BarneyRubble
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Just thought I would share a story about someone being friendly and helpful to a stranger for no reason. 
Having been through a significant saga to get to the point where I had a road bike that fits me, I was dismayed to realise that one of the alloy dropouts that forms the corner of the rear stay on the drive side had come un-bonded. I initially thought that the frame would be shot, but then I figured that they are bonded in there in the first place so a suitable glue would re-bond it.
I did some research on the internet about "the worlds strongest glue" and other such search terms, but had no joy. I knew that I needed an adhesive that would bond alloy to carbon and not harden to a brittle texture when dry, or the vibrations would cause it to fail. Thinking laterally I used my LinkedIn account to search for composites engineers whom I could ask about my problem. I came across a ouple of guys from the aerospace industry and also the head composites engineer at Maclaren F1. I messaged three people and didn't hear anything for a week or so and thought nothing more of it. after all it was a random question from a total stranger.
After 10 days I got a reply from the composites engineer at maclaren! He was super helpful and explained that the glue they use for fixing the wings to the body of the car would be most suitable and offered to post me some as it is now available to the public! A week or so later (he is obviously pretty busy at the moment!) and a package arrives with two sachets of the aerospace grade epoxy and full instructions on how to prepare the surfaces to ensure the best bond. He even apologised for the delay!
I am going to do the repair at the weekend and am looking forward to a fully working bike again.
So impressed at a man who is incredibly busy going out of his way to help a total stranger for no other reason other than to be kind. Restored my faith in Human Kind having been ripped off a couple of times in recent months! Big karma to Graham and Go Maclaren!
Having been through a significant saga to get to the point where I had a road bike that fits me, I was dismayed to realise that one of the alloy dropouts that forms the corner of the rear stay on the drive side had come un-bonded. I initially thought that the frame would be shot, but then I figured that they are bonded in there in the first place so a suitable glue would re-bond it.
I did some research on the internet about "the worlds strongest glue" and other such search terms, but had no joy. I knew that I needed an adhesive that would bond alloy to carbon and not harden to a brittle texture when dry, or the vibrations would cause it to fail. Thinking laterally I used my LinkedIn account to search for composites engineers whom I could ask about my problem. I came across a ouple of guys from the aerospace industry and also the head composites engineer at Maclaren F1. I messaged three people and didn't hear anything for a week or so and thought nothing more of it. after all it was a random question from a total stranger.
After 10 days I got a reply from the composites engineer at maclaren! He was super helpful and explained that the glue they use for fixing the wings to the body of the car would be most suitable and offered to post me some as it is now available to the public! A week or so later (he is obviously pretty busy at the moment!) and a package arrives with two sachets of the aerospace grade epoxy and full instructions on how to prepare the surfaces to ensure the best bond. He even apologised for the delay!
I am going to do the repair at the weekend and am looking forward to a fully working bike again.
So impressed at a man who is incredibly busy going out of his way to help a total stranger for no other reason other than to be kind. Restored my faith in Human Kind having been ripped off a couple of times in recent months! Big karma to Graham and Go Maclaren!
one of the guys I knew at school is head of aerodynamics there - Simon Lacey. Nice guy too.
and mclaren 
