Carbon and metal don’t play well together. Thousands of miles exposed to the elements, acidic sweat, sport drinks, and finish-line celebration drinks can corrode the metal on a frame. Before you start logging thousands of sun filled miles this summer be sure to give all metal parts on your frame a look over.
Where to look
- Cable stops on the top tube for the brake cable/housing
- Cable stops on the down tube for the shifter cable/housing
- Dropouts where the rear wheel sits
- Front Derailleur clamp
- Steer tube (if it’s not carbon)
What to look for
- Aluminum – paint flaking off followed up with a white dust. This is called Aluminum oxide and is a by product of the corrosion process.
- Steel – possible paint flaking off and the typical red “rust” color.
- If you find that you have some of this happening fill out our handy Repair Form with a photo attached and Graham will get right back to you.