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See the white mid picture in the shape of a canine tooth. The sticker / veneer came off / separated. Is it something I should worry about? Is there something I can do? Niner Air Nine Carbon. Chip

I got a response back from Niner

Thanks for being part of the niner nation! That looks like some rock strike which is no big deal in that area. Ride On!

paparazzo
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  • I've looked at that picture several times, and I still can't see the chip. – Daniel R Hicks Aug 03 '14 at 13:50
  • Well, "mid picture" is just to the left of the bottom bracket flange, and that's all black, I see a discoloration on the end of the downtube, adjacent to the bottom bracket. I've never studied carbon frames very closely, but it appears to be a spot where the gelcoat has flaked off. I'd have considerable difficulty believing it's a structural problem. – Daniel R Hicks Aug 03 '14 at 14:29
  • @DanielRHicks Yes I think you have found what I describe as the white mid picture. I am not worried that it is an immediate structural problem today. I am wondering if I need to repair the chip and if so how. – paparazzo Aug 03 '14 at 17:51
  • I sent an email to Niner and will stop by the local Niner shop and report what I find out. Carbon fiber is awesome I am just learning how to maintain it. What I call a sticker may actually be a carbon fiber layer. – paparazzo Aug 03 '14 at 23:20
  • For me that looks like a plastic protection sticker, just there to prevent little stones from damaging the carbon. In that case the problem would purely be an optical one. – linac Aug 04 '14 at 11:06
  • @linac I looked at it again and it may just be plastic protection. It has a bit of a pattern in the plastic but it may be just for cosmetics. Please post that as an answer in case it turns out to be the answer. – paparazzo Aug 04 '14 at 14:22
  • If it is carbon and not jet black that means there is bridging in the fibre and the area which is sheering off if just resin. I would also indicate that the area is much weaker than is was engineered to be. Most people have stated its a cover of some sort. Have you unbolted is to look at the area underneath? – user95786 Aug 05 '14 at 22:00
  • @user95786 I don't know what "unbolted is to look at the area underneath?" is. And Niner told me not to worry. – paparazzo Aug 05 '14 at 22:11

1 Answers1

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Going with the comment from linac

Looks like a plastic protection sticker, just there to prevent little stones from damaging the carbon.

paparazzo
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