You’ve Broken A Carbon Bike - THIS Is What To Do Now

Breaking a carbon bike is bad enough. That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach is awful. But what about that line on your frame? The one that might just be a paint crack, but could be something far worse.
We head to Carbon Bike Repair to shed light on the mysterious world of carbon repair. Their experts take you through how to check your bike at home and point out the signs of damage you should look for.
The Carbon Bike Repair team then explain the repair process, showing us their state-of-the-art robotics, before finishing with the secrets of how they get bikes looking brand new again.
But will Liam be able to remember which seatstay he broke?
#cycling #bike #carbon
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:59 Types Of Carbon Damage And How To Spot It
06:25 The Repair Process
08:40 The Coolest Robot Ever
10:15 Restoring A Factory Finish
13:03 Difficult Decals
14:28 The Finished Result
Cross-Country Or Gravel? We Do Battle On The Beach
→ • Cross-Country Or Grave...
Is Carbon REALLY Better Than Aluminium?
→ • Is Carbon REALLY Bette...
Carbon Sceptic? Top 5 Aluminium MTBs You Can Buy In 2023
→ • Carbon Sceptic? Top 5 ...
5 ULTRALIGHT Hill Climb Bikes | 2023 National Hill Climb Champs
→ • 5 ULTRALIGHT Hill Clim...
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[@bikeradar]

Have you ever broken your carbon frame? Let us know if you fixed it in the comments below 👇 👇

[@79devo]

Yep. Had a crash and obviously fractured the frame. Found a local carbon repair man. Brilliant job. New lay up and paint finish. Can’t see any repair. £100

[@luukrutten1295]

Yes i have, they did a similar process. But since I was a racer i never had it sprayed or refinished, although they do offer the service. So i had a little bit of a visiible bulge on my seatstay. But that meant the repair job was as cheap as possible for my crit frame.

[@jeskli11]

I was making a video as a school homework for P. E. , where I was playing guitar whilst riding on rollers (you can actually see it on my channel). Whilst I was setting the cameras, a small gust of wind blew my bike leaning on the fence onto the frame of the rollers, which caused a crack on the seatstays similar as the one you had. I had it repaired relatively cheaply without respraying the place and it was fine for three more years. This spring an old lady in a car pulled from a stop sign just in front of me, I had no option but to crash straight into that car riding about 45 kph. The frame got cracked just above the previous repair and… in at least three other places and the fork ended up literally in three pieces. I didn't even bother asking if this could be fixed, just took off the somewhat usable components (almost every single one was at least scratched) and threw the frameset and some other parts into the garbage container.

[@robskinner]

Great video. I was very impressed by Carbon Bike Repair, who recently checked my damaged bike and confirmed it wasn't cracked while I waited - for free! Will definitely use them if I need a bike repaired in future.

[@mickelkobeck7376]

I broke a Canyon Aeroad 2 years ago....couldn't be repaired....made a lamp out of it.

[@festerofest4374]

Wish we could post photos here in comments... would be cool to see it.

[@jEsperesence]

Well done mate🛋️

[@mickelkobeck7376]

@@festerofest4374 If I could I would..it's pretty cool....lol

[@cycleoflife565]

Why couldn’t it be repaired?

[@mickelkobeck7376]

@@cycleoflife565 Toptube was cracked in 2 separate locations...after consulting with Canyon, they told me they would "sorta" honor the warranty and that they would rather I didn't ride the frame again. Sorta honoring the warranty was me getting a replacement frame at basically 1/2 cost.

[@navca]

Come on... that repair is just a quick patch. Regular epoxy, no/minimal pressure to compact the layers and remove excess resin, regular twill weave CF, mild curing, and an ugly bump later sanded, destroying all fiber continuity... That is a 50-70€ patch, not an structural repair. Hope that guy never gets close to an airplane 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🫣

[@stevetreinen3342]

Great video, the technology is truly amazing. I for one appreciate the skills and expertise. I repaired a very old carbon that had sat on the wall broken. I sent it to Italy for repair because I had ties to the bike having won many races on it. So for me the expense was well worth it. There are some things you can’t replace. I live in the US and would consider Rob and his team in the future.

