caci

I’ve posted some classic steel & titanium framed bikes that I’ve built up when I used to ride (decades ago).
I now own a buy/sell shop and acquired a 2017 Specialized Roubaix Expert which has never been on the road (original tires never inflated, until by me).
Just for S’s & G’s I decided to submit it to TPC for a quote. Now, it has some nicks in the finish - see photos.
They “declined” me - said they don’t buy bikes with “broken frames” and suggested some repair businesses.
I’m interested for opinions on whether or not this frame is broken (of course, I know it’s not), or if these scratches are of any concern.
That’s the fork and top tube, with the scratches.

Thanks,
Chris
214-762-2920

_ForceD_

Would you buy it in that condition? I mean apparently TPC is known for selling quality bike in impeccable condition. IMO...the hole in the fork does make it “broken.”

Dan

Bald Paul

Look on the bright side. Components are hard to get right now, and you have everything you need to build up a new bike - with a new frameset. Those "nicks" (especially in the fork) are a failure waiting to happen.
Winspace - t1500 frameset

Troul 

the visual damage is not my biggest concern. The surrounding damage that is not seen, yet in time, will likely show it self. How that unfolds is unpredictable, but to expect a sudden failure is not out of the question. Can it be repaired to be functional for a while longer? Of course it can. Will the effort & cost be worth it; is to be determined by you.

Flip Flop Rider

ride on, just scatches

veganbikes

You didn't see the hole in picture 2 along with that "dent" I wouldn't want to ride that.

The fork maybe fine but the the damage on what looks to be the top tube isn't so good.

Iride01 

It would make no sense for Pro's Closet or any other selling used bikes to purchase for resale a bike with less than perfect appearance.

Why would they want to assume liability for any blemish that they can't know the true history behind.

And if I were looking for a used bike, I'd not even consider those with blemishes I could only look at as reconstructed 1's and 0's being reassembled by my computer and shown to me on my monitor.

caci

To you Armageddonists: Sorry, my pictures sucked - those are just chips and there is gloss material at the bottom of them - that is hard to see from a photo - just chips & scratches.

Even with my updated photos, still hard to see but, plainly, no holes.

Took it to the Specialized Dealer today - “no problem, just chips and scratches...”

My original post was from a knee jerk reaction, by me, when I knew that frame was not broken. It wasn’t until I saw how my photos looked, that I realized it does appear to have holes in the fork (and maybe the top tube).

Thank you for your feedback.

caci

No dent, no hole.

Atlas Shrugged

Classic carbon fear porn. Nothing more than some scratch’s.

caci

My point is being missed....
Since I have this bike, in my hands, I could not understand TPC’s comments.
However, I can NOW see how the ASSUMPTION was made.

Frame not broken - finish is just chipped and scratched. I fully understand how the chips could be misconstrued for “holes”, because of camera angle.

It’s in front of me, no dents no holes, not gonna explode.
Only cosmetic, per 2 Managers at Mellow Johnny’s.

WhyFi

I'm not sure what you're looking for. Is the damage concerning? Yeah, if you're looking to sell it. At this point, it's not a matter of your tolerance to the damage - what you think of it is irrelevant. Only the potential buyer's tolerance matters, now, and anyone that buys that is going to be looking for a deal, and rightly so.

Iride01 

Did the 2 managers at Mellow Johnny's view it on a forum post too? Did they offer to buy your bike so they could resell it?

There is a big difference between being able to have it in your actual possession to inspect and just looking at a picture. So all we can do is make assumptions.

And for resellers, cosmetic damage is almost as bad as damaged. It means the bike will have fewer potential buyers. It'll be held in inventory longer, possibly forever. It's a loss for them.

Troul 

x2

No matter who explains it, minor scuffs are a deal breaker in most cases. The general public will not go off of the random seller's word. To influence the buyer, it would likely have to be "ok'd" by their "expert at everything buddy" . It can look flawless, yet be a heaping pile of doo doo & it'll sell stupid fast when competitively priced.

caci

You guys can save your fingers - this has gone off the rails.
I’m not expecting any of you to appraise, make offers on, or buy this bike.
I simply was bringing up conversation, regarding my experience.
It looks like, according to some of the “experts” whom have responded, that I can pick up some scratched bikes for little to no money.
Can you guys point me to some bargains that have multiple $100 bills taped to them - just for me to carry off?

And, by the way. Johnny’s had plenty of bikes (while the former Specialized dealer- now Trek, has NONE).
“Should have no problem selling that bike.”

If I do decide to sell, it will most likely be face-to-face...

zandoval 

Sad to see these carbon bike injuries and so hard to tell thier seriousness. For me to save up enough money to finally get a carbon bike and then see it injured would break my heart...

Troul 

might not need to worry bout seeing it injured. Unless you ride really slow & with a lot of PPE.

veganbikes

Ok I am guessing you have put hands on it but from the pictures it looks like a hole of some sort.

caci

There’s no hole. It’s remarkable, but with the light on it, at the right angle, you can see the lay-up and glossy finish of the resin. However, I’m finding it impossible to photograph. That’s why it looks like a hole.
Heck, I even had to look twice, once I submitted the photos of the fork.
Also, absolutely NO DENT in the top tube.
I have the bike in my possession. I own it. The pictures are making the chips look FAR worse than they are.
the damage is ONLY IN THE FINISH.
The Specialized dealer that I referred to has actually seen this bike & touched it - in person. Not via computer, holograph, Braille, or my description.

Again, I was initially taken aback by The Pro’s Closet told me they don’t buy “damaged bikes” and referred me to a carbon fiber repair shop.
I’ve since acknowledged that my pictures make it look like there is a hole in the fork - there is not. Also, another commenter said he would touch this bike with its “dented top tube” - it is not.

I’m not of railing on you, just trying to clarify that I have the bike, my pictures suck and I’ve shown it to someone who’s opinion I am comfortable with.

I cannot blame anyone who is commenting on the perils of broken or damaged carbon fiber frames, but this damage is just in the finish.
if someone wants to comment that “I would never buy a scratched bike”, I’ve no issue with them - it’s still a free Country.
However, the armchair structural engineers claiming that its “a disaster waiting to happen” - I’m in disagreement with them.

Thanks,
Chris

Eric F 

I see scratches in the finish, but nothing that looks like any kind of structural concern. CF is not as fragile as many people believe it to be.

wolfchild

Just stay away from carbon frames and components. Steel and aluminium are a much better material for bike frame and components.

Troul 

"Then said Cyclist unto him, Put up again thy carbon frame into his cliplessness: for all they that take the carbon frame shall perish with the carbon frame."
Thy Troul 08, 21:41

caci

I brought the bike to the Shop, for them to see, in person.

Iride01 

They aren't around. Most of their owners think they are worth something. So they ask almost new retail prices for their scratched up bikes.

I think you extrapolated that statement from words of others, including me, without understanding what they said.

However, now will be a good time to sell yours while the interruptions to the supply chain are in your favor. Might briefly swing the other way before returning to whatever the new normal will be.

Eric F 

You forgot the sarcasm font.