride it like though.

Is not from clamping. I clamp mine – rarely but when I do on the middle of the top tube further up, and despite the assumptions above its never tight – just enough to stop the bike falling out so actually the clamp is loose.

You reckon it’s safe then? What’s a rub?

I would ride it were it second hand/sold as a defect. If I had just got it new I would certainly be sending it back though.

FWIW anything decent in cf will be far far thinner in the middle of the tubes than at the end. So even a loose clamp combined with tightening/loosening bolts gives a fair chance of damage.

Clamp it on the seatpin. I even have a dummy seatpin for one of the bikes. (Light carbon frame. Light carbon seatpin)

There are people on here who can’t operate a Presta valve without breaking it. Best not suggest they clamp a carbon frame 😆

Kryten, I suggest you contact Vitus; that looks like a layup defect or suchlike.

Bon chance.

Well, CRC want it back for inspection. I’ll update as I get an answer.

So, after inspection CRC have declared the frame safe to ride and are telling me the “dent” is merely a “dip in the lacquer” and are offering me two new Tyres for my troubles.

Are the Stw Carbon experts accepting of this explanation?

🙂

No

Not much else you can do if thy say that. Other than dig your heels in and demand a replacement. Worse comes to worse, you might be able to seek recompense via CC if you’re not happy with their assessment.

Thing is they’ve had a look in the flesh. Everyone on here has only the pics to go on.

Safe doesn’t come into it. I’d want a dent free one. Just the same as if the paint was damaged on a new car or some stitching was unraveled on clothing.

But then again I am an arsehole 😀

Pretty standard response for something deemed to be only cosmetic damage. Had you noticed it on delivery you’d have had an easy time getting it swapped, as it is, think its a case of take the tyres and move on

Dip in the lacquer is bollocks, its microns thick not mm.

This looks like a point where multiple layers of carbon overlap, there’s probably been less than perfect fulfilment from the bag in the mould with the result that there’s been a touch of fibre drift and / or less than perfect consolidation in the top layer. The carbon is there it just bows down a tiny bit at this point.

Carbon frames have these little imperfections, most of them do. With a painted frame when there’s not a beauty layer on top they’ll fill these with fine filler, perfectly acceptable. Sometimes the dips are too small to get enough depth of filler in for it to hold.

Nowt to worry about, just not the visual perfection we all crave.

Hmmm.

They’ve declared it safe, it already came with a 15% discount so as long as it’s warranted comes back with 2 Rocket Rons with tubes should I really care?

If you saw what the inside of a carbon frame was like then you wouldn’t be worried about that.

A frame with damage would have to be reduced by more than 15% to sell it. 50%?

Good thing is they’ve admitted its a manufacturing error. I wouldn’t be happy having it back, even if itis purely aesthetics.

I’d want to know if the inspection was carried out by Gaz in goods-in or by someone who actually knows what he’s looking at.

Given the timescales though & if it is indeed only aesthetic then I’d just crack on (no pun intended)….. 😉

Gaz was on his lunch break. I think Doris from accounts had a quick look.

I’m not interested in selling it. I’m going to race it until it dies one way or another. And therefore cosmetics isn’t important either hence my earlier statement.

So I’ll accept I think as long as it’s warrantied.

If it cracks and you die, can I have your bike?

Oh hang on….I’ve not thought this through.

An update: despite some communcation issues between us I’m informed today something is being sent back to me. However both me and CRC seem to be uncertain that the box I’ll receive might be:

A) my original frame
B) a new frame
C) my original frame with some token tyres I didn’t want
d) my original frame with the tyres I asked for and would actually use
E) any combination of the above
X) an empty box

Maybe X is the best option, they pretty much have to give you a new frame if they’ve lost the first one.

C.

I have some lucky white heather that you can have,it will protect your bike if you put it inside the seatpost.
£200 paypal gift,cheers 😛

I’ll have two, are you happy for me to double and pay my own fees?

Deal,you won’t regret it.
No more mechanicals during races and it makes you 36.2% faster.
I will post them off tomorrow.

I can only accept postage by Western Union I’m afraid.