[@larrylem3582]

They seem to have left a lot of info out. If after wrapping a cracked frame member, the fabric and epoxy builds up, gets cured, then is ground down to the original outer dimension, they've simply removed everything they added. It seems they needed to have ground down the area of the crack in order to add material that would end up at the final outer dimension. (They didn't say anything about adding material and compressing it from the inside.)

[@Fred-mv8fx]

Yeah , there's bound to be some seepage of the resin into the crack, but that would replace the void left by delamination with resin which isn't as strong as the original carbon fiber. Once brought back to the original dimension, the delaminated carbon would have been removed so that only the resin remains. Likewise with fractures - maybe the fracture is rejoined by resin, but carbon fiber's strength is due to the continuous fibers. They definitely seem to have the facilities and know-how, but I would expect them to consider some of the finer details like that when recording a video about the details.

[@chrisbilsborrow9329]

Finally someone with some sense 👍 you can’t grind a hole in a frame and just stick some wet plys on and have no pressure from behind. I don’t think they know how to get pressure behind or in a tube that’s blocked off.

[@johnbuxton3841]

Sadly the part we all want to know was not mentioned this being the cost. I am aware all repairs will be different, but a rough idea would be helpful.

[@JustinCrediblename]

when the chainstay of my in-tension specialized roubiax split in half, I just bought a bunch of epoxy, a heck of a lot of flexible-weave carbon fiber, built a jig because the frame is under tension and it needs to dry symmetrically, attached the frame so that it's under tension, and basically quadrupled the thickness of the carbon member by wrapping THE HELL out of it. It's ugly and I don't care about it being visible because specialized deserves the recognition for making a weak frame and it's my duty to warn others.

[@JibbaJabber]

I salute you for your service 🫡

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Incredible craftsmanship.

[@burtmabel545]

Tell us about the cost.

[@mrmrg87]

Man I’m getting Deja vu, how many bike channels have been to this shop 😄

[@aurusbr]

Amazing video, thanks

[@treyquattro]

the obvious un-answered question: how much?

[@ThePeter123a]

The most sensitive part is the carbon head tube. I've already damaged 2 in accidents so badly that the fork made noises and was replaced. In the first accident, I drove a car at 36 km/h into the door because it ran over the STOP sign. Afterwards I had a titanium tube in my right upper arm.

[@JohnBatty]

This is all very well, but lacks crucial context; at what cost?

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@JogBird]

i had a gouge in the braking surface of my carbon wheel.. i just used epoxy resin to fill the gouge and it works now fine

[@NunoJoel]

This is Top Noch! Scary so many Specialized Frames for repair lol

[@holdenmcgroin8699]

Oh there’s a de-lamination *presses thumb over and de-laminates it further*

[@airthom]

A very interesting video! Thank you for that! What medium is used to radiate the color? The carbon of the frame must not be damaged.

[@openwheelracing88]

how much does that cost though?

[@gordonhenderson1965]

Definitely equal to a new mid-range carbon bike from the LBS.

[@shimona500]

@@gordonhenderson1965You can get a carbon bike for 400 eur? That's what my local expert charges for repair with 15 yrs of experience. The crux frameset crash replacement is around 2000 from Spesh, so even this must be much lower than that.

[@rbro3001]

Great program. Can you please do a program on repairing Ti frames?

[@corail53]

That would just need to be welded up by someone who knows how to weld Ti. Just like any other metal frame.

[@MrRay645]

only wrecked 4 frames in my life, two steel and one aluminum and one carbon... all three were cracks. one of the steel bike broke on the chain stay and was a done deal, pedaled the rest home. all these materials can fail, all these materials could be designed as road bikes or DH bikes, I would not bother re repair any of these materials.... tried that on the steel Surly and failed again same spot. Carbon one hurt the most because I somehow I just pulled the metal thread mount out of the seat stay a little with a light weight rack... I think the frame was wanting flex a tiny bit and the rack did not, the mount gave way at about the 180 mile mark of my trip. bike rides the same, shifts the same, looks like its not structural but I just cant trust it so it will hang on the basement wall :(

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Black fiberglas. Costs more to buy, repair, etc.

