We assess bikes using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods like ultrasound, acoustic inspection using tools such as digital tap hammers, penetrative solvents and visual inspection. This and our years of experience allow us to assess the full extent of damage, often locating damage beyond what can be visually detected. inspection & assessment

We use ultrasound technology to inspect and assess frames and parts to understand and check the uniformity of the laminate thickness of the carbon structure. We can then map out damaged/delaminated areas or find defects such as - the presence of voids and/or porosity, wrinkles or seams, inclusions, and foreign material presence or quality and bonding of the laminate and integrity of previous repairs.
Due to the lower safety coefficients of the latest frames (super lightweight), the need for damage-detection and characterization has increased. Hidden internal flaws and defects within a carbon frame are not uncommon. These hidden flaws and defects might result from manufacturing anomalies, applied stresses or weaknesses, accidents, or improper repairs. They can have a significant impact on the structural integrity of the bike and are normally not detectable by radiography (X-Ray) or by NDT techniques other than Ultrasonic Testing (UT).
Knowing this information influences the repair strategy or allows us to write a Damage Assessment Report.
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is well suited to carbon frames and components as, one-sided access is sufficient, minimal or no surface preparation is needed (do not need to remove paint). UT is highly accurate in determining the exact point of a hidden anomaly and its main characteristics such as depth, size, and shape. UT provides instantaneous results and objective data.
Some bike brands, distributors, or shops may ask you to remove some paint to see if the carbon is cracked underneath and not just the paint. This is because they cannot tell if the carbon is damaged, an underlying manufacturing defect or if in fact, it is just a paint crack/ scratch. This is not a good process and will only reveal the surface layer as well as causing cosmetic damage.
Ultrasonic testing with the correct equipment and a well trained and experienced operator is a powerful and non-invasive method of testing a carbon frame or component. Carbon Bike Doctor has invested extensively in the right equipment and experience to bring this aerospace industry-accepted testing method to the bike industry.

The traditional coin-tap testing is one of the oldest methods of non-destructive testing and it is regularly used for testing laminated structures. Acoustic/ Percussion testing requires the surveyor to tap each point of the structure to be inspected with a coin and listen to the resulting sound radiated by the structure.
Unfortunately, the coin tapping method is dependent upon the inspector’s hearing and interpretation, the results are subject to interference from background noise, and this technique is unable to provide quantitative data.
Composites are widely used in the aerospace industry. One of the biggest players in that industry - Boeing. They have developed an Electronic Digital Tap Hammer that provides a quantitative measure of the hammer/composite impulse time that can be correlated to flaws such as delaminations in the structure. The instrumented tap hammer supplements the tonal discrimination of the operator with a numeric readout that is related to local part quality. The effects of background noise and operator differences on the inspection results are eliminated. This hammer is relatively insensitive to the magnitude or forcefulness of the hammer hit, but very sensitive to the local stiffness of the structure. This method provides objectivity in the test, increases the sensitivity of the test and enables the inspector to collect quantitative results of the actual impact response.
At Carbon Bike Doctor we have invested in this equipment and use this technology to test your frame. The Electronic Digital Tap Hammer has proven to be a powerful and non-invasive method of testing a carbon frame or component as the readings can be correlated to corresponding parts of the frame and give quick numeric readings for comparison.

Taking into account the customer provided details of the circumstances of the incident resulting in the damage, a visual inspection is conducted using some or all of the following equipment – high intensity spot lamps, fibrescopes for internal inspection of tubes, magnifying glasses, penetrative solvents and use of a cotton gloved hand sweeping over the surface to feel for fractured carbon fibre ends.