local cf repair?

Thread started by
_iJunes at 03.25.09 - 10:01 am
anybody know any local carbon fiber frame repair shops?
its not any significant damage, but better taken care of now before later. all the ones i've found are too far away
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calfee in la selva. a buddy at work got his scott worked on when the seatstay cracked.
783 San Andreas Road
La Selva Beach, CA 95076
Toll Free: 1-800-965-2171
Tel: 831-728-1859
Fax: 831-728-8459
mmaceda03.25.09 - 10:23 am
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IMO repairing carbon fiber is a mixed bag because it's so hard to tell if the damage extends deep into the structure, or is just surface damage. Once the structure is compromised it's really hard to repair with any confidence.
That being said, the guys at Calfee are basically geniuses and can probably make a good assessment as to if it can be fixed and do a good job if it can be...
e-rock03.25.09 - 10:29 am
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eck i dont want to ship it all the way over there. just shipping it alone is a hassle.
the majority of the damage is cosmetic, its just one small tiny gash i'm worried about but can't tell because of the outer layer of pain thats sittin in it. if you look deep into it, it looks like a few fibers are cut. but it could but just the protective paint layer. the tap test doesn't indicate a change in pitch and the frame rides well otherwise. calfee's repair would be 100, but shipping would be 30-60 alone...
_iJunes03.25.09 - 10:35 am
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carbon fiber fails catastrophically
if it blows and you crash that could be the end, for a while, how much is this frame worth to you?
e-rock03.25.09 - 10:39 am
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its worth enough because i only paid a small fraction of the original cost to begin with. i'm gonna take it to a couple of shops and get their take on it.
_iJunes03.25.09 - 10:42 am
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do you like titanium?I might be able to get you a litespeed. what size do you ride, junu?
mmaceda03.25.09 - 10:43 am
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im a 54, here is the damage maybe all you can feed your input too.
_iJunes03.25.09 - 10:44 am
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@ junu
that looks pretty bad for damage to carbon..
mmaceda03.25.09 - 10:51 am
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is it purely cosmetic?
or is there damage to the fiber?
was it from an impact, or from friction?
you might consider finding a boat shop...
essentially carbon fiber is just resin + layers of fiber....
you could also buy resin (the right kind) and patch it...although, it might not be very smooth....
i've been meaning to do some carbon resin repair on my brake lever and derailleur that got damaged in a crash...if I do it soon, I'll let you know how it comes out
adrian03.25.09 - 12:01 pm
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You guys riding damaged cf bikes are the true daredevils!
I tip my hat off to you sir.
Just make sure you get that crash on video, yeah?
User103.25.09 - 12:16 pm
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I wouldn't risk it, but if it's you chain stay that fails it will hurt a lot less than if your fork failed.
Mook03.25.09 - 12:28 pm
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yeah junes WTF??? craig is not gonna be happy.
sancho103.25.09 - 12:31 pm
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I don't really trust carbon stuff so I'm biased.
I hack sawed my old carbon fork in 1/2 after I was hit because I didn't want someone to pull it out of the trash and use it. It had way less damage than that, at least what I could see. Either way for me, a new fork is cheaper than a new face.
Mook03.25.09 - 12:36 pm
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it was chainsuck, actually theres a layer of unidirectional carbon over the weaves because back in the 90s they were extra careful with cf, i got 4 shops opinion, they all say because of liability they have to claim catastrophic failure, calfee is estimating a level 2 repair. the chain came off, and got pedaled backwards, which stripped the paint, i can't feel a difference, no noise. i'm gonna put on a clear coat, take it easy for a bit and send it in when i have the money.
_iJunes03.25.09 - 12:51 pm
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DO NOT USE CLEAR COAT!
there are lots of chemicals out there, many of which might actually react with the resin/paint on your frame
if you want to protect it, use clear nail polish for a temporary fix, otherwise go out and get 2-part epoxy resin and do it right
e-rock03.25.09 - 12:58 pm
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err i meant clear nail polish.
i'll look into the epoxy
_iJunes03.25.09 - 1:23 pm
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