kmkurdone

Looking for some opinions on how to handle this situation - sorry if it gets long-winded.

I own a 2006 Quintana Roo Seduza tri bike. If you aren't familiar with the bike, it is full-carbon. The other day I was riding up Latigo Canyon in Malibu and reached down to grab my water bottle and to my surprise the bottle cage pulled off with the bottle. I looked down and the bottle cage threads had pulled completely out of the frame of the bike. It cracked the paint (hopefully that is all) and there are two gaping holes in the frame of my bike now. I did not pull on this thing hard at all...

Anyways, my concern/question now is two-fold.

1) Does this affect the integrity of the frame? Does this hint to serious damage to the frame? I am hoping the small cracks surrounding the hole are just to the paint. I figure I can take it to my LBS, but wanted to see your thoughts as well.

2) Is this something that can be fixed or would I have to try and get it covered under warranty? I would like to go the warranty route, but I am racing age group nationals in Sept. and doubt I would get the frame quickly.

Has anybody had any experience with something like this on a carbon frame? Thanks for your replies in advance! Thanks!

Szczuldo

If it's under warranty send it in. You just cracked your frame, and if somehow the threaded bits came out without damaging the carbon you will crack it in due time since there is now nothing supporting those holes. But chances are the frame is cracked since I believe that the carbon fibers goes over the threaded bit which would imply that you managed to pull it out and move the carbon fibers out of the way, unlike steel, carbon fiber doesn't really give much and chances are it is cracked at that point and this crack will propagate.

Surferbruce

what shop did you buy it from?
definitely go the warranty route. if the shop you frequent is really cool (and you frequent them enough) they might have a frame to loan for nats.

kmkurdone

Helen's Santa Monica - They have been really cool with me in the past, that's not a bad idea. Thanks.

Surferbruce

Helens in SM is a great shop, i'd totally bet they'll hook you up.

kmkurdone

Ya, I'll see what they say. Does anybody have any experience with a warranty issue like this in terms of timing, etc.? It sounds like the overall opinion is that I def. need to send this in. Thanks again for all the responses so far.

Surferbruce

i warrantied a LOOK frame and got a replacement in about a month.

ivan_yulaev

Don't be betting that the frame is cracked just yet...those riveted bosses can be pretty wimpy. But certainly have it inspected, CAREFULLY.

mkauffman

I hope it goes well with a nice new 08 model... or even 09

kdogkodiak

Just went through a similar situation with a Fuji carbon frame. The cable stop for the rear brake pulled off the frame. I got it covered under the warranty (with a little pushing on my part). Took about 2 weeks for the new frame to arrive.

kmkurdone

I'm going to head over to the LBS tonight and hopefully they will be able to help. I purchased the bike awhile ago with the little money I did have. I definitely can't afford a new one! I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the replies.

Nachoman

Post some pics so we can check it out too.

KiddSisko

Those threaded bosses are put in after the frame is complete. Holes are drilled, a glue or epoxy is applied to the boss and set into the holes. Any extra glue is cleaned up and the frame is then painted. Best case scenario is that all you need do is reinstall those bosses with epoxy. As to why they pulled out in the first place, there's no telling. Not enough glue to begin with?

Of course, the idea of getting a frame that may be faulty, even with something as minor as that, might hint at other flaws waiting to be discovered. If it is under warranty and you can easily replace it, do that.

kmkurdone

Thanks for all the responses. I have made a couple calls and will hopefully get some news soon. In the meantime, has anybody dealt with American Bicycle Group's warranty service? I am wondering how long it took to go through the red-tape, get a new frame, etc. Thanks in advance!