Carbon or finish crack on my Super six ??

[cxboy]

I picked up a used 2009 cannondale super six frame. I noticed a finish or carbon crack at the base of the seat / top tube.
I know its impossible to tell from the picture, but if anyone has an opinion or is there any way to tell if its a finish or carbon crank without removing the finish ??

Thx...

[Bruce K]

What picture

I know Cannondsle has really good warranties - I just din 't know if they are only to the original owner

BK

[Ardan MacNessa]

Take your bicycle to an authorised Cannondale dealer and have the mechanic look at the frame. These attached pics were all okay by Cannondale headquarters after careful examination. This is a 2008 Super Six after 20,000 miles of riding [pics spring 2010]

[cxboy]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

What picture

I know Cannondsle has really good warranties - I just din 't know if they are only to the original owner

BK

Picture uploaded...

[Ardan MacNessa]

Here are some other imperfections but completely okay with Cannondale.

[Bruce K]

Thst's a tough one

There shouldn't be any real flex there to cause "cosmetic" cracking

+1 in taking it to a dealer so Cannondale can get a look

BK

[akelman]

That looks completely cosmetic to me (on my monitor, from a million miles away, through my untrained eyes), but having seen a friend's SuperSix crack, I agree with everyone else that you should have it looked at by an expert.

[cxboy]

Whats the general consensus of the quality of the Super six frames ??

[Ardan MacNessa]

Originally Posted by akelman

...I agree with everyone else that you should have it looked at by an expert.

Each bicycle shop that sells Cannondale has a Rep for Cannondale. Usually if the bicycle shop has a good relationship with a distributor [i.e. in this case Cannondale] they'll examine your problems free of charge.

Side note, Cannondale does not guarantee frames that have been sold privately to a second owner. Usually they only warranty originally purchased merchandise by the original owner. On that note, at least you're given reassurances if the frame is safe after their evaluation. Takes about a week usually. I put on another 25,000 miles on that frame pictured above without issues. Still riding it.

[akelman]

Originally Posted by cxboy

Whats the general consensus of the quality of the Super six frames ??

I'm not sure you'll find a consensus about much of anything around here, but I can tell you that my friend's SuperSix (mentioned above) and the one that replaced it were both amazing bikes. I rode them both a few times, and they were very comfortable rockets. I can add that the friend in question was a former pro, someone who's ridden hundreds if not thousands of bikes through the years, and the SuperSix was his favorite by far. YMMV, of course.

[Ardan MacNessa]

Originally Posted by cxboy

Whats the general consensus of the quality of the Super six frames ??

By 2009 the cosmetic problems should have been worked out. I certainly enjoy my cosmetically flawed Super Six 2008. It's rough, like myself, and a fair day for those who look too close.

They are a pretty hefty frame overall, and build is right there. Cosmetics? Well they [Cannondale] have come up a little short in 2008-2009 with finish... but bond and strength have been good.

[ultraman6970]

You have to sand the paint off, is the only way to know what is going on under the paint.

Good luck.

[Nick209]

Take a quarter and tap the frame. If its a loud click your solid. If it's a dull thud you've got a crack.

[alancw3]

one more reason why i would not buy a used cf frame without personally inspecting it prior to purchasing. yes c/dale warranty only good to the original owner. i learned first hand with my six13.

[soulspinner]

Originally Posted by Nick209

Take a quarter and tap the frame. If its a loud click your solid. If it's a dull thud you've got a crack.

wow that's not something Im betting my skull on......................