Author Topic: Hairline crack on my frame (Read 17400 times)

Steve GT · « **on:** 21 May, 2009, 10:51:47 am »

After giving my Titanium Airborne Zeppellin bike a wash last night I was horrified to see this:

It's just a hairline crack on the welding above the bottom bracket, but I am worried it could develop into something larger.
Should I be riding the bike as it is?
I was planning to use this bike on Saturday on a tough 100 mile sportive with some very hairy descents.
Regards.
Steve.

Jurek · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 May, 2009, 10:59:07 am »

Quote from: Steve GT on 21 May, 2009, 10:51:47 am

.......it could develop into something larger.

Quote from: Steve GT on 21 May, 2009, 10:51:47 am

......a tough 100 mile sportive with some very hairy descents.

Those two combined tell me: No, do not ride it.

*goes off to inspect welds*

Rhys W · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 May, 2009, 10:59:29 am »

A couple of extra zip ties should hold it together.

I wouldn't even sit on it, and I'd be getting in contact with the manufacturer right now.

clarion · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:01:04 am »

I'd definitely agree with Jurek, and I suspect you know the answer yourself, however upsetting it might be.

Disclaimer: I would just like to state that my advice that you don't ride is purely based on concern for your safety, and has nothing whatever to do with our relative positions on Bikejournal

mike · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:02:00 am »

+1 for Rhys' answer, and getting another bike ready for the weekend

Charlotte · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:09:00 am »

Go back to the manufacturer. Do not pass go. Do not collect £200 and whatever the bloody hell you do, don't ride this frame again.

Count yourself lucky that you've noticed this, most people probably wouldn't.

Steve GT · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:16:51 am »

Thanks for the replies. It wont be ridden again.

Which is a pity as it was my most comfortable bike and a joy to ride.

plug · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:18:56 am »

I'd have a word with the chap at Van Nicholas about whether they will replace it under warranty or do you a cheap replacement. They were honouring Airborne warrantys for a while, but not sure if that is still the case.

Regulator · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:20:43 am »

+1 to the above.

Speak to the chaps at Van Nicholas - they're normally very helpful. It may be worth speaking to Paul Smith of this parish as well.

mike · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:23:52 am »

if only someone was selling a sportive suitable bike on the classifieds board.

Oh, hang on..

(also available for short term, short notice lends)

Really Ancien · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:59:35 am »

I had a cheap titanium frame go in just the same place. It was replaced with steel.

Damon.

Chris N · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 May, 2009, 12:07:27 pm »

I wonder if the cause of the crack is the same as this:

è½‰å¯„: Alloy Frame testing - crack and FAIL! on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

By welding the BB shell, seat tube and down tube all at the same time, the front of the seat tube isn't properly attached to the BB shell.

Better pic of the frame solution. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Solution is to weld the seat tube onto the BB shell, then weld the down tube to the BB and seat tube.

Oh, and I wouldn't ride it like that either.

hammond1975 · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 May, 2009, 03:51:32 pm »

I would not ride that any further.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 May, 2009, 04:01:59 pm »

Oh bugger. An ex-frame.

*Wishes he was at home to check welds on his VN*

Ian H · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 May, 2009, 04:49:30 pm »

That's interesting because I'd expect the crack to be above the weld, through the thinner metal of the seat-tube. I suspect that the BB shell isn't cracked through but that the weld has broken away from it. In other words, the weld at that point is faulty. Similar to but different from chrisN's example (where the seat tube has cracked).

Unlikely it would fail catastrophically; you'd notice a strangely wobbly feel to the bike when the seat tube finally detached.

Zoidburg · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 May, 2009, 05:32:17 pm »

I think it could fail catastrophically, that weld having gone means that the other welds holding the front triangle together are now being stressed in manner they were not meant to take.

Newtons law n all that.

Really Ancien · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 May, 2009, 05:37:34 pm »

It would start creaking before it let go, first when you were honking, then getting worse as it spread.

Damon.

Hot Flatus · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 May, 2009, 06:31:11 pm »

Quote from: hammond1975 on 21 May, 2009, 03:51:32 pm

I would not ride that any further.

But that's because you only ever ride your bikes 100 miles before dismantling them and selling the bits here

Steve GT · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 May, 2009, 06:54:34 pm »

Ouch! not something I would like to experiance!

Steve GT · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 May, 2009, 06:59:40 pm »

I have contacted Cyclesense in Tadcaster, where I bought the bike from. They will get into contact with Van Nicholas for me. The understanding he had about the matter was that van Nicholas would (or used to) honour Airborne guarentees for frames not older than 5 years. As mine is 4 years old I am hoping that I get the frame replaced.

valkyrie · « **Reply #20 on:** 21 May, 2009, 11:03:12 pm »

I think you should ride the event on it. It'll probably be OK. And I'm curious to find out what happens...

andrew_s · « **Reply #21 on:** 22 May, 2009, 12:05:43 am »

I had a frame break there once. It was OK to ride 40 miles back home on, via a diversion to the pub since it seemed to be coping OK.
40 (ish) year old Mercian.

hammond1975 · « **Reply #22 on:** 22 May, 2009, 12:15:18 am »

Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 21 May, 2009, 06:31:11 pm

Quote from: hammond1975 on 21 May, 2009, 03:51:32 pm
I would not ride that any further.

But that's because you only ever ride your bikes 100 miles before dismantling them and selling the bits here

Very funny not, I have had the same 2 bikes for over a year now 1500 miles +, the reason for selling parts etc is upgrades and trying different things out, I hope that is ok by you.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #23 on:** 22 May, 2009, 12:33:30 am »

Quote from: hammond1975 on 22 May, 2009, 12:15:18 am

Quote from: Monsieur Pumpé on 21 May, 2009, 06:31:11 pm
Quote from: hammond1975 on 21 May, 2009, 03:51:32 pm
I would not ride that any further.

But that's because you only ever ride your bikes 100 miles before dismantling them and selling the bits here

Very funny not, I have had the same 2 bikes for over a year now 1500 miles +, the reason for selling parts etc is upgrades and trying different things out, I hope that is ok by you.

not all-right by me

I have done 1500 miles in under 2 months on one bike

: Upgrades didn't happen until 18 months later when the drivetrain wore out.

Steve GT · « **Reply #24 on:** 22 May, 2009, 01:55:32 pm »

I have just heard from Cyclesense that Van Nicholas will replace the frame, so thats good news.

Author Topic: Hairline crack on my frame (Read 17400 times)

plug

Really Ancien

Chris N

hammond1975

Zoidburg

Really Ancien

hammond1975