Damaged Carbon Bike

Snagged from "Cycling, London, and Life" - Ham's Fork. Hmm...

If you have damaged, or suspect you have damaged your bike frame, fork, or seat post, you have four choices. Regardless of your choice, I suggest you start by taking the damaged item to your local mechanic. While few local mechanics have training or equipment to effect a carbon repair, they MIGHT be able to help you get consideration from the manufacturer on a warranty action or manufacturer goodwill gesture. Yes, it may be a long shot, but an inquiry is always a good start. In rare cases, a local mechanic may know a place to go for composite repair. If nothing else, you’ll feel a better about whatever course you may take afterwards. I also suggest that you take GOOD, dated photos of the damage and the damaged area for future reference.

#1 – You can ignore the damage and hope for the best.

#2 – You can send it to a specialist.

#3 – You can proof load it to verify it is safe to keep in service.

#4 – You can scrap the thing.

Depending on the component, any of the four choices may be best.

IF the damaged item is unlikely to cause serious bodily harm upon failure, I suggest using approach #1, #3, or #4. Components I would take this approach with include seat posts, drivetrain components, and items such as the carbon water bottle holder. Actually, I’d ONLY take approach #4 once the offending part either broke or was clearly falling apart. Obviously, if your carbon water bottle holder snaps, it’s time for #4.

IF the damaged item is so expensive that #4 is unacceptable, and the damage is severe and readily apparent, I suggest considering approach #2. In truth, if you have enough money, almost any carbon damage CAN be repaired and made as good as new. If you are the sort who enthusiastically has learned how to build his/her OWN carbon bike, as outlined here, you can repair it yourself, and then apply approach #3. I would usually restrict this approach to structural damage to the frame itself.

IF the damaged item’s failure might inflict serious bodily harm, but isn’t the frame itself, I suggest you consider approach #3. The advantage of approach #3 is that if it fails in proof load, #4 becomes a “no brainer.” Items that fall into this category include the front fork, wheels (especially the front), and handlebars.

Notes on #2

Assuming you come up short locally, there ARE outfits that perform structural repairs on composites. One example is here. Another is here. They’re not cheap, but neither is a new carbon frame.

Notes on #3
This merits a separate post of its own. IMHO, this is the only reliable and economical way you can ensure that your damaged carbon bike item is safe. Keep in mind that if it FAILS, it WILL be broken. At that point, unless you have complete and thorough documentation of the actions you have taken, the manufacturer will probably take the position that you have voided any warranty by your actions. "Do ya feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?"