Carbon bike frame repair...

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2015-04-07 8:01 PM


6

Subject: Carbon bike frame repair...
Question for anyone that has had some experience with broken and cracked carbon frames, I wasn't sure what category to post this under but any input would be greatly appreciated. So I finally scraped up enough money to buy my first tri bike, I payed $750 for a 2009 Quintana roo Lucero but I had to have someone pick it up for me, long story short, the top tube has a quarter-sized spot that got smashed and cracked on the way home... Sucks. There are posts and videos online on how to DIY this repair, a carbon repair shop in Portland quoted me $400 and I have talked to a few people who have said not to even try to fix it myself. So... Do I bite the bullet and some how find the money to get it fixed, or take a chance at a carbon fiber repair by myself?



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2015-04-07 8:12 PM
in reply to: dinomay

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Extreme Veteran
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Westchester, NY
Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
You can probably patch it. Though I wouldn't do it myself with duct tape.

Get it done by a pro and you may never have to trash the frame.
2015-04-07 8:15 PM
in reply to: louamerica


6

Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
So is there no way I could do a carbon fiber/apoxy patch that would be reliable? I don't have a tone of money...
2015-04-08 5:49 AM
in reply to: dinomay

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Champion
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Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
it can definitely be done. I guess the main question is how much material/tools do you have currently to do the repair yourself? If the answer is none/close to none, then you aren't going to save much money doing it yourself vs. having it repaired. Also, without a vacuum system your repair is probably going to look pretty mediocre (at best) if looks matter.

Carbon fiber isn't some magical medium... it doesn't take a genius to work it, but you do need the tools/space/safety equipment/carbon&epoxy to do it right... repairing a bike you plan to race on also isnt' my suggestion for a first timer, but if you do it right(ish) you *probably* won't have any issue.
2015-04-08 8:38 AM
in reply to: dinomay

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Member
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Exton, PA
Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
Don't do that repair yourself. Imagine what would happen to you if your DIY repair fails while you are riding.
2015-04-08 2:36 PM
in reply to: dinomay

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Master
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Kailua, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
I have some experience dealing with epoxy / carbon repairs....but there are a few factors to be considered:
1. materials will probably wind up costing at least $200 (resin, carbon cloth, etc)
2. home type repair will be most likely pretty ugly
3. could be hard to evaluate the repair quality / strength

This particular damage looks very repairable, but to have a good job done on it you'll most likely need to have it done by a reputable repair shop.
Personally I'd decide whether the frame is worth spending money on, and then have it done professionally. Also keep in mind, a repaired frame is not something that people want to buy used, in case you want to sell it later.

For your edification...this series of carbon repair is pretty much what you'd have to do. But getting the materials is not cheap. A quart of marine quality resin & hardener is probably around $100. The carbon cloth around $50. Maybe you can find the materials cheaper.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Repairing-a-Carbon-Fiber-Bicycle-Fr...

2015-04-08 2:47 PM
in reply to: dinomay

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Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
Originally posted by dinomay

Question for anyone that has had some experience with broken and cracked carbon frames, I wasn't sure what category to post this under but any input would be greatly appreciated. So I finally scraped up enough money to buy my first tri bike, I payed $750 for a 2009 Quintana roo Lucero but I had to have someone pick it up for me, long story short, the top tube has a quarter-sized spot that got smashed and cracked on the way home... Sucks. There are posts and videos online on how to DIY this repair, a carbon repair shop in Portland quoted me $400 and I have talked to a few people who have said not to even try to fix it myself. So... Do I bite the bullet and some how find the money to get it fixed, or take a chance at a carbon fiber repair by myself?


If it were me, I'd probably sell it as is to someone and take that cash + 400 and find me another used bike.
2015-04-08 9:33 PM
in reply to: lyttleviet


6

Subject: RE: Carbon bike frame repair...
That's definitely an idea. Thanks for all the input, iv decided to go with a professional.
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