First, you
Check yourself before the bike. Head knocks, wrist injuries and road rash are easy to underestimate with adrenaline running. If you hit your head, or anything doesn't feel right, get medical help and leave the bike for later.
At the roadside: is it safe to ride home?
- Brakes: both levers firm, and both calipers grip. A bent rotor or a lever that's been knocked inward can make braking unpredictable.
- Wheels: spin each one and watch the rim and the tire. A wobble, a dent or a bulge in the tire means riding slowly or not at all.
- Bars and levers: straighten anything that's rotated, but don't force a carbon bar back into line. If it feels loose or cracked, don't ride on it.
- Rear derailleur: look from behind. If it's bent inward, don't shift into the largest cogs, because the derailleur can catch the spokes. Stay in a middle gear and ride gently.
- Frame and fork: look at the fork legs, the down tube, the top tube and the seatstays for cracks, chips or exposed fibers.
If anything on the frame, fork, bar or steerer looks damaged, the safest choice is a lift home.
At home: a closer inspection
Clean the bike and look in good light, especially at the areas that took the hit. Signs that carbon may be damaged include:
- Cracks, including fine lines in the paint that weren't there before.
- Chipped or crazed paint that exposes fibers.
- Soft spots or flex when you press gently.
- A new creak or crunch under load.
- A change in sound when you tap the area lightly with a coin, compared with a nearby undamaged area. This is a rough indicator only; it can't prove a frame is sound.
Pay special attention to the fork and steerer, the handlebar and stem, and the seatpost, because those failing causes the worst crashes. Carbon handlebars that have hit the ground hard are often replaced as a precaution.
Don't forget the rest
- Derailleur hanger: even a slight bend causes poor shifting and can send the derailleur into the spokes. It should be checked with a hanger alignment tool.
- Electronic shifting: check that the shifters still pair and the derailleurs still respond. A crash can knock a component out of adjustment or out of its pairing.
- Wheels: check spoke tension and true, and inspect carbon rims carefully at the braking surface or edge that hit.
- Helmet: most helmet makers advise replacing a helmet after any significant impact, even if it looks fine, because the foam is designed to protect once.
When to stop and have it inspected
Have the bike professionally inspected if the frame, fork, bar or seatpost took a direct hit, if you see any of the signs above, or if you simply aren't sure. A professional inspection is a careful visual and hands-on check. For an expensive frame, some riders also choose specialist non-destructive testing from a carbon repair company. Many frame makers offer warranty or crash-replacement programs; ask your authorized dealer what applies to your bike.
Bring it to us
We inspect carbon road and triathlon bikes of any brand after a crash and repair what's around the frame: frame and fork inspection, derailleur hanger alignment, wheel truing and electronic shifting re-setup. Book online or call (714) 760-4908, and bring the bike as it is after the crash, with any damaged parts. Riding outside Orange County? Call (714) 760-4908 or email veloadedcyclery@gmail.com first to arrange it and get a service ticket, ship to the shop at 3420 W MacArthur Blvd Suite B, Santa Ana, CA 92704, and ask about return shipping details.
After the inspection
If the frame is fine, we can repair everything else: see bike repair in Santa Ana, wheel truing and Di2 and AXS service for derailleurs knocked out of alignment. If it isn't, we can talk through a replacement frame and a custom build that moves your parts over, or a new Cervélo or Pinarello.
Quick answers
Can a carbon frame be damaged without visible signs?
Yes. Carbon can be damaged internally with little visible on the surface. If the frame took a direct hit, have it inspected.
Is the coin tap test reliable?
It's a rough indicator only. A dull sound compared with nearby areas suggests a closer look, but a normal sound doesn't prove the frame is sound.
Should I replace my helmet after a crash?
Most helmet makers advise replacing a helmet after any significant impact, even if it looks fine. Check your helmet maker's guidance.
Why does my bike shift badly after a crash?
Usually a bent rear derailleur hanger. It should be checked and aligned with a hanger alignment tool before you shift into the largest cogs.
Road and trail conditions change. Check closures before you ride, and ride within your limits.