I broke my Ruby's seat stay! (repair advice please)

[Tokie]

Latest update - local dealer made a few more calls, and this is the deal. There are Ruby frames available in my size (48) and model (Comp/Pro frame) and there is a crash replacement deal - 15% discount, or about $1000 for the frame. the catch? (besides it not being a very great discount) Specialized will only cut you this deal if you surrender your damaged frame. - so the dream of fixing the broken one to rebuild as a TT bike concept is no longer sounding viable. Darn. Calfee is sounding better. This was the second crash on my Ruby - the first last year (same scenario, person in front of me went down fast and I cashed into /onto them) In the first crash, my carbon bars and rear derraileur hanger needed replacement, with just tiny cosmetic damage to the frame. But is it bad to ride a carbon bike that has been crashed twice?( BTW, I replaced my bars with the Dolce aluminum bars with the "Zertz" inserts, and I like them just as much as the carbon ones.) Well, back to the phones to see what I can find out! Tokie

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What a frustrating thing to have to go through!

[Blueberry]

That just sucks I think I wouldn't use their crash replacement policy. I do see why they want the frame back (liability), but the certainly could offer a better deal - that's still more than wholesale, I'd guess.

CA

[aicabsolut]

Well, I would never try to sell a repaired carbon frame, just because I wouldn't want to make anyone take that risk. Any bike shop or manufacturer will advise you against repairing carbon, but at the same time, I've seen Calfee repairs and have heard plenty of good reviews from others about them. Some say that the place where Calfee does the patch will be stronger than the original (but who can tell, really). So it is up to you what you want to do.

Did you have it thoroughly inspected by your mechanic for stress fractures elsewhere? Have you been over it with a quarter (the tap test) and a flashlight?

I don't know if I'll do any mass start races on my Roubaix frame when I get it fixed. It may not be worth it as a TT bike either, because I'd probably want a lighter, aero frame. So I think it could just be a spare. I'm leaning towards putting better climbing gears on it. Even though it's heavier and not as stiff, it'd still be good to practice on for some climbing.

That's weird about the sending in the frame. I know they do that for warranty, but I didn't think they cared about crash replacement. When I asked about mine, they recommended against repair, but I thought I could do that and get a replacement. The problem wound up being I could do neither w/in a month, and I needed a bike in 2 weeks tops, so I just said F* it and bought an S-works frame for a good deal from the local Concept Store.

[Tokie]

As others have said, Specialized is probably just covering their A**** by getting a broken frame off the road. My bike is with an experienced mechanic getting stripped. He said one repair option would be to heat the frame and remove and replace the entire rear triangle. Now that sounds pretty pricey. Calfee does have a good reputation, but this is my everything bike - I tour on it, do crits, road races and TT's on it. I'm leaning more towards the replacement option tonight. Looking at the bright side - if it's something I can fix with money, I've been very lucky. I'll let you all know what the final decision is! Thanks everyone for your 2 cents and personal experiences, and taking the time to help me out! You guys are the best! Tokie

[Aggie_Ama]

I also wonder if it isn't a r&D thing? I would think it would help a company to see how the bike broke under a crash but most likely it is liability.

[Tokie]

I bet they do learn alot from looking at how their frames do break under real life conditions...Once I started asking around here at home, it's surprising how many people have cracked up a frame or two. (Or maybe not so surprising!) The thousands of comfortable miles I rode on my Ruby make it an easy decision to stay with carbon though - so comfortable! tokie

[aicabsolut]

Looking at the bright side - if it's something I can fix with money, I've been very lucky. Tokie

So true.

Let us know what you decide to do. And post pictures! (of the new ride or the repair)

[Tokie]

I will! I hope to get answers from 2 bike stores tomorrow about what they can do for me, then get things in motion. Thanks again for bringing up the crash replacement option! tokie