Carbon frame damage - what would you do?

Equipment
1

Hi all,

I brought my ~ 2.5year old Canyon CF SLX 8 to the Canyon shop for maintainance + some baring replacements. They found some carbon damage on the frame (I thought it was only paint). There is some paint damage on other spots (I bought it at a discount from Canyon before).

I now have 3 options:

  1. Keep it as is (it is a small dent) and hope everything remains safe and replace it a couple of years from now.
  2. Take bike to carbon repear - will cost me ~ 500-600 euro including disassembling and assembling the bike. (I dont feel confident doing that myself)
  3. I can get a discount on a new frame (still under guarantee), but total cost for the frame + work will be ~ 1200 euro.

What would you do? I am considering option 3 as it will give me practically a brand new bike at about 1/4th the cost of a new bike, without any scratches. Although it will cost about 700 euro more than the carbon repair.

Curious about your thoughts,
Maarten

2

Option 3 for me.

I have actually repaired a cracked carbon frame myself but it was 15 years ago when I went head first into any challenge …

1 Like
3

New frame is almost like a new bike. Go for it.

4

Post some pics.

A lot depends on location, size, etc. I’m not sure I’d trust the average shop to diagnose carbon unless it’s really obvious.

1 Like
5

It would be #3 for me unless the damage isn’t strucural (then I’d just ride it). And another version of #3 is to buy the frame and swap the parts over yourself. I’m not sure how much of that 1200 euro is the frame vs. the labor to swap parts, but it’s not rocket science and a good opportunity to learn if you have interest/time to do it. The $ saved might cover the tools needed (maybe with some left over). For me, there is something inherently more rewarding about building a new bike from a raw frame vs. buying complete.

2 Likes
6

If the old frame is still good otherwise, I‘d repair it. I get the „new bike“ vibe, but you can safe some money and also not create waste and additional environemental impact, when it‘s unnecessary.

I would not ride it as it is, just because I‘d like to minimise the unnecessary risk of injury where possible.

7

Falls under the diaper category.

My girlfriend has been riding a damaged frame for a few years now. No plans for repair.

I recently damaged my frame, I’m going to ride it anyway.

But I’m not too worried based on the damage we have. I don’t know what damage you have, and your risk tolerance. But if I had the cash, the new frame would probably be my option.

8

I would do 1 or 3 depending on severity and need for peace of mind.

9

If you have the skill set (and desire to try), give the repair a try. I had a gravel frame that had a horrible crack on down tube. After repair, it got countless miles off of it till I upgraded to next frame. Wasn’t the prettiest but got the job done.