Paint or Frame Crack

Likely not gonna hear yea or nay based on a description.  I'd run it back by the shop and see what they say.

Assuming its a Ti bike.  They do crack, I had a Saber crack, but I think I rode on that for a long time.  I am not a metallurgist, but I believe Ti doesn't crack like carbon (i.e., massive failure).  Altho if it is cracked, riding and hoping for the best isn't the smartest thing to do.....

Here are pictures, they are the best i could do. I hope they are high enough resolution to see... it was 4mb original pictures and down to 1mb for the site i think.

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll107/aplohris/Bike%20Crack/

I like the idea of checking with at least one LBS before going forward. With that being said, and do not hold me to it, these cracks seem to be in the clear coat on the paint. I would figure that if the frame was cracked, you would see rust in the spider web, not just around the screw holes. Again, check with a LBS to be sure, but you should at least sleep well tonight

also, if you want to be sure, you could sand the paint and see if the cracks go away. If it is only in the clear coat, they will go away. If I remember correctly, commercial airplanes are stripped of paint periodicaly to check for cracks. The worst that could happen is to confirm cracks that are not worth getting hurt with. At best, you need a new paint job

Since when is a 6 year old bike an "old frame"? I upgraded my bike last year from a 1992; and we just got a new bike to replace mrs. gearboy's 1985!

Thanks ffor the input so far, would like to get as much as possible. I will run it by a shop this weekend to double check for sure.

Touche'  .... i guess from my perspective it is older.... considering i wasn't born in 1985.

x2 - Doesn't hurt to get a free check from the LBS for a little sanity...

Those are strictly clear coat cracks.  Carefully use a sharp knife (razor would be best) and you will be able to flake a bit of the clear off and inspect the white to see if that is cracked also.  I'd bet no as it appears the clear has separated from the base coat.  If the base coat was also cracked, you would see lifting under the decal and the lines would not be smooth across the transition from base to decal.

If you are really worried about it, you can disassemble the bike and take it to a media blaster to remove the paint.  If it checks out, call up Litespeed for some new decals and put it all back together.

i agree 100%, looks like the paint is failing, i have not seen metal crack in that close a proximity of each crack, maybe some moisture got underneath and is delaminating the paint from the frame.

Take it to the LBS anyway and get a piece of mind, but you have a decent chance of being ok.

Good luck in N'Orleans

I agree it looks 99% like paint cracks, the only question I have is there are a couple of discolored spots slightly away from the bottle holes. Get it checked for sure, but you're prolly all right.

John