Anyone have similar issues? All or the joint connections on my Look AL384 frame (3 years old)…the area that bond aluminum to carbon (i.e., chain stays and seat stays joined to down tube and drop outs) exhibit extensive signs of deterioration (e.g., blistering paint on AL side and dots of white on the black carbon side). I am concerned that this deterioration has significantly weakened the joints.
Thanks for you help.
Carbon to aluminum joints have never been a good idea (lugs or stays). These joints will fail eventually if the bicycle is used enough. If the frame has not been crashed, I would try to see if there is a warranty.
Otherwise, go either full carbon or full aluminium.
Sorry about the frame.
Francois in Montreal
When shopping for a new bike, I would personally eliminate ALL companies that are selling such bikes.
I agree with Francois. I purposly bought a 2004 Fely B2 because it is all aluminum and the new one (2005) has Carbon stays. Aside from what what you read, I feel almost no difference in ride quality and there are 3 less joints, which means that is stiffer and will always be so.The lugs were obviuosly from a time when single piece frames were not a reality. Now that they are, they are how all the best framesets in carbon will be built. The carbon seatstays are a marketing tool as they look nice. Think about it from an enginneering standpoint, the more joints you have, the more twisting. Joints have been bad for years, just ask President Clinton.
I attended a talk with Ben Serotta a couple of months ago, and he mentioned that he would not build a Al/carbon bike due to galvanic corrosion at the joint. That’s probably what is happening to your frame.
This is not really a problem. Think of all the carbon forks with aluminum steering tubes! I haven’t heard of many failures.