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Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

Last post 05-31-2010 9:22 AM by Crank Bender. 81 replies.
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  • 08-29-2009 1:34 PM

    Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    I was polishing my beloved RS this evening and noticed a crack on the frame around the bottom bracket on the drive side. The crack follows the circumference of the bottom bracket cup for around 4cm and sits about 5mm out from the cup itself. It is above the bottom bracket. It looks exactly like the crack in the picture in this thread: http://forums.cervelo.com/forums/p/4221/28668.aspx#28668 (although mine is drive side). I recall reading a few other threads with similar problems, but don't remember the final outcome of any of the other cases (structural or cosmetic? replaced under warranty?).

    Of course, I noticed the crack half an hour after my dealer closed for the weekend, so I have to stew on it for a few days!

    Can anyone who has experienced the same problem tell me what the outcome was for them?

    Also, does anyone in the UK have experience of dealing with Primera (my dealer) or Madison (the UK Cervelo distributor) over warranty issues? If so, any tips for getting things sorted quickly?

    I've tried searching for similar threads, but without much success - 'RS' seems to be a particularly useless search term as it throws up all words with the letters 'rs' in.

  • 08-29-2009 2:29 PM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    ... and now the RS. I think it is about time for the management at Cervélo to reply in this matter. This is a rather common issue for Cervélo frames. not only RS but R3 and the R3 SL too and that is very, very bad.

  • 08-29-2009 3:07 PM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Skogling:
    ... and now the RS. I think it is about time for the management at Cervélo to reply in this matter. This is a rather common issue for Cervélo frames. not only RS but R3 and the R3 SL too and that is very, very bad.
     

    ....does not sound very reassuring when you are spending alot of your hard earned money on high end bike like Cervelo.

    Is this frame crack issue prone to the R series or does the S series have similar issues too?

    Hope you get a NEW frame from Cervelo! Thank god for that Lifetime Warranty!!! (but only applies to the original owner, so hope you are the original owner)

    Anodized Rock Racing
  • 08-30-2009 6:54 PM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Bumping this, as I really want to hear from anyone who has had the same problem.
  • 08-30-2009 9:19 PM In reply to

    • Lewy
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 04-22-2009
    • Posts 5

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    This is exactly the same problem my mate and i have just found on our bikes here in Australia! We bought them both (R3-SL's) at the same time his is dura-ace and mine is Sram Red. Same cracking problem, both frames are going back. I hope Cervelo look at this as they advertise that these frames have won Roubaix twice!! Were they ever ridden again after that though? Lifetime warranty helps, but going without a top end bike for a while is dissapointing especially when it's less than 6 months old! I'm looking at buying a S1 or S2 with Red group set, but now i'm waiting to see how the service and warranty issues are handled first.

    Lewy - Australia
  • 08-31-2009 12:13 AM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    "they advertise that these frames have won Roubaix twice!! Were they ever ridden again after that though?" I think that you hit the nail on the head. They only have to ride one race... and don't need to be ridden again. Maybe they should start having number of bike rules, like they have engine rules for F1.
  • 08-31-2009 5:52 AM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Lewy:
    Same cracking problem, both frames are going back. I hope Cervelo look at this as they advertise that these frames have won Roubaix twice!! Were they ever ridden again after that though? Lifetime warranty helps, but going without a top end bike for a while is dissapointing especially when it's less than 6 months old! I'm looking at buying a S1 or S2 with Red group set, but now i'm waiting to see how the service and warranty issues are handled first.

    Before I was going to ask if the R and S series Cervelos adopt use BB30, it's a fact that Cannondale, SRAM and FSA are the only manufacturers who currently adopt the Cannondale BB30 standard.

    The BB30 International Standard provides the specifications for an oversized bottom bracket shell for a bike frame. This standard allows for Direct-fit, pressed-in bearings and a 30 mm spindle.

    The system saves weight by accepting a 30mm aluminum spindle and eliminating cups that would normally hold the bearings.

    The oversized bottom bracket of the frame provides more area to attach larger down tube, seat tube and chain stays to better resist deflection from pedaling forces.

    So if your Cervelo is not equipped with SRAM or FSA BB, then it would seem logical to think that problems of cracks around Bottom Bracket area more prone to these cracks due to the lack of BB30. 

