Frame crack or just a paint crack?

[MartinAir]

Hello,
this is the bottom bracket shell of my Rocky Mountain Vertex Team SC frame (2002 model).
Is this line the start of crack or just the paint cracking?
It emanates from the welds.

[TXTony]

Looks like a scratch to me...hard to say...

[bikeabuser]

I'm going with frame crack ... The weakest location in a welded frame is right next to the weld.

Besides, the paint is more flexible than the frame ... To develop a crack ONLY in the paint, at that location, would be kind of freakish.

[JoeDougieDouglas]

Looks the same as when my old Diamondback bike frame cracked. Get it checked at the LBS?

[dbhammercycle]

Go get it checked out at your LBS. I'm sure they won't charge you to look at it. It's tough to tell from the pic. I had something similar in the same location on an old Cannondale but the LBS told me it was just a scratch in the clearcoat. In your case there is some white showing, could be just the primer under the paint. Tough to tell from the pic, can you actually feel it or does it catch your fingernail? Good luck!

[MartinAir]

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions. I'll get it checked and I'll keep you informed.
Yes, I can feel it.

[Oh My Sack!]

I'd go with crack. It's in the Heat Affected Zone of the weld which is where welds tend to fail.

[Brewtality]

Cracked. Its junk

[andywuc]

The weakest location in a welded frame is right next to the weld.

[bc3xx0]

The weakest location in a welded frame is right next to the weld.

Definitely toe cracking in the HAZ...

I think rocky mountain only covers their alum frames for 5 years, so you might as well take it to the scrap yard, or fill the crack with nail polish and sell it on craigslist!!

[Picard]

this is definitely a crack

[shawnt2012]

Poor guy... I can't share your pain brother but I know I would be really bummed out if I had to scrap my bike.. See what your LBS can do for you, maybe they have a heart and will do some sort of payment plan on a new bike.

[burtronix]

I'm going with frame crack ... The weakest location in a welded frame is right next to the weld.

Besides, the paint is more flexible than the frame ... To develop a crack ONLY in the paint, at that location, would be kind of freakish.

Agreed. This is a fatigue failure in the heat-affected zone adjacent to the weld. On the right side of the image the crack has migrated away from the weld into the tube, probably following a stress vector. If it were a crack in the finish only, the cracks would be more random directionally & might even look like an alligator skin pattern.

[LaLD]

Whatever you do, don't try to fix it with J-B Weld.

[dumper]

put a dab of nail polish or paint over the crack...I mean, scratch in question. Go for a quick ride and then see if the "crack" reappears. This would indicate a crack. Sorry, been there, done that.

[MartinAir]

Well, the frame is cracked and I am not going fix it. The bike served me well though. Now I am looking for a solid replacement, see my new thread:

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/rm...-a-863630.html

[006_007]

Well, the frame is cracked and I am not going fix it. The bike served me well though. Now I am looking for a solid replacement, see my new thread:

http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/rm...-a-863630.html

Did you contact Rocky about a possible crash replacement? Many manufacturers will offer you a new frame at a discounted price......couldnt hurt.

[MartinAir]

Did you contact Rocky about a possible crash replacement? Many manufacturers will offer you a new frame at a discounted price......couldnt hurt.

Thanks,that's a good idea. BTW, I bought this bike about 10 years ago via mtbr.com

[006_007]

Thanks,that's a good idea. BTW, I bought this bike about 10 years ago via mtbr.com

Dont tell them that. Dont expect anything free, but you may get a price break on a new frame.

[b-kul]

Whatever you do, don't try to fix it with J-B Weld.

i heard with the addittion of hose clamps and some metal bracing it will be just fine. ;p