Inspection or repair of carbon frame

[zasker]

Cycling home from work a couple of months ago and was hit by a car. The back wheel of the bike took the brunt of the impact and is trashed, however the bike was launched into the air and travelled about 5/6 meters before hitting the ground. I've visually inspected the frame and there doesn't appear to be any damage, not even any scratches. I think on landing the saddle and the handbars took the impact. However as the frame is a Trek 9.8 carbon frame I am concerned there may be internal damage. Is there anyway I can get the frame inspected i.e x-ray or something?

[Muzzlehatch]

Definitely get it x-rayed, as there could be structural hairline cracks under the paintwork. Also, see if Trek will do a discounted crash replacement.

[timnoyce]

I have a fair amount of experience in carbon, not necessarily with bikes though so take this or leave it.

Generally if there is damage to the carbon you will be able to see it, if the joints have failed the paint will have cracked as well. Have a proper look over the frame and inspect the joints. Try sitting on the bike and have someone else look at the joints when there is load on it. Also get a small spanner and go over the frame tapping it. The noise it makes should be pretty even all over, if there is internal damage then the noise will change noticeably. I would personally think that x-raying a bike is pretty OTT?! or is this standard practise?

[zasker]

Thanks for the input. Not to bothered about the crash replacement from Trek as the other parties insurance is paying out so have sorted out a good deal on a 2010 9.8 from my LBS. However as there appears to be little or no damage to my existing bike I am loathed to scrap it. I have inspected the frame pretty closely and the only evidence that there may be some damage that is not visible to the naked eye are 2 small arrears around the seat tube/top tube joint where it looks as if the lacquer has lift from the surface underneath. While this may indicate that the joint has been stressed it may not be damaged. Might have to do a search on the Internet for companies doing repairs and speak to them.

[Muzzlehatch]

X-raying is quite easy and is normal procedure for checking damage to carbon bikes. Good luck with getting it checked either way, I hope it's repairable or better still, undamaged.

[AJAX50]

I think if it has been damaged it would be visible with carbon. It is quite easy to repair, maybe speak to a carbon boat or mast builder. Try Nigel Waller near Ipswich or Carbonology in Woodbridge. We have repaired a broken carbon mast on a sailing dingy with a kit from Carbonology. The forces on a mast are huge.

[zasker]

Was hit by a car about 12 years ago which cracked the carbon frame, the third party sent an insurance assessor out to inspect the bike. The shop pointed out the damage and the guy agreed, however he was a car assessor. The insurance company didn't want the bike so I kept it. The frame, forks, cranks and wheels were all damaged so wasn't really worth anything anyway. I am currently waiting for the third parties insurance to send an assessor out. The bike is at a LBS who carried out the estimate for repair. Not sure what will happen to the bike once they have agreed a figure but again the frame, forks and wheels are damaged so the only bits of any really value are the Hayes HFX 9 carbon brakes and possibly the crankset. Will have to wait and see.