Then it may only be paint cracked from the backlash, they did not look like structural damage
the original cracking nose was probably from backlash too
The frame is cracked. Denied warranty.
- Thread starter jam56
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the original cracking nose was probably from backlash too
GodsTherapist
Member
Amflow should send you a new frame. How much is the cost price per frame for Amflow? 50$, 100$?
Why?
It’s always possible that unrelated issues occur at the same time, I read this so many times on forums “if X occurred then it must have lead to Y” etc. It’s like people believe issues have a sense of fair play and queue one after the other. 
It’s entirely possible that the frame had a defect, nobody manufactures everything 100% perfectly, 100% of the time, just as somebody could have messed up a fork install.
All that’s happened here is that the manufacturer has been given a ‘get out’ by the fact the forks have been changed and they’re probably likely pointing at that and some poor finishing as evidence that the warranty isn’t on them. Warranty employees are guilty of the same flawed thinking at times, but they’re doing what they’re told a lot of the time.
It may be one to put down to experience, albeit a poor one, and move on.
By the way, the star nut and top cap are just to pre-tension the headset assembly, the clamping force of the stem on the fork steerer then keeps it tight, not the top cap. You could remove that completely and your forks won’t fall out.
It’s entirely possible that the frame had a defect, nobody manufactures everything 100% perfectly, 100% of the time, just as somebody could have messed up a fork install.
All that’s happened here is that the manufacturer has been given a ‘get out’ by the fact the forks have been changed and they’re probably likely pointing at that and some poor finishing as evidence that the warranty isn’t on them. Warranty employees are guilty of the same flawed thinking at times, but they’re doing what they’re told a lot of the time.
It may be one to put down to experience, albeit a poor one, and move on.
By the way, the star nut and top cap are just to pre-tension the headset assembly, the clamping force of the stem on the fork steerer then keeps it tight, not the top cap. You could remove that completely and your forks won’t fall out.
Assuming of course that when the forks were changed the correct procedure for tightening the forks against the bearings was followed.
Of course!
I’ve seen top caps bent in the middle after somebody has applied masses of torque to try and ‘tighten the headset’ when it was actually bottoming out against the top of the steerer, needed one more stem spacer.
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- #37
I always tighten all bolts with a torque wrench to the required torque. The maximum torque is indicated on many bolts. For topcap it is 4nmOf course!
I’ve seen top caps bent in the middle after somebody has applied masses of torque to try and ‘tighten the headset’ when it was actually bottoming out against the top of the steerer, needed one more stem spacer.
Which is great, but you have to have space between the top of the steerer tube and bottom of the top cap to tension the headset.
Not saying yours didn’t of course, it lots of people get this wrong, but a bike shop shouldn’t.
Just trying to add a bit of sense to this: no one here can remote diagnose the crack. If it's a paint defect or deeper crack or whatever is impossible to know without seeing it first hand, by someone who knows what to look for. Ill leave it to the ill informed and quick-to-judge to do that, but don't belive it. Belive someone who can actually make a real diagnose.
Contact a proper carbon repair shop if amflow turns your claim down.
Contact a proper carbon repair shop if amflow turns your claim down.
nrgbod
Member
I regreased my headset bearings, during routine maintenance, at the weekend and noticed the cups in my frame have a lot of filler and are pretty uneven. They also show obvious signs of reworking/ manual dressing. They look similar to yours except without the cracks as far as I can see.
This is the first time my headset has been disassembled and the forks are standard and have never shown any sign of slop or movement in the headset.
View attachment 164554
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- Thread starter
- #41
I have no cracks in the bearing fit area.
Having seen Volta picture now, I would keep pressing the warranty claim with Amflow.
Worst case scenario, they ultimately say no, but your frame can still be repaired by a competent carbon repair shop so you won’t have lost everything.
Amflow will likely want to inspect the frame though, which means getting it back to your mate in China presumably?
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- #43
I can saw off a piece of the frame and send it to them for research, no problem.
Let them give me a new frame first so I can put the bike back together and keep riding.
yorkshire89
E*POWAH Master
Have you sent this to Amflow? That finish is awful
nrgbod
Member
That's why I took the pictures, I was shocked at the finish to be honest.
The bottom cup is just as bad, I've now managed to upload the second picture which wouldn't send until downsized it.
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nrgbod
Member
Yes, I was referring to the cracks from the corners of the knock-block slot.
