I am putting together a new bike for a buddy, Litespeed Sirius, which is a combination of aluminium, carbon/titanium. While crimping the brake cable end, the cable cutter/crimper snapped:
And in the process, the sharp end of the now broken cutter hits the carbon seat stay and takes a chunk out:
You can see the chunk missing, just above the cable end. I am so pissed, I was trying to help this guy out and now his new frame been beaten up. I just bought the cutters a couple a days ago. I have already called Performance, since that is where I got the cutters, and left a message for the supervisor of tech support. Still waiting on a call back.
So, really, is the integrity of the seat stay screwed? Help me out here.
Oh My God, that SUCKS. Performance (or whoever makes the cutters) better do right by you. No way are they going to replace the frame, but I definitely believe they owe you something. I hate when you try to do something nice for someone then something goes to hell.
It appears to be cosmetic. I’d ride it for sure if there are no cracks around the blemish.
Dude, that sucks. For what it’s worth, I think that it’ll be ok. I’ve never seen a bike form a crack in that part of the seat stay. I’ve seen cracks near the chain stay/BB and seat stay/drop out as well as around the head tube. So I guess that what I’m saying is that it looks like the clear coat is chipped and there is probably a stress riser there now, but I’d bet it’ll be alright. I would keep tabs on that area tho, if you start seeing the clear coat turn cloudy, then you’re in trouble. Good luck .02
It is an easy fix. I have made many of the disappear with car touch-up clear coat. The little jar I have right now is made by “Dupli-color”. I think it came from Pep-Boys and cost $3.
Build up several layers of clear coat which dosn’t take long because it dries in 5 minutes. After it is at a level above the surounding stay take some 400 wet sandpaper and level it out. Then polish with a car polishing compound. The whole repair will take about 30 minutes start to finish.
I agree about asking litespeed. If the nick is deeper than the clearcoat, it could be filled with compatible epoxy (ask the company about this) and then painted black.
Just to clarify, it’s the seat stay not the fork that this happened to.
I already started an email with Litespeed asking there opinion and repair ideas.
I plan on being completely level with my buddy and I know he’s the kind of guy that will understand. I had already planned on sharing with him all the replies on this forum and emails from Performance and Litespeed. I have no intentions of trying to slip this past him, he’s too good of friend for that. I know that we will work it out, I am just looking for some insight on the damage.
I’ll have to wait and see what Litespeed and Performance have to say.
