Cracked frame?

[TheBALDpuma]

I've just been out for a ride and washed my bike and noticed this on the weld on the top part of the back triangle.

Is it a crack? Or just a scratch?

[trails]

That does look like a crack, but could be a paint defect if it's a steel frame and corrosion is seeping through.

[Discendo Discimus]

Think I'd be getting a toothbrush and some cleaner in there just to make sure it's not dirt that's settled in the weld, if it's still there when thoroughly clean I'd be taking it somewhere to be checked.
Hopefully if it is cracked, it's just the paint and not the frame itself, that said - anything is fixable so it's not the end of the world.

What bike is it? Love the colour

[TheBALDpuma]

Discendo Discimus said:

Think I'd be getting a toothbrush and some cleaner in there just to make sure it's not dirt that's settled in the weld, if it's still there when thoroughly clean I'd be taking it somewhere to be checked.
Hopefully if it is cracked, it's just the paint and not the frame itself, that said - anything is fixable so it's not the end of the world.

What bike is it? Love the colour

It's an Orange P7s - I think it's called jagger green. Yeah it's a great colour!

The frame is still under warranty so if it is cracked I'm hoping I can take it down that route.

A tooth brush clean is a good call though, I'll get in there in a bit and have a look. It's as clean as I could get it with regular bike brushes.

[_Rodders_]

Pretty sure that's cracked. Quite unlikely you'd get a paint defect down to bare metal that looked like that.

IMHO of course.

[RustyNissanPrairie]

It s cracked.

The brake arch by design isn t attached to the seat tube, also where the seat stays curve round at the junction to the toptube means that there isn’t as much surface area as there would be if it was a slash cut straight tube attached at the same point. Hence all the seat stay forces are concentrated into a smaller surface area/less weld length

Whats your riding style? Landing whips sideways or just riding along?

Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Thursday 16th April 17:24

[Rough101]

I’d say it’s a crack, send them photos.

I’m still a fan of brazing 525, but the mass produced ones are all TIG like this.

[TheBALDpuma]

Well I've just given it a really good clean with a toothbrush and cotton buds. Just a bit of rust came off. Still looks the same.

Riding style? I'm 38 and ride like I'm 14 my expectations almost always exceed my actual ability.

[TheBALDpuma]

Rough101 said:

I d say it s a crack, send them photos.

I m still a fan of brazing 525, but the mass produced ones are all TIG like this.

I tried calling the supplying shop but no answer - so I've sent them an email with photos etc.

I'm racing in 4 weeks so I'm really hoping for a quick turnaround!!

[gazza285]

Try dribbling some penetrating oil down the inside of the seat tube, see if it gets wet.

[oddman]

TheBALDpuma said:

It's an Orange P7s - I think it's called jagger green. Yeah it's a great colour!

OT - Orange make quite a big deal of being based in Halifax and Jagger Green is a little village to the south of Hx. Suspect that is the quirky origin of the name of the colour rather than a Rolling Stones tribute

[CSR Performance]

Welding flaw from the factory? Thats a CroMo frame isn't it?

[TheBALDpuma]

CSR Performance said:

Welding flaw from the factory? Thats a CroMo frame isn't it?

Reynolds 525 Chromoly. Why is that important?

I'm 99.9% sure it's a new crack and hasn't always been there

[Freakuk]

TheBALDpuma said:

It's an Orange P7s - I think it's called jagger green. Yeah it's a great colour!

The frame is still under warranty so if it is cracked I'm hoping I can take it down that route.

A tooth brush clean is a good call though, I'll get in there in a bit and have a look. It's as clean as I could get it with regular bike brushes.

I was going to ask if it is an Orange. They've had a few frame cracks in recent years not sure if it's a quality issue, a design issue or a materials issue... but they are pretty good at sorting issues like this without much drama.

[TheBALDpuma]

Freakuk said:

I was going to ask if it is an Orange. They've had a few frame cracks in recent years not sure if it's a quality issue, a design issue or a materials issue... but they are pretty good at sorting issues like this without much drama.

Well they went into administration at the start of 2024 so I wonder if it's related.

The shop I bought it from haven't got back to me yet but it's only been a day. They're not answering their phone though which is annoying!

I've messaged orange directly and they are being helpful. I am a little concerned that they have no availability in any size of the 27.5 p7 frame, but are open for pre orders of the MX and 29er...

[Freakuk]

TheBALDpuma said:

Freakuk said:

I was going to ask if it is an Orange. They've had a few frame cracks in recent years not sure if it's a quality issue, a design issue or a materials issue... but they are pretty good at sorting issues like this without much drama.

Well they went into administration at the start of 2024 so I wonder if it's related.

The shop I bought it from haven't got back to me yet but it's only been a day. They're not answering their phone though which is annoying!

I've messaged orange directly and they are being helpful. I am a little concerned that they have no availability in any size of the 27.5 p7 frame, but are open for pre orders of the MX and 29er...

I used to know someone very high up at Orange for many years until he passed away, always got a hefty discount on bikes direct from Orange.

I believe the company was sold some years ago, so I'm not sure what happened and where they are in reality now. They're a tiny engineering shop who make all sorts including bikes. I'm guessing the brand was sold but the people, building etc remained as is producing other stuff.