So I crashed my bike and cracked the frame (top tube). At first I thought it was superficial/paint, but I was suspicious it may be more and that was confirmed by the store. Two actually. They specifically said that although the carbon fiber was cracked it was only a couple layers and wasn't broken all the way through. The crack is mid-top tube, about a half a centimeter wide and 2 centimeters long, or at least that's the size of it that I can see.
Now I know the official answer is that I shouldn't ride it (and that's the bike shop's stance), but I'm wondering what others' thoughts are. How much force/weight is really transmitted across the top tube anyway? Does it matter that the crack isn't the full thickness of the tubing? I already rode the bike home, about 10 miles at 20+ mph, after the crash and crack occurred (no cell phone service) with no problems.
I intend to replace it eventually but would rather wait till I can afford to spend more on a quality frame than spend what is still a decent amount on a frame I don't love. Yeah yeah yeah don't ride a bike you can't afford to replace. Shut it.
So assuming no races or sprinting or anything too crazy, would you ride it?
Now I know the official answer is that I shouldn't ride it (and that's the bike shop's stance), but I'm wondering what others' thoughts are. How much force/weight is really transmitted across the top tube anyway? Does it matter that the crack isn't the full thickness of the tubing? I already rode the bike home, about 10 miles at 20+ mph, after the crash and crack occurred (no cell phone service) with no problems.
I intend to replace it eventually but would rather wait till I can afford to spend more on a quality frame than spend what is still a decent amount on a frame I don't love. Yeah yeah yeah don't ride a bike you can't afford to replace. Shut it.
So assuming no races or sprinting or anything too crazy, would you ride it?