I'm gutted.. will need a new frame. any ideas?

[bacchus180]

I have had this bike since 2003, Changed a few things now and then but fundamentally the same bike, A condor 2003 Barrachi carbon bike, an alloy lugged Carbon frame, I love the geometry and I have ridden it many miles,

Last year I changed the groupset and when that happened the chap who fitted it pointed out a small crack behind the seat post where the downtube meets the rear frame, He said he wasn't concerned and that it was most likely in the paint, It went back to Condor who stress tested it and they were confident it was ok.

I have just cleaned it and noticed a much bigger fresh crack where the cross tube meets the seat post/downtube. Now this is a worry. This year I have been going at it and have covered a fair few miles, descended at over 80kph, as a result seeing this new crack I no longer have the confidence in this frame, I am absolutely gutted and after 10 years of use I will now retire the bike, probably strip down to the frame and hang it on the wall..

I need a replacement and have no idea what to get.. I loved this bike, the weight, feel, comfort, everything, it was like an extension to my body, never felt more comfortable on any other, I will take off the group set and wheels and be looking for a new frame set.

I have a cannondale CAAD10 but it no way compares to this.. Its sooo slow, I can't help thinking maybe if I lightened everything on it, and swapped across all the bits from here it might liven it up?.. anyone have any ideas on that?

Failing that I new frame altogether. I don't like the look of the new condor's as they have changed the geometry to a much more aggressive stance and have that very wide top tube, I'm not sure of any other makers. I want a frame that is light and agile, most likely carbon again but willing to listen to any suggestions..

[Gizmoish]

A CAAD10 - a bike that can be built up light enough the UCI would ban it - is 'slow'?

Sounds like you need Condor or someone to make you a custom frame...

[bacchus180]

the CAAD10 is an option, I bought a basic one, 105 with some Mavic wheels, If I could figure out a way of swapping my Chorus11 across onto a BB30 I would swap everything over, new stem, bars, seat posts etc.. then maybe it would be fast, but right now its pretty slow.

[WinstonWolf]

Planet X

[andy753]

Sorry to be a whistle blower but I would replace your frame ASAP. A friend of ours had a down tube failure last week on a downhill blast doing 30mph. He's still in hospital...

Carbon can be light and it can provide a softer ride but when it goes wrong it really goes wrong...

Mark my words, we'll all be riding Reynolds 531 again before too long!

[willthisnamework]

why not get it repaired?

[anonymous-user]

Although you don't mention a budget, I'd look at the cervelo r3, a nice balance of speed and comfort

[TSCfree]

Strange that, maybe it's possible you can't properly put the power down on the Cannondale as it's quite an aggressive setup compared to the Condor. I'm sure the 'dale is lighter too The RS1O is a heavy wheel though.

[bacchus180]

firstly the Condor is now retired.. I won't be riding it again. I don't consider it safe anymore.

Yes the CAAD10 should be fast, we just ha this conversation at the bike shop. I originally changed the wheels from the RS10's to Mavik Ksyrium Elite S's when I bought it and still find it off pace.

Its interesting that you mention not being able to get the power down?.. To compare I only have to look at Strava, side by side I'm 10% slower on the CAAD10. at the moment I'm doing about 200km a week. I'm not saying it isn't me, it could well be.. what should I try and do differently?

I have arranged for the Condor to be stripped down and there are adaptors to put the Chainset on the BB30. So I will be running the Chorus11 on it, I will swap the wheels for the Eurus G3's and then change stem, handlebars, seat and post and see what happens.

The Condor frame will hang on the wall, I love the frame it was made for me and is totally custom, even the colour is unique.

From the other Thread:

bacchus180 said:

Condor Baracchi Carbon, Custom made for me in 2003 and painted in Azzurro, Keeping it simple, Campag Eurus G3 wheels, Recently added Chorus 11 Group with Compact and 29 on the back..

I love this bike..

If the CAAD10 sharpens up I will stick with it. If I find its still slow it will be fitted with 25mm all seasons and be a winter bike, I will be in the market for something new. Not sure on budget.. I will have to do careful research first.

[Celtic Dragon]

I use carbon arrows so am aware of the dangers of using damaged carbon.. Botton line, get it repaired, or replaced.

This is demo of what happens if you get in the way of breaking carbon


I know someone who had this happen to them, he reports it hurts more coming out than going in. He had 400 shards removed from his hand.

Edited by Celtic Dragon on Sunday 14th July 09:12

[craigthecoupe]

can nobody read? he isn't riding the bike again! is the op writing in some kind of code only i can decipher?

[RealSquirrels]

i know nothing about bikes but surely the reason your cannondale is slower is about your posture on the bike, you must be presenting a bigger frontal area and thus creating more drag.

[willthisnamework]

craigthecoupe said:

can nobody read? he isn't riding the bike again! is the op writing in some kind of code only i can decipher?

I just put it out there. After how he said he enjoyed that frame. You do know carbon isn't knackered after a crack appears it can be repaired and often the repair is stronger than the original but slightly heavier. (but only a little bit)

If I was you first I would get the paint stripped off. Then get the whole frame NDT tested to find how bad, large the crack is and to see if there are any more unseen from the human eye. I would then use a composites company in sheffield he's that good he doesn't advertise lots of teams in motorsport use him to repair the crack. Again NGT to make sure that the repair is successful. Then get the frame painted by Normandales in Daventry. They are the "Tits" I believe Williams F1 use them.

[Disco You]

It sounds like it's time for you to do some web searching to find a frame with the me/ similar geometry as your old frame. It'll be tedious, but should be doable.

[bacchus180]

RealSquirrels said:

i know nothing about bikes but surely the reason your cannondale is slower is about your posture on the bike, you must be presenting a bigger frontal area and thus creating more drag.

Are you saying I'm fat?

Actually I think the position is almost identical, however when I next ride it, ( Its currently in France.. get there in two weeks) I will pay particular attention to posture,

I'm not thinking of having it repaired although reading willthisnamework's comments did make me think, I think the strategy is simply to make the CAAD10 perform and get by with it, Bit like a hot hatch.

Meanwhile do some research for a bespoke frame manufacturer who can build me a bike to see me out with and create it with a dream spec.

[Celtic Dragon]

You could get it repaired if you wanted. A guy at my archery club is a shipwright by trade and works with CF and other composites. He has built and repaired carbon bows before, and I have seen fishing rods etc repaired and be fully seviceable.

For a frame you obviously love, would a repair be out of the question? If your near Bedfordshire, I could ask him if he could repair it.