Unfortunately, the MO of bike storage my family used (even for this carbon fiber bike, knowing what is was) was "leave it outside in a big, uncovered pile for years and years." This bike is sentimental, having belonged to a late grandparent, so:
Have the years of being in the sun and weather ruined the body of this bike?
FIL believes the paint and clear coat is just chipping – it can be recoated. I've seen some similar looking carbon fiber on this sub with the suggestion delamination is happening and deemed completely unsafe.
(If you can see the peek of the chain, we are definitely not in rideable condition! Not asking if it's rideable but more how likely is it it's unsalvagable unless a very steep investment is made.)
by find-again
5 Comments
I’m going to yeah, that bike is Fryer Tuked mate. Carbon fiber resin, especially the older kinds, don’t do well in direct sunlight. I would not consider that frame safe for use.
You could still get it refinished and keep it as a a memento and a beautiful piece of design. A new clear-coat wouldn’t be too big an investment.
(Assuming its no longer safe to ride). But of course if you want to know for sure, consult a professional.
Very hard to tell if the resin has become too hot and allowed the layers inside to de-bond, etc etc.
Its done
You can definitely restore it. You’re going to need to sand off the old clear coating, epoxy any exposed carbon fibers, and the clear coat it. Definitely on the path to becoming a sentimental show piece though. I’d be dumb enough to ride it, but only if I did the restoration work myself.
If this is really for sentimental value, I’d say a restoration is within the realm of feasibility.
Would I ride it after that? Not on an actual MTB trail, of any kind. Around the neighborhood, maybe if I didn’t see anything concerning underneath the flaking clear coat.
If you’re gonna go to the effort, though, do it right. Debuild completely, careful wet sanding, etc.