Titanium frame crack

[Spudalumps]

Hi all!

*Im going to post these links in the offical GT XIZANG thread too as I think this would be well catalouged debate*

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40095&p=3002886&hilit=xizang#p3002886

Got around to fitting the brake cables today, I haven’t got any brakes yet, and the m900 cantis are still in the post from USA at the moment...



On close inspection the cable wouldn’t sit parallel to the top tube, on close inspection I found the welding is so tight that the line the cable would follow isn’t quite smooth rather it’s pushed down ever so slightly.



After some more inspection it looks like there’s a crack from where previous owners have run brake cables and perhaps the power from the brake has caused pressure on the weld and cracked it!



I’m having a really helpful specialist called Jim have a look at it although would greatly appreciate your opinions too as the bike is older than me!


Was this a common issue where excess metal caused issues with cable routing?


Does this look repairable or even safe to ride?


Does anyone recognise this crack as the seller said it came from Germany before him... he is denying any knowledge of the crack being there before sending to me... conveniently all the images sent from him show this specific patch is out of shot.

 

[foz]

Definitely looks like a crack. No idea if it's repairable. Definitely not caused by braking though, there is no way even the hardest braking could cause that to crack

 

[hamster]

Looks like a fatigue crack from weld contamination. I'm gutted for you, it's such a lovely frame.

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

If you have not ridden it, and have not abused it in the workshop, then the crack was there before. In transit? Doubtful. It has all the hallmarks of a fatigue crack in a stressed part of the tube, from the original physical shape of that specific weld - ie a stress riser and a propagated crack. Again, if you have not ridden it, then the seller needs to take responsibility. But with it coming from Germany, it’s probably ‘buyer beware’. But what did the original advert say ... that does matter. It may be that the owner was unaware (but it’s a bloody big crack) but even so if I was in that position I would take an item straight back and give a refund. It does nobody any good to have an untrustworthy market develop...

 

[Spudalumps]

Hi guys thanks a tonne for your comments! At least I know this would of been something from over time, my dads an engineer and going to have a look at it tonight, we’re going to run some inert gas’s through the frame at 20ish PSI and plop some washing up liquid on the frame to double check it’s a crack!

The seller was very sketchy and I doubt they will take it back, I’m in Wales, had shipped from California, although the seller says it was bought from another owner in Germany! I’m totally never contacting sellers from Pinkbike again, seems every time I do I end up getting ripped off

Fingers crossed it’s just a deep scratch (doubtful) or I can get a reweld! I’ll keep yal posted although would love to keep hearing your opinions

 

[CTK]

That's a crack. Enigma are the best for repairs in the UK. Seller is a bell-end.

 

[danson67]

Yes, that's a crack.
Weldable by a reputable company with bike experience, such as Enigma.
It will need a very good clean and back purge.

More likely a fatigue crack starting from a cooling crack at the apex of that seatstay infill.

All the best,

 

[mtbdave]

Agreed with Danson easily repairable, crater crack caused by the slope out on the welding set being set too short.

 

[eshew]

Have it repaired. Had a similar thing happen on a BB weld on my Bianchi. Had Ti Cycles in the oregon fix it for me. Has been fine for the 4 years or so since the repair.

 

[mdvineng]

Typical residual stress crack from the apex as Danson states, can be repaired though.