There are four standard inspection services offered:

Full frame and fork standard inspection

I fully inspect the frame and the fork using our specialised technology including Ultrasound scans as required. The frame needs to be disassembled to provide complete access to all critical areas of the frame and fork.

Frame only inspection

I fully inspect the frame only using our specialised technology including Ultrasound scans as required. The frame needs to be disassembled to provide complete access to all critical areas.

Fork only inspection

I fully inspect the fork using our specialised technology including Ultrasound scans as required. The fork needs to be removed from the frame to provide complete access to all critical areas.

Local area only inspection

I inspect a local area of concern on either the frame or the fork using our specialised technology including Ultrasound scans as required. Depending on the location of the suspected damage it may be required to disassemble the bike for access to critical areas. This also applies to components such as wheels, handlebars, seatposts, etc.

Inspection Methods

Below is a brief description of the methods used to inspect your bike,  all of these are used in combination to determine the structural integrity of your bike.

Visual Inspection Process

I inspect the bike or bike components visually using HID spotlamps to provide excellent uniform illumination of any possible damage. I also have fibrescopes to look at the internal areas of the frame as well as magnifying instruments to view possible damage indications. Damage typically found with this method includes surface damage and cracks. A sweep with the hand can also assist with finding surface damage. Particular emphasis is placed on higher stress locations and locations determined to be susceptible to the type of incident sustained.

Ultrasound Inspection Process

I am the only bike repairer qualified to use Ultrasound A-scan technology. This process utilises a small transducer manually position on the part to send a ultrasound wave through the thickness of the material and measure the return signal strength and position. This method is the gold standard used in aerospace to find defects and damage in composite material components due to its reliability in finding damage.

Due to the “planar” nature of composite laminates (made by stacking multiple thin layers to provide a thick structure), faults in these layers are readily found with the Ultrasound method. With Ultrasound scans it is possible to determine the thickness of the part, the type of defect and the size and depth of the defect. Other methods such as X ray are not effective at finding “planar” damage or defects that can occur in composite materials, such as delamination. Special equipment is required in conjunction with experience in the type of material being inspected. Some types of geometry are very difficult to inspect due to the surface condition and flow of sound within the part.

Acoustic Inspection Process

I have a range of acoustic methods that can be applied to assist in damage detection. These methods range from a “tap test” using a specially designed tap hammer, to frequency measurement response with an instrument. The acoustic method is done to assist in locating sub surface damage such as disbonds. This type of damage generally cannot be found visually. This test is performed using the special tap hammer and listening to the audible frequency in a similar way a tuning fork “rings”. An instrument can also be used to measure the sound frequency within the part. The geometry of the structure has an influence on the sound output and needs to be taken into consideration.

Experience

This is the most important ingredient, I have over 30 years experience working with carbon composites in bikes, I have built, ridden and raced carbon bikes during this time. I have also been employed in aerospace and defence and held approvals to certify aircraft safe to fly. I have worked with the Australian Olympic Team and designed the product range of carbon bikes for Malvern Star which has carried the highly successful Genesys Team to dominate the National Road Series in the past. I continue to consult on the design of bicycles and products in the market. I know the structural demands on a bike and how carbon composite reacts to those demands.

I will assess your bike with the same thoroughness I used inspecting commercial and military aircraft components.