Carbon Fiber Damage?
05-30-21, 01:35 PM
#1
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Carbon Fiber Damage?
Bought a NOS Kestrel Talon (nice SRAM rival). Probably 2010/2011 era. Was otherwise new in original Kestrel box, not sure if damaged during shipping. Have not ridden. Damage to seat stay. I tapped a penny along the seat stay (both sides for comparison), over the part showing visual damage the tone seems to get lower. Tone is sounds consistently pitched on other (non-damaged) side. Does the discoloration mean anything? Does it appear cosmetic?
What would you do? Send it back or ride it? (Not interested in dying so will probably send back).
What would you do? Send it back or ride it? (Not interested in dying so will probably send back).
05-30-21, 01:48 PM
#2
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I vote "send it back."
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05-30-21, 01:51 PM
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I'd send it back.
I did a 1218 km Grand Randonnee with this weird, new creaking noise. I thought it was my BB. Afterwards, I discovered that half of the carbon left seat stay was crushed by the airlines on the flight overseas. I got it fixed by Calfee when I got home. They did a perfect job. Absolutely perfect.
I did a 1218 km Grand Randonnee with this weird, new creaking noise. I thought it was my BB. Afterwards, I discovered that half of the carbon left seat stay was crushed by the airlines on the flight overseas. I got it fixed by Calfee when I got home. They did a perfect job. Absolutely perfect.
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05-30-21, 02:56 PM
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Send it back.
05-30-21, 03:18 PM
#5
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Send it back, looks like damage to me. And sounds like it from your tap test.
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05-30-21, 03:20 PM
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To be honest it's hard to tell from your photo. If it looks like it's been crushed or gouged then I would send it back. If it's just a surface scrape then it will probably be okay. But can't really tell from your photo.
05-30-21, 03:28 PM
#7
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Something like that is not expected with NOS.
Unfortunately, bikes are routinely poorly packed in bike boxes.
Unfortunately, bikes are routinely poorly packed in bike boxes.
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05-30-21, 03:42 PM
#8
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
05-30-21, 03:59 PM
#9
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Don't get freaked out. They are pretty tough:-
https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/the-d...-bicycle-weak/
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05-30-21, 05:59 PM
#10
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Tap testing can indicate if further investigation is needed. It's rarely as conclusive as people make it sound. In the aircraft situations that I have had to use it, the false positives and negatives make me mistrust it. More precise methods would be to 'flex' it and listen, and finely scrape it to see any cracks. Of course, if you have the option to send it back or have a professional look at it definitely use the option. It is far from end of the line though. Depending on how interested you are, there are certified shops who fix carbon frames. In fact carbon is one of the most repairable materials given the right means.
05-30-21, 06:26 PM
#11
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It's harder in a situation like this with old, unmolested items that aren't being made anymore and may not be replaceable. But that describes your teeth too. 🙂
05-30-21, 06:45 PM
#12
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I read that the "tap test" is nowhere near perfect as noted above. But I don't want to take a chance. It is a Kestrel Talon with a 53/39 crankset so it would be ridden at high speeds and I don't want to have to pay for dental implants lol.
05-30-21, 08:39 PM
#13
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Another vote for sending it back. Bike is not worth a ton of money and while cool it is NIB I wouldn't risk it for that one.
05-30-21, 10:04 PM
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The 'tap' test is very accurate for bicycle frames. They're thin, hollow, and you can get a good visual as well. In this case I would trust it with a high degree of certainty.
05-31-21, 07:16 PM
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1) my bet looking at the pic is it will be ok;
2) even if a single stay fails, it’s not likely to cause a catastrophic accident;
3) it’s not right and not what you paid for, so I spite of 1 and 2, I’d send it back.
2) even if a single stay fails, it’s not likely to cause a catastrophic accident;
3) it’s not right and not what you paid for, so I spite of 1 and 2, I’d send it back.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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08-29-21, 11:09 AM
#17
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If it was sold at a price that included the dings, then you got what you paid for. It only looks like a ding to the clear coat of finish or resin over the carbon cloth. So for me, I'd just remove the loose stuff and put some resin on it and be done, other than like any damage to any bike of any material, I'd look at it a little closer once in a while.
But it will be better for you to get a idea from someone that does CF repair on CF bikes if you are not confident in your own ability and judgement of whether it is an issue or not.
edit.... hmm late to the party. Didn't see that the OP had already gotten a solution.
09-05-21, 07:45 PM
#19
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I think their inventory is now as you would expect. Did find what I think could give the Kestrel a run for its a money -- a 2008 Cervelo Soloist (aluminum). Have hit many PBs on it.
