Gouged Alloy Frame

Hi All

Picked up what I think is a Cannondale 3.0 series frame on ebay, probably a bit overpriced as its fairly well scratched but I've been on the hunt for one and it does have an amazing metallic fade paint job. Upon recieving it today I checked it over for cracks and noticed some minor gouging around the rear brake bridge - it looks like its been carelessly clamped by something and possibly twisted.

I'm fairly unfamiliar with alloy, is this something to worry about? The paint removal makes it look worse but there are definite ridges where the alloy has been bitten into . Can I file this back /fill it or is it likely to live up to its crack'n'fail moniker? If so I feel like i should bring it up with the seller as they didnt mention it in the listing.

There's also a spot or two of bubbling paint - is this ok to leave or does it need sanding back ?

thanks

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image of bubbling paint

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It's probably not structural but if the seller didn't mention or photograph those gouges above the brake bridge you're definitely entitled to some compensation.

Looking at it the worst is on the wide fillet of the brake bridge so hopefully won't affect the structural strength . Perhaps I could file it down and use some alloy filler , like you get for car alloy scratches ? Might be better not to cover it so I can keep an eye on it ..

I'd be a bit leery of that with aluminium not being as forgiving as steel, but it's hard to guage that close up.

I'd get someone who knows what they're talking about to have a look at it.

Even if it is deemed fit, I agree you're due some money back.

Hmmm I'll check with Argos if they deal with alloy much and maybe take it down on the weekend. I hope its not scrap :( from this angle it doesnt look so bad...

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image..

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from this angle it doesnt look so bad...

Agreed.

I'm sure I'm being over-cautious, but where the damage is I could only think of it being damage from locking up and the tube being bent.

The tubes aren't bent, they all look fine, not sure what caused it.

any thoughts on the bubbling paint? shall I leave it be or does it need sanding..

any thoughts on the bubbling paint? shall I leave it be or does it need sanding..

Oxidisation underneath the paint. Leave it alone, it's fine.

A framebuilder like @coldharbour or @Mikenetic might be able to give you some insight on your gouges thing - I might be wrong, but I don't think that area is under much stress and the worst of it seems to be on the weld, so it might be OK long term.

But as above, if this was impossible to see in the sale photos and not mentioned on the description then it might be worth just returning it.

Thanks, I hope its salvegable, Im sure another will come along but it is a wicked pain scheme

A strange feature - the graphics and serial number indicate it is a 1994 model but it has a threadless steerer. The forks could be replacements but they have exactly the same paint fade finish so seems unlikely. Were threadless forks around that early? I thought they were late 90s. The catalogues don't seem to show threadless till late 90s early 00s

@coldharbour has way more building experience than me, but in my opinion the gouges aren't too much of a concern. The alloy will be pretty thick, and there's a substantial amount of weld

Typically brake bridges are mitred to match the profile of the stays, what that means is that it normally grips around the stay (like this).

It's pretty firmly wedged in. The other side looks fine, so even in the very worst case it's likely to twist, rather than break away.

The bubbling paint looks like water (or sweat, most likely) has got in under the cable adjuster mount. Might be worth giving that a poke with a sharp point to make sure it's solid under there. I've seen sweat corrode right though an alloy handlebar. Unlikely in this case, most likely it's surface oxidation on the tube debonding the paint, as Howard says.

Thanks it seems structurally sound I guess the question is how to repair it. I might repaint at some point so would need filing and filling I guess. Ill see what Argos say

Just had another look at the 1994 catalogue and the 2.8 frames did have ahead forks, I didnt know they went that far back. This model (R300 3.0 frame ) doesnt feature in the catalogue but must be a European variation I guess

Turned out fine, Argos said it wasn't as bad as it looked or structural and could smooth it out and fill it when I came to repaint. The seller was good enough to refund me enough to cover the cost for the repair.