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Cannondale Frame Corrosion

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  • December 22, 2016 at 8:18 pm #26597
    7rgv

    Hi,

    I have a 2015 Cannondale Bad Boy 2 (Urban/Hybrid): approx. 3 months past the 1 year warranty the aluminium frame is showing areas of corrosion ie. where the frame has been drilled into by the manufacturer – the paint is ‘bubbling’ as can be seen in the images. I use the bike to commute with in all kinds of weather but I always hose down and/or wash the bike after each use and dry afterwards, storing indoors. I have 4 high-end road bikes which I maintain meticulously, including a Colnago Aluminium CX which gets the worst treatment and is spotless. The Cannondale Bad Boy 2 is a one below the top model and is disappointing the frame is corroding so quickly. I contacted Cannondale but was told, even just after warranty, the situation is the ‘brutal truth’. After making an argument with them otherwise, they agreed to take it in but ‘bounced’ back immediately – eyewash only. I know this corrosion is malignant and spreads, is there anything I can do to prevent further damage and increase life-span ?

    Thanks.

    ps. Sorry, I am not able to post the images yet.
     

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Viewing 12 replies - 16 through 27 (of 27 total)
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  • December 28, 2016 at 9:22 am #883877
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    madcarew

    I had a cannondale alloy

    I had a cannondale alloy frame for 20 years which developed corrosion around most of the frame openings. Over that 20 years it didn’t compromise the frame integrity in any way at all. However, I can understand the OP’s frustration at the early onset of this issue. Under the consumer guarantees act (fair trading act?) the item should be free of minor defects and should last for a reasonable time. It’s arguable that this is a minor defect and that the paint coating and protection isn’t lasting for a resaonable time.

    December 23, 2016 at 7:27 pm #883875
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    7rgv

    Thanks Johnny, the acf50

    Thanks Johnny, the acf50 sounds like a good idea. 

    December 23, 2016 at 5:16 pm #883873
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    Johnnystorm

    Treat yourself to a can of
    Treat yourself to a can of acf50

    December 23, 2016 at 5:04 pm #883871
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    StraelGuy

    Whenever I get a new bike, I

    Whenever I get a new bike, I cover the weld breather holes with teeny spots of helicopter tape – especially on the stays.

    December 23, 2016 at 3:14 pm #883869
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    7rgv

    Hi Chris,

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for the reply. The opening in the bottom bracket does not function as an exit unfortunately. The bottom bracket does fill with grime and soil which has to be flushed out periodically and actually required me to replace it as grit wore the ball bearings and runners. Annoying is that the ‘high-end’ bike is corroding after only a year.

    DrG, the small holes were not covered by paint and seem to have been drilled after painting. Yes, I just took it for a spin in this stormy weather ☺.

    December 23, 2016 at 2:37 pm #883867
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    DrG82

    The small holes you see in
    The small holes you see in frames are often there to allow gases to escape when they are welded. These would obviously be covered when painting the frame.
    I wouldn’t worry about it, it’s a commuter bike and is probably going to receive much worse in time.

    December 23, 2016 at 1:30 pm #883865
    0
    Chris James
    7rgv wrote:
     – the bottom bracket has a large opening for cables which allows spray to enter easily. Careless design and manufacture really.

    Actually, I would say that is good design. Water will always be able to get ina  frame, and having an easy exit will prevent the frame from filling with water and galvanic corrosion setting in.

    For galvanic corrosion to take place you need disimilar materials and also an electrolyte (water).

    As was stated in another thread elsewhere on this site, aluminium oxide is very protective and adherent, so there should be no worry about the corroson being ‘malignant – alhough I appreciate it could be aesthetically annoying.

    December 23, 2016 at 10:48 am #883863
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    StraelGuy

    I agree with DrG that it’s

    I agree with DrG that it’s probably galvanic corrosion. Copper-slipping the bolts will slow the process down and prevent any of the fasteners getting stuck in the future.

    December 23, 2016 at 9:51 am #883861
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    7rgv

    OTT perhaps, but it’s

    OTT perhaps, but it’s multiple points – downtube, chain stays etc. Yes, the bottle cage mounting, but also drilled holes on the stays which only seem to be drainage ports for the frame – the bottom bracket has a large opening for cables which allows spray to enter easily. Careless design and manufacture really.

    December 23, 2016 at 9:40 am #883859
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    DrG82

    I think you’re being a bit
    I think you’re being a bit ott about a little bit of corrosion.

    You say that it’s a a drilled point, would this hole have a stainless steel bolt in it? A bottle cage/rack mounting? If so it’s probably galvanic corrosion due to the mixed metals in contact.

    December 23, 2016 at 9:28 am #883857
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    7rgv

    Hi,

    Hi,

    Thanks for the reply. Yes, it’s a matte black finish and priming/repainting seems to be the only solution, but I’ve heard that the corrosion can continue under the new paint ? I ‘m more disappointed that it has happened so quickly and that cannondale fobbed me off so readily. The frame was drilled into after painting – leaving exposed aluminium.

    December 23, 2016 at 7:33 am #883855
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    CXR94Di2

    Rub down prime and repaint,

    Rub down prime and repaint, should be quite easy to get near colour match, is it black model?  

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