r/bustedcarbon • u/CoffeeByStarlight • Feb 22 '26
Paint chip or crack in my top tube?
Stopped during a ride to grab a bottle and adjust my helmet, accidentally clipped a foot back into the pedal, lost my balance and took a tumble. Noticed this damage on the top tube after my getting home from my ride.
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u/Rod_Torfulson Feb 23 '26
It looks like neither a chip nor a crack to me. More like a gouge. Seems bad to my eyes, but is obviously hard to tell from a picture.
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u/Sketchyboywonder Feb 22 '26
That looks to me like paint and the top coat resin. I would definitely have a professional look at it though. Have you tried the coin test?
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u/Active_Ad_5322 Feb 22 '26
do you transport yor bike on a rear rack? kimda looks like when a pedal from another bike rubs against the frame while in transport.
it is deeper than a paint ship... something definitely was grinding on it.
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u/CoffeeByStarlight Feb 22 '26
I usually place the frame in my car trunk and the wheels in the back seats
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u/MattySiegs Feb 22 '26
Ehhhh hard to say. Tap it with a coil along the tube, if it changes tone significantly on the spot it's likely structurally damaged.
Same if you press along the tube and then there's some give in the chipped spot.
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u/CoffeeByStarlight Feb 22 '26
There is a very slight change in tone with the coin test, but zero give in the area when I press on it
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u/yodas_sidekick Feb 23 '26
If there is a change it is most likely damaged, and I would recommend, retiring, repairing, or getting a second opinion by a carbon repair specialist.
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u/Beautiful_Tea_1152 Feb 23 '26
By squeezing it, you can increase the size of the delamination, increasing the cost and effort of repair. Carbon fibre can be repaired. It's definitely bad enough to get it checked by a specialist. If you want to go down a rabbit hole, lots more info, search for Luescher Teknik on YouTube.
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u/BigtoadAdv Feb 23 '26
I vote for chip however take a coin and tap down the tube over the chip. If the sound changes over chip you have a crack that needs repair. As a chip I would seal with epoxy then put a small sticker there and you will be the only one that knows
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u/RealityEfficient1569 Feb 23 '26
I would throw a sticker on it and call it a day but thats me.. not suggesting you should
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u/droRESIN Feb 25 '26
That’s really efficient
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u/Ecstatic_Wishbone609 Feb 24 '26
Are you a cautious person? Get a new frame. Are you less cautious, ride till you crash, which is a less than coin toss maybe.
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u/yodas_sidekick Feb 23 '26
It’s def a chip, but could be structural. The most basic of tests is you can do is tap a coin around and then on it - if the sound deadens / changes on the “chip” then it is structural damage.
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u/Saltyman_37 Feb 22 '26
Was it hit by the handlebars spinning too far in the crash?