LOOK what i found……

whilst washing my Tracer VP in prep for tomorrows STW ride

😥 what a complete disaster 😥 lets hope I can get it sorted out via the warranty, only had the the frame 10 months

WOW!! thats a proper job, so glad i opted for the Nomad.. (sorry i know that doesn't help you)

Isn't that whole bit CNC'd?

Blimey – that's a proper one!! Makes me feel better about breaking my frames now 🙂

And that, laydeez and jellyspoons, is a shining example of why we should all be washing our bicycles!

What a shame, such a nice frame as well. Let us know how you get on.

I had to deal with Extra for an issue on my socom – and I have to say they were excellent, couldn't have been better. They really did go out their way to do everything possible to sort me out. So big up them.

However, same not to be said for CRC (who i ended up bypassing to go straight to extra), guess they're just quite busy.

And intense themselves, they must have a blind work experience boy on quality control, is all I'm saying!

Hey Craig, gutted for you… Sure they'll sort you out though!

Well at least you found it by washing and not by going Down hill!

wrap a bit of duck tape round it – job done.

that's what happens when you jetwash your bike

Zoikes!!

Is there also a bit of paint missing off the chain stay?

Your meant to wash your bikes? Well I never…

Not being funny, but that looks like a pretty rubbish design. Is the BB shell and the start of the chainstays a single machined/forged block? I am not suprised a crack initiated right where that nice stiff corner joins right onto the (relatively speaking) flexible bit of chainstay!

I have dealt with many a piece of similar geometry in my job and any simple – even half baked – finite element analysis would have found that to be a high stress region. And even if not, anyone involved in structural design should know that a rapid change in section or stiffness is likely to cause problems.

If the OP has any issues getting a warrenty replacement or money back then I'd be interested to know/help.

Zedsdead – 😆

brakes – what kind of jet washer do you use ?? what the type of jets they use in quarry's for cutting stone ??? ha it's just as well Ive NEVER jet washed any of my bikes.

steve_b77 – yip that is paint missing, the chain has worn it off, I don't think that there is any corrosion issues, theres a good coating of built up oil from the chain.

I bought the frame from CRC, so far they have been very good, the rear triangle has been sent back to there suppliers to be checked out for warranty, they say they shouldn't be to long in giving me a decision!? I'm not 100% sure where i stand with it all, especially as I'm not even sure how I did it ??

monekyp – if I need any advise regarding the warranty, in the event they don't replace it, I would be very grateful if you can help.

PROLINES – nick it was good catching up with you tonight, Ill keep you posted about my frame, speak soon

The 05/06 Spesh Enduros were/are notorious for cracking in the same spot, indeed, I've just cracked my third (yes third) one and that was supposed to have addressed the problem with an extra plat welding over the join between the chainstay and the forged yoke.

That section of the bike looks like the bottom of the triangulated upright that attaches to the BB shell via the small VPP link. The entire rear triangle then floats freely on two counter rotating links. Not sure if that's the same problem you identified Monkeyp?

i was hoping for something good like finding £5 or a picture of a mole 🙁

Proper crack that, didn't realise it was quite so obvious when you explained it on Saturday.

Hope it get's sorted quickly.

I'm not 100% sure where i stand with it all, especially as I'm not even sure how I did it ??

There's no way the frame should have cracked like that no matter how you were riding it. The tracer is supposed to be a tough frame. Please keep us updated, I'd be interested in the outcome (should only be new bike for craig and bloody quickly).

people are always finding cracks in their frames when they clean them. The answer is obvious.

i was hoping for something good like finding £5 or a picture of a mole

😆

..it is peices of brilliantly irreverant wit like that that keep me coming back to this place endlessly (and getting noooo work done in the process)

09 is all about cracks.

I predict bends to be in for 2010.