Took delivery of a poorly packed, used carbon frame, what should I check?

[charliedid]

White is pretty easy to see any damage. Inspect hanger area and drops in good light.

Good chance it's just the hanger.

[slowpoke]

Thanks for chiming in everyone!

As far as I can tell, it's only the hanger that's bent and the seller is fine paying for a replacement.

Sorry this is my first carbon bike, so I'm new to everything. I've learned galvanic corrosion can happen between aluminum and carbon. That's not the case here at the headtube, is it? The carbon on the upper here looks a bit pitted and there's some bubbling.

Link with more photos: https://imgur.com/a/oMYja5X

The upper headtube doesn't bear that much weight, right?

[prototoast]

That doesn't look good. I'm not that familiar with these frames, but I think those headset cups are supposed to be bonded in, not press fit, and that looks like the bond is starting to fail.

This might not be catastrophic because everything is head together under compression, but it's not ideal.

[weisan]

Look 585?

[AngryScientist]

Unless that was disclosed prior to the sale and I knew what I was getting into, I would be pretty disappointed to receive a new-to-me frame like that

[glepore]

In fairness to the seller, that's a highly magnified photo. Yes, not ideal. But I wouldn't slag the seller for "not disclosing it".
I recently sold a frame that had issues that I disclosed, and others that I wasn't aware of. We worked it out but I honestly was not aware of some of the issues and had been happily riding the frame.

[weisan]

Originally Posted by glepore

in fairness to the seller, that's a highly magnified photo. Yes, not ideal. But i wouldn't slag the seller for "not disclosing it".
I recently sold a frame that had issues that i disclosed, and others that i wasn't aware of. We worked it out but i honestly was not aware of some of the issues and had been happily riding the frame.

+1

[Red Tornado]

Originally Posted by glepore

In fairness to the seller, that's a highly magnified photo. Yes, not ideal. But I wouldn't slag the seller for "not disclosing it".
I recently sold a frame that had issues that I disclosed, and others that I wasn't aware of. We worked it out but I honestly was not aware of some of the issues and had been happily riding the frame.

The photos in the imgur link were not magnified as much as the one in the comment, and that area still doesn't look good to me even at lower magnification. If nothing else, I would have a shop check that out, preferably one that sells/services that brand of frame - don't know if that's possible, though.
IMO, that area is noticeable enough to be disclosed by the seller.

[glepore]

Looking at those photos, it appears to me that there is a wrap of carbon around the insert. Given that, I'd sand that area-just the bubbles-as white is easy to touch up. If there isn't visible deterioration below the paint, I'd chalk it up to poor paint adhesion. The rest of the upper headtube looks fine.
I'd also closely examine the bb area, that's more likely to have a problem with the bonded in shell if there is a problem.

[hellvetica]

I got a carbon frameset once that wasn’t even wrapped … was fine and I rode it for quite some time without issues. I wouldn’t sweat it if you don’t see visible damage that wasn’t in the photos or description.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by glepore

I'd also closely examine the bb area, that's more likely to have a problem with the bonded in shell if there is a problem.

Thanks! BB area was my main concern for corrosion and the seller had sent photos prior to purchase and it was very clean.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by weisan

Look 585?

Sharp eye!

[Old Frog]

Carbon (Graphite) and aluminum are at opposite ends of the galvanic scale. Given the necessary conditions, there will be issues.

With carbon composites, the resin matrix usually evidences deterioration/damage/degradation before the carbon reinforcement (compare the properties). The bubbling and blistering in those photos would concern me; at least to investigate further.

Good luck with it.

[slowpoke]

Thanks! I'll be taking it to a shop for a second look.

[nmrt]

Wow, two Looks!

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Thanks! I'll be taking it to a shop for a second look.