[@qwertyazerty2137]

Pity you didn't discussed outright snaps, ie. Is it repairable and safe to ride a frame that got snapped in half as shown on the video thumbnail.

[@justinfo-jepy355]

having to worry of this problem all the time takes us from the joy of riding... I just shifted to carbon frame for the first time. and every time i see these problem makes me worry all the time lol... this will be my first and last carbon. if this breaks im gonna go back to alloy and steel frames..

[@cazarilolsen4630]

Makes me to never want to own a carbon.

[@MrRay645]

if it makes you feel any better out of the four frames I have cracked only one was carbon and I did that mounting a rack. Broken is broken, a massive crack or a small dent, bend or a popped weld you are still pretty much done and in the same position... fix and repaint. FYI my repaired steel bike failed again in under a year (and google confirmed I was not alone in this) so I would not put much stock in the repairability of one material over another unless you have VERY VERY skilled people doing the work....far and few between.

[@treyquattro]

I cracked the down tube on a carbon road bike. Got a replacement bike.

[@snfangerfortaketnomo6386]

I have a dent in my alu frame, but i dont worry. It still runs ok. 👍

[@areess1338]

I was on the fence about buying a carbon fibre frame now after seeing this it's a definite no what a joke that's the worst repair job I've ever seen all the materials ground completely off and what's left in it, not very much.

[@event4216]

All that technology marvel and people working for you....! It ain't no cheap, I guess, and for a reason.

[@hemtone1]

This mid year, I crashed (fall to the side after sliding) my new Cervelo Aspero-5 after ridden over 3000 miles. It wasn't even a hard fall and I didn't have any bleeding scratch on my body. However, my drive side upper stay had an inch long scratch line and my derailleur cage bend. I bought a new rear derailleur, took it to LBS and have them inspect it; they said frame is crack. It end up costing me $900 to fix the frame and a new $400 derailleur just for that stupid little crash. I will never buy an eeeffnn carbon frame bike again and my Aspero-5 will go to the wife. I had to wait two months to get the frame fix. I ended buying a new Moots Routt CRD titanium and it's arriving next week.

[@event4216]

Terrible experience crashing new bike. I just hope Ti frame doesn't backfire with a crack at weld as they _may_ do and then it all depends on who made it and what warranty they gave. But you already know Moots is a safe bet.

[@hemtone1]

@@event4216 Moots frame is life time warranty for original owner and I'm going to own it for life so no need to worry about that broken frame anymore. It will be fixed by Moots if cracks occurred. With the Cervelo if it crack there goes another thousand or so. I don't see how carbon frame is a good investment after my experience. This is my first time owning carbon frame.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

I've never met a disappointed Moots owner.

[@minhnguyen9668]

Where can I contact to repair the carbon frame? Can you give me their address?

[@noobcyclist1017]

Great video. But i hated the click bait thumbail. I thought i would see a halfed carbon bike being repair

[@SolidxSnakexDuke]

the best thing is When it´s yours you can destroi it buy a new bike is a live syclus of destroing things an buying

[@gc641]

Wouldn’t it be cheaper just to buy a new frame?

[@JustinCrediblename]

I spent about 75 bucks on carbon and epoxy to repair my split-in-half chainstay. It literally folded inward and became 100% split. Now it's about 300% thicker.

[@gc641]

@@JustinCrediblename thought it would be more

[@JustinCrediblename]

@@gc641 if you want the job to look like any thing but a train wreck, then i'll cost a heck of a lot more :)

[@HasseBananKasse]

I was very dissapointed with Carbon Bike Repair. I hired them to restore the paint on my Colnago C60 which was full of bubbles. They left me with a 90gram heavier frame, still bubbles in all over the frame but new places and 1700euros poorer. When confronted they said it’s well within 98% of factory standard and besides that, I am a difficult customer. So they were happy to fix bubbles in my clearcoat and take me money but when they did a poor job it’s you who are difficult. Wouldn’t recommend them since it’s risky and they don’t have integrity to admit fault.

