Heeeeelp - is this a crack developing? now with added pics

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May 23, 2012, 10:09:39 PM

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[dgould]

Dudes, I might be being paranoid, but I've spotted a fw hairline cracks in the paint around the seat tube of my Meta 6. Nothing looks out of place inside and I have been observing the minimum insertion rule on the seatpost.

It's difficult to see on the pic - just above the weld. What do you recommend I do - if it needs a replacement, how long do these things take?
Any advice appreciated.

Dan

[bong69uk]

First thing i would do is to get some paint (pref one the same colour,get a colour match from ure local motor factor) and paint over the cracks,be generous making sure a good coat is on, and then keep an eye on the area,if the crack shows again then it will more than likely be a crack in the weld,but if it doesnt then it will just have been the paint cracking from the metal etc flexing etc,which is hopefully and more than likely the case.
If it turns out to be a crack in the weld contact the shop you got it from and they will advise u what to do.

[Snakes]

It is impossible to see anything on that picture. Take closer one and zoom it a little in some program.
I would just ride the bike, if it is crack it will spread slowly.

[dgould]

it will just have been the paint cracking from the metal etc flexing etc,which is hopefully and more than likely the case.

Does Alu flex?

I hope you're right mate - it's not the weld, more likely the parent metal above on the seat tube.

[domino0]

titanium, aluminium, steel, carbon fibre, everything flexes, that is why some people feel the rear end of the 2008 arent strong/stiff enouugh,  

[Crag]

Paint it??? WTF, and risk impaling yourself on your snapped bike.  Get it back to your dealers and get a new one.  History dictates it's very likely to be snapped - either that or there are some very poor paintjobs on metas

[domino0]

no u paint it and then if the paint cracks again, you know for sure there is a crack in the frame, however small

[fly6154]

you can buy a dye that pentrates cracks,you would have to rub the paint off locally,then apply it and it only stays on if there is a crack,we used it a lot in the press tool game etc etc.

[mc]

Crack detection spray is good, but as you say, it does involve stripping back to bare metal.

Putting fresh paint over the crack maybe doesn't provide as quick a result and isn't quite so effective, but it does work.

A better photo would help though.

[dgould]

any better?

[dgould]

or this?

[steveb]

Looks like a crack, but better pics needed to be sure. Somewhere on the camera will be a setting called macro. Select this setting and take the pics again, in natural sunlight with no flash.

[bong69uk]

no u paint it and then if the paint cracks again, you know for sure there is a crack in the frame, however small

Exactly dude. saved me explaining it.

[dgould]

If it is a dreaded crack - what's the estimated replacement time. F'ing nest bit of summer is here and mi bike might be screwed!!

[Russalf]

If it is a dreaded crack - what's the estimated replacement time. F'ing nest bit of summer is here and mi bike might be screwed!!

Looks like a crack to me im afraid, i would keep riding it and see if it grows first i highly doubt it will fail catastrophicly

My replacements took:

First frame took 6 weeks

Second frame took 3 1/2 weeks