The point I was trying to make is that the areas highlighted by Amflow look like the areas of hi/lo and or filler which you can see on my pictures.
John_likes_bikes
Well-known member
This is why I steer (pun) clear of frames with integrated headset cups. Not that it helps to say. The fit and finish on both of these frames is terrible in a place where tolerances have to be spot on.
At first I was leaning to the side of Amflow, but seeing a second pic I would keep pushing for a resolution.
At first I was leaning to the side of Amflow, but seeing a second pic I would keep pushing for a resolution.
John_likes_bikes
Well-known member
That shouldn't pass QC in any way. I would note that in a communication to Amflow today. You have to think those imperfections are going to lead to high pressure areas and cracks at some point, like the OP.
Plummet
Flash Git
I'll be honest. I am amused at people buying undergunned frames, slapping big forks on them and then wondering why they are having problems.
Why not spec a grunty build from the begining rather than buy a lighter weeker bike then try and make it into something that it isn't?
Why not spec a grunty build from the begining rather than buy a lighter weeker bike then try and make it into something that it isn't?
yorkshire89
E*POWAH Master
OP has increased the bikes fork by 10mm. Amflow clearly states this is ok on their website.
Don't see why he or anyone else wouldn't be annoyed if their frame cracked in such a short time, especially if amflow turn around and say it's not their problem without inspecting the bike.
If I had an amflow I'd have the forks out now to check the carbon over
Emailsucks98
Well-known member
The original threadless headset designs came with plastic top caps. The top cap should be the first point of failure if the system is over-tightened. (Or maybe second, with the 1st being the star-nut getting pulled upwards).
I think it's very unlikely you could crack a headtube by over-tightening the headset unless something else was wrong (like a QC issue, incorrectly installed headset, wrong headset spec, etc). The headset cap/star nut design is a failsafe.
Riding with a loose headset would could do it though. I've seen that happen.
Any quality brand would at least offer a discounted crash replacement.
Plummet
Flash Git
Warrantees notwithstanding.
My point is that this is a light trail bike. Not an enduro bike. Why buy a light trail bike and then try and make it an enduro bike?
Buy an enduro bike to begin with.
Agreed.
Yes, this would be more of a problem.
Again, agree, most established big brands offer such a thing, being a ‘disruptor’ brand, I’m surprised that Amflow would die in a ditch over this one, especially now we’re seeing pics of the headset area…
I am with you on this .Also saying "I am not doing big jumps and drops etc"....why did you put beefy fork with more travel then?
And lastly whoever replaced the fork,battered head tube .
Still id expect Amflow to either replace frame or give discount for new one.Clearly as PR stunt.
D
Deleted member 9676
Guest
It's actually tree fiddy.
Murphius
Active member
The people coming to the defense of Amflown in this scenario is disgusting.
If the issue was exclusively noise, sure we could debate the lower crown race and its installation. The crack at the head tube and down tube junction (the real issue here) was absolutely not due to the installation of the lower crown race or bearing. If it was crown race or bearing installation, we’d see failure in the region Amflown is noting the grooves, where the bearing race actually rests.
If the issue was exclusively noise, sure we could debate the lower crown race and its installation. The crack at the head tube and down tube junction (the real issue here) was absolutely not due to the installation of the lower crown race or bearing. If it was crown race or bearing installation, we’d see failure in the region Amflown is noting the grooves, where the bearing race actually rests.
It doesn't matter, once fork was replaced and quite poorly by the look of it it had given Amflow options to refuse warranty regardless who is to blame.
- Thread starter
- #59
Guys, stop fantasizing and trying to find fault.
the stock fox 36 fork was replaced with a fox 38 due to my weight! I weigh 110kg and the stock fork works very poorly for my weight, only for this reason I changed it for a more plush fork. And amflow allows 170mm forks.
And replacing the fork is 100% not the cause of frame cracks!
the stock fox 36 fork was replaced with a fox 38 due to my weight! I weigh 110kg and the stock fork works very poorly for my weight, only for this reason I changed it for a more plush fork. And amflow allows 170mm forks.
And replacing the fork is 100% not the cause of frame cracks!
Nobody is saying it was but that gives Amflow excuse all I am saying.Even if fitting process (done by cavemen not professional)wasn't reason for frame cracking, Amflow will claim it was and they will get away with.But if they really care about customers and try to get bigger platform giving you new frame of hefty discount would be good idea.
Amflow can take 125kg (including rider)according to specs so you were over limit anyway.
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