[@frankhellman6879]

The correct answer is "cry!"

[@rod2998]

Piss on carbon. Steel and aluminum is the way to go! 😊

[@Quarky_]

💯

[@pl4free]

if you wanna ride heavy bikes, then yes!

[@Quarky_]

@@pl4free somebody has weak legs ;⁠-⁠)

[@adamsandler4076]

I did not fancy CF at all. Then I bought second-hand Willier Triestina because it was very well priced and I always loved the look of this bike. After one season I FELL IN LOVE WITH CARBON ! The lightnes when handnling it is obvious. But also the sound CF makes when riding, the warmth of material in cold weather - nobody talks about it. And it is not that easy to scrach or damage (I carry my bike on top bunk in the cabin of my lorry - seriously). So...

[@vongdong10]

Seems like a waste of carbon and time using so much wrap that needs to be removed? Makes more sense to use chopped carbon no?

[@chrisbilsborrow9329]

If you know what your doing with carbon you don’t have build it up like that and grind it off 😂 so shonky. I’ve so many questions as this process baffles me. This isn’t a good way/proper way of repairing carbon fibre. Haven’t seen a vac pump in sight.

[@samochoa6733]

Just the fact that theres carbon bike repair shops. And not alloy bike repairs shops. Says something.

[@samochoa6733]

Let's make a video about alloy bike repair shops now. Are there any out there?

[@87togabito]

Just buy a new bike? Isn’t that so much simpler.

[@savagepro9060]

BikeRadar: "You’ve Bent A Steel Bike - THIS Is What To Do Now. Bend it Back!"

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

Aluminium for the win in 2023

[@cosinus_square]

Riding a carbon frame is like playing frisbee with and iPad.

[@gordonhenderson1965]

Yet my bike is way, way older than my iPad which is pretty much useless now.

[@cosinus_square]

@@gordonhenderson1965 well, you should ride the bike sometimes.

[@Eward9991]

Metal frames will always rule. Worst case scenario it bends (under highly impossible situations), not crack or break like the 'expensive plastic' called carbon

[@JustinCrediblename]

the aluminum alloys used usually don't bend much at all before fracturing

[@Eward9991]

@@JustinCrediblename how many instances have you seen cracked or completely broken metal frames from gnarly bike riding compared to carbon? Alloy metals are super strong and light and not brittle like beloved carbon when things go bad. Titanium and steel are top most superior to anything

[@pl4free]

It bends quite easily and then it's totaled just like carbon, since bending back is not an option. Also aluminium will fail catastrophically at the end of its life. Like out of the blue it will break like a piece of cheap plastic.

[@JustinCrediblename]

@@Eward9991 agreed. I've never had a problem with any of my aluminum bike structure, but I've always bought the tougher aluminum stuff. But I HAVE had my carbon frame chainstay literally split in half when I pedaled hard.

[@Eward9991]

@@pl4free I dont know what type of metal frame you're talking about. Probably some cheap aluminum frame from china. Compare the strength and durability of titanium, steel and super alloy aluminum to any carbon under multiple stress test, then see which one RIPs first. There is a reason the military and many industries aren't going 'all carbon' for building components and machines. Should we try to build another submarine from carbon, for another deep sea implosion?

[@pedalepusheers3647]

Answer to the video title? Don't buy that plastic nonsense. Get a real bike to replace that toy stuff.

[@siriosstar4789]

"it's super strong " until it breaks . carbon sucks . the weight difference for non pro riders is negligible . why pay more hen aluminum has proved itself over and over again . Carbon is more of a prestige thing than a real thing .

[@cecilecorpuz5735]

Buy a QUALITY steel bike and it will last forever!

[@bugsboo1490]

What a completely unnecessary problem we put ourselves in by using carbon frames

[@tomskid27]

Lame. GCN did this video 2 years ago.🥱😒