Repaired carbon frame devaluation

[Hat]

How much should a carbon frame be devalued if it’s had a repair done to it?

There’s two frames in question, one had a top tube repair done and the other had the driveside chainstay. Both were done professionally by a shop that specializes in carbon bike repair and neither fix is all that visible to the eye unless you look carefully. Paint is not a factor since the frames both had the carbon weave visible where the repairs were done.

I’m thinking both these frames are now worth about 60% of what they would be otherwise (ie worth $300 if the same undamaged frame is worth $500).

Does this sound reasonable?

[kramnnim]

Yes.

[Dino Suegiù]

Originally Posted by Hat

How much should a carbon frame be devalued if it’s had a repair done to it?

There’s two frames in question, one had a top tube repair done and the other had the driveside chainstay. Both were done professionally by a shop that specializes in carbon bike repair and neither fix is all that visible to the eye unless you look carefully. Paint is not a factor since the frames both had the carbon weave visible where the repairs were done.

I’m thinking both these frames are now worth about 60% of what they would be otherwise (ie worth $300 if the same undamaged frame is worth $500).

Does this sound reasonable?

I think that "60% of undamaged worth" sounds optimistic for a repaired carbon frame, depending on extent/location of the original damage of course. I would think 50% minimum, more likely 40%, for top tube/chainstays/etc. Those aren't trivial areas.

However: unless I really wanted a specific damaged frame and the seller provided repair receipts from a reputable repair house, as well as complete description/documentation of both the prior damage and the subsequent repaired condition, my own interest and investment would probably go immediately to 0%.

There are plenty of undamaged/un-repaired carbon frames available for purchase. Of course, one has to trust that sellers are honoring full disclosure in all cases, and we know that some do not.

[FlashUNC]

Unless there's full documentation, zero in my mind. Plenty of unrepaired carbon frames out there.

[zmalwo]

a simple handlebar slammed onto the top tube repair is nothing major but a repaired DT cracked from a crash is a much different story. The problem is that there's no way to tell if it is former or later. I would not trust any carbon frame that's been involved in a crash no matter what ultrasound scan, X-ray scan shows.

[fignon's barber]

Actually, carbon frames are quite repairable, and a good carbon shop can make a frame just a safe, perhaps even more so, than the original. As for depreciation, hard to say. Carbon frames depreciate so quickly as it is (ie, a two year old $3k carbon frame may fetch $800?), that a well repaired frame may only lose 10 or 20% more. I think carbon loses value so quickly because the shapes and look change so quickly in order to keep up with the "3% more compliant,4% stiffer, 2.32% lighter" motif. For example, ever look at a five year old Tarmac or such? They look ancient. A 5 year old Pegoretti? Classique.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by fignon's barber

Actually, carbon frames are quite repairable, and a good carbon shop can make a frame just a safe, perhaps even more so, than the original. As for depreciation, hard to say. Carbon frames depreciate so quickly as it is (ie, a two year old $3k carbon frame may fetch $800?), that a well repaired frame may only lose 10 or 20% more. I think carbon loses value so quickly because the shapes and look change so quickly in order to keep up with the "3% more compliant,4% stiffer, 2.32% lighter" motif. For example, ever look at a five year old Tarmac or such? They look ancient. A 5 year old Pegoretti? Classique.

This is correct, WRT depreciation.

The prices he's mentioning are realistic for used frames.

Provide documentation and pictures, if available, to a buyer. I have a Look 585 with a repaired left chainstay and it's been fine. I am fine with it because even if it fails it's not likely to be catastrophic in nature and the story I got when I bought the frame was believable and I got it for quite cheap with full disclosure of the history.

[buddybikes]

I would think full disclosure/reputation of who fixed it would help.

[rockdude]

I don't know about the % of prices drop but carbon repair is not a big deal. I have been repairing frames for years. Not much harder than paper mache. Never had a problem with my hillbilly repairs, even on CX race bikes that get seriously abused. Hell, I have even made parts without issues. I have purchased some great bikes with minor repairs for a great price. Got a Cervelo S5 that was professionally repaired for $300 a couple of years ago.

[charliedid]

They are worth nothing to me.

[mulp]

Ive ridden a repaired carbon frame and would not have concerns riding a frame that has been repaired. However, I would limit the repairs to top tube and down tube repairs as they are the easiest.

[mtechnica]

I got my Bianchi for dirt cheap because it was repaired on the seat tube near the derailleur clamp, its not even noticeable

[veggieburger]

I'm in the zero camp, unless the repair came with a transferable warranty to the new owner.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by charliedid

They are worth nothing to me.

I'm glad that's clear. I was wondering where exactly you stood on this issue. Now I know!

[weiwentg]

I've never shopped for a used carbon frame. However, if I were inclined to do so, I think that having a repair might not be a big deal if I can verify that it was done by a reputable shop. It's been said already: a) you can repair carbon to equal or greater than original strength, and b) carbon depreciates very fast (most metal bikes already depreciate pretty fast). I wouldn't pay 100% of what the bike would otherwise be worth, but maybe 60-90%.