    Hence, might be worth checking your next Cervelo has the SRAM or FSA BB to help "minimize" or even prevent these reported crack issues unless Cervelo is already working on making the BB area more stiffer perhaps or even bring out their own proprietary "BB30" version or go down the route of adopting the well established Canondale's BB30 standard.



    Anodized Rock Racing
  • 08-31-2009 7:31 AM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    I think The Rock may be getting confused about BB30. The frame has to be made for BB30 to use BB30 bearings and so be able to use BB30 compatible cranks from SRAM and FSA. You can't just add BB30 bearings to a frame made for a normal BB (like all current Cervelos).

    For what it's worth, I don't think not using BB30 is a significant factor in the crack problem that I and others have had. Most bikes don't use BB30 and most bikes don't crack around the BB.

  • 08-31-2009 3:20 PM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    I just posted this morning about my SLC as I discovered a similar crack in the paint yesterday.  The crack on mine seems to be smaller, but I'm not sure exactly when it started.  I didn't notice anything the last time I gave the bike a good cleaning a couple months ago.  The local shop manager is looking at it today and said they'll send pictures to Cervelo if necessary.  Now it's just the waiting game.

  • 08-31-2009 4:56 PM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

     And... if you were to somehow get a BB30 bottom bracket into a RS frame, you would have LOTs of cracks.

  • 09-02-2009 2:01 PM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Update:

    So far, so good. Cervelo customer service in Canada responded quickly by email asking me to take the frame to my nearest dealer to get it checked out. The UK distributor, Madison, was also very helpful on the phone and explained the process that would be followed (take 'stripped' frame to dealer, dealer instigates warranty process, Madison send a courier to collect bike, Madison inspect bike and liase with Cervelo, sending photos as appropriate and approve or reject warranty claim).

    I took the frame to Strada Cycles in Bristol ( http://www.stradacycles.co.uk/ ) this morning (I live in Cardiff). They could not have been more helpful, particularly in view of the fact that I did not buy the frame from them. They also have a fantasic collection of bikes on display, especially considering it's not a very big shop. Lots of Pinarello, Eddy Merckx, Massi, Colnago and others, as well as Cervelo (including the stunning blue S2 pictured in this thread: http://forums.cervelo.com/forums/t/4779.aspx?PageIndex=2 ). Well worth a visit if you live near or ever visit Bristol.

    I just need to wait for Madison's verdict now.

  • 10-22-2009 4:03 AM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Hi all, I've been using my 2009 R3 which I just got right at about the end of March 2009. I've barely had 500 kms on it and have noticed a SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK around the non-drive side of the bottom bracket as well. Ordered the bike online through Competitive Cyclist.com and sent them the photos about 2 days ago but unfortunately have not gotten a reply on the inquiry yet. Here are the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43835965@N04/ I'm also concerned--first about the safety of the bike; secondly about the warranty issue and whether someone from either Competitive Cyclist or Cervelo will help me out change the bike asap. This is a major major concern. I weigh in at 170 lbs. and can't imagine breaking the bottom bracket of the 2-time winner of the Paris-Roubaix and a top end bike like the R3, a bike everyone I know is raving about. Anyone got any advice, I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks
  • 10-22-2009 5:52 AM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

     http://www.flickr.com/photos/43835965@N04

    You are fortunate that your frame is white.  That would be very difficult to see on a black frame.

    09 Cervelo P3
    09 Pinarello Prince
    10 Stevens Carbon Team
  • 10-22-2009 6:29 AM In reply to

    • thom_y
    • Top 25 Contributor
    • Joined on 08-13-2007
    • Halifax, NS Canada
    • Posts 436

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Sir Velista:
    noticed a SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK around the non-drive side of the bottom bracket
     

     

    You mean this ?  Paint crack ?

  • 10-22-2009 6:42 AM In reply to

    Re: Crack around Bottom Bracket - 08 RS

    Marco Hero:
    Update: I just need to wait for Madison's verdict now.
     

    Marco, it's nearly 2months now so did Madison get it all sorted out for you and Cervelo gave you a brandnew frame or are you still waiting without a bike? 

    How common for Cervelo carbon frames to have a manufacturing defect so early on such as this and many others posted on this forum? i.e. are we talking about 1 in 1000, 1 in 100 or 1 in 10?  Doesn8t inspire much confidence either way, but I suppose Cervelo's lifetime warranty offers some peace of mind.

    Anodized Rock Racing
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