Is this a scratch, or am I frame shopping?

[AKmoney]

Frame is a DeRosa Planet (aluminum).

[GP_pilot]

Definitely looks like a scratch, down through the paint & primer to the metal. If it was a crack, you'd see a dark hairline. Since there's other scratches around the same area, that also supports the scratch idea.

[foofighter]

+1

but if you would like us to tell you the other we will just so you can get a new frame :0

[mntbiker12]

I vote scratch.

[Chewyeti]

looks like a scratch.

tap on it to see if it sounds different than the frame sounds in other areas too.

[amor587]

scratch

[Rockinthecasbah]

its a scratch hit it with rubbing compound and watch the white dissappear
frames dont usally break in the middle of a weld

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

frames dont usally break in the middle of a weld

Well, both times my Yeti frame cracked it was in the middle of a weld. But, I agree it's probably a scratch.

Here's what GP Pilot was talking about. Notice the crack looks black, where if it was a scratch, it wouldn't as dark--

[Chewyeti]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Well, both times my Yeti frame cracked it was in the middle of a weld. But, I agree it's probably a scratch.

Here's what GP Pilot was talking about. Notice the crack looks black, where if it was a scratch, it wouldn't as dark--

thats wierd!
Usually the weld is stronger than the adjacent metal in my experience. I always broke something off on the tube AT the edge of the bead.

ive heard of NASCAR roll cages breaking right next to the weld, but the weld is intact....

[Rockinthecasbah]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Well, both times my Yeti frame cracked it was in the middle of a weld. But, I agree it's probably a scratch.

Here's what GP Pilot was talking about. Notice the crack looks black, where if it was a scratch, it wouldn't as dark--

\
wow makes me think about yetis quality , the weld is stronger then the tubing around it on most occasions so usally the tubing fails on the outside of the weld

[tacos&beer]

yeah - sometimes you have to look real close......I heard this crack on my SS months before it materialized through the powdercoat.

[Chewyeti]

OH... and the welds on the OP's bike look to be pretty well puddy'd up, or defintely filled over for that smoove look. no idea what the actual weld looks like


or someone spent a long time grinding them smooth.

[Busterjohn]

Nope...sorry guys...I have to disagree. The first picture is definitely a crack at the root of the weld. If you look where the crack stops at the bottom, you can see where the powder coating has chipped out because of the flexing.

[Jman]

Best bet is to take it to the LBS and ask them. If you're near the Path they seem to be a pretty honest group and would probably tell you straight up what it is. It's probably going to be harder to see on pic than in person...unless its super obvious like Pacmans.

[AKmoney]

Originally Posted by Jman

Best bet is to take it to the LBS and ask them. If you're near the Path they seem to be a pretty honest group and would probably tell you straight up what it is. It's probably going to be harder to see on pic than in person...unless its super obvious like Pacmans.

I may wind up doing this. I haven't been very good on bikes this year. I also cracked the frame on my old Tomac (see below). At least on this frame, the crack is clearly obvious...no question.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by AKmoney

I may wind up doing this. I haven't been very good on bikes this year. I also cracked the frame on my old Tomac (see below). At least on this frame, the crack is clearly obvious...no question.

I don't know. That might be a scratch.



Ya, that one is pretty obvious.

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

wow makes me think about yetis quality

It must've just been a fluke thing. When I posted it up on the Yeti board over on MTBR, nobody had ever seen it before.

When I called Yeti, they said they have only seen a few of those. And, they warrantied it no question and were super cool. It was an '05 frame and had seen a hard 2 years of riding up to that point. I'll still stick with them.

[Abui]

Take out the headset and spray WD40 on the "scratch" if liquid penetrates then ...

[un-kola]

+1 on what Abui said.You can also put a drop of oil (Tri-Flow,Prolink,etc.)on it and see if it penetrates.- Lloyd

[bighit8]

I have to agree with busterjhon.The first pic looks like there are cracks on each side of the weld.

[bjammin]

The first pic is a crack!
Go buy a new bike...