I would guess not. Is the area soft when you apply pressure? It looks like you've taken the outer coat off. Try taking the BB out and see if you can get your finger along the inside of the chainstay and see if there are any broken shards sticking out the other side.

There are more and more carbon repair specialists focusing on bike frames these days and although I am not an expert I have seen some incredible repairs.

There are numerous specialists in the UK, I would guess there are plenty in the US too.

Check out some the repairs form these guys...


https://www.facebook.com/...omposites/?ref=br_rs

It's a bit soft and doesn't pass the coin sound test.

Where are you based? Best get in touch with some specialists, its much cheaper than buying a new frame and, given that your frame is black, the re-spray would match

Eastern Canada. I'll be doing some research for sure.

Thought you might be UK-based with the timings of your post.

Definitely worth sending some pictures off to specialists, most of the time you just strip your frame and post it off and the send it back repaired. I'm looking at having mine done over the winter but luckily the guys from the link I shared are only a short drive from me.

Good luck

This happens all the time. You bike is very likely fine.

If it were me, I'd pick off the paint with my fingernails, maybe touch it up with a paint pen from the auto parts store, and ride.

Adjust your FD while you're at it, and get a chain catcher.

Oh, and if the chain falls again, STOP PEDALING!

It doesn't help you now, but my felt came with a protector in that area, like this: http://www.feltbicycles.com/...Frame-Protector.aspx

I kind of thought it was useless coming from metal frames but after I dropped a chain one time and saw that it got pretty chewed up I realized what a nice touch it is for carbon frames! If you get it repaired or get a new frame I would invest in something similar for sure.

I'd say it looks fine. I wouldn't take it to a 'specialist' though. I've taken quite a few materials classes and can tell you that these 'specialists' don't know much. To truly see whether or not it's okay you would need to get an ultrasound of of it. Just throw some black or clear nail polish on it and keep riding.

Most carbon repair specialists use ultrasound. Also, did you see the post above where he said it was soft? Definitely not fine in that case.

I get that it may be soft, but it also may be an area where it really doesn't matter. Think about in-frame storage that some bikes have. They're literally cutting a hole in part of the frame. It just doesn't happen to be a crucial area. Also, if you're pushing on it and it feels soft, that's not necessarily the direction the bike would be loaded in while riding.

Not an expert, but I'd wager fine. That's a strong area of the bike frame, and I don't think I've ever seen a bike frame failing from fatigue in that area.

You'll probably have to check for developing cracks from now on, but I'd just otherwise find some black glossy surface to cover the surface appearance, and ride it.

There is alot of carbon around the bottom bracket. Honestly that does not look like you need to replace the frame. Chains drop and mark the clearcoat - a dropped chain does not need a new frame.

" I don't think I've ever seen a bike frame failing from fatigue in that area."

I have. In fact, one of my bikes actually broke there (a Trek-era LeMond carbon, was replaced under warranty with a USPS Trek OCLV) It wasn't a catastrophic failure, so I was riding for a little while before I noticed it, but I wouldn't want to keep riding it. It's the chainstay next to the BB. There is a lot of force going through there.

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I don't know how I will trust it to be honest. I'm going to get someone local to check it out and see what they think. I thought it was just a scuff in the clearcoat at first too but I can pick at bits of the carbon with my fingernail.

Not sure about cervelos, but some carbon frames have a top layer that is non-structural, i.e. its there for cosmetics and a bit of damage protection. you "might" be OK.

that said, it's hard to trust it.

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This exact thing happened to me on this exact same make/model/year frame. I was able to ride it home. Ruckus Composites out of Portland fixed me up for a nominal cost (I think it was like $350 ish) and quick turnaround. That was years ago before they got so popular, but they do good work. I have had years and many thousands of happy miles on the frame since then.

I had my LBS take a look today. 4 guys in the shop checked it out and they all thought it was *probably* ok to ride. But, none of them actually would do so. Pretty much my thought on the matter, it's probably ok but not worth the risk. The bike is almost 10 years old, I got my money's worth out of it.

Thanks for everyone's input.

From just the appearance it looks fine. Just clean it up with a small file or sandpaper and mix up a little clear epoxy glue and seal it up to stop water working it's way in.
I just don't see a mechanism to create a soft spot from an abrasion type injury, but if there truly is a soft spot then fix it or chuck it.

Do this^

Perfect fix. I used a clear epoxy glue on mine with clear coat automotive touch up paint. Easy and quick.

Zenmaster28 wrote:

Eastern Canada. I'll be doing some research for sure.

Send the pic to exor : info@exorpeinture.com
http://www.exorpeinture.com/indexEN.html

I had the exact same thing happen. It definitely went soft - I had rear wheel rub when out of the saddle. Spoke with Calfee about their frame repair, sent it off, and they did a superb job. I didn't even bother repainting it to save money,
and I was able to resell the bike a year or two later with the repair and paperwork from Calfee. Totally worth it.