I have a 2007 Raleigh Team carbon frame that the top seat tube water bottle bolt is frooze in the insert and when you try and remove the bolt the insert wants to turn with it.
The frame has a life time warranty and after talking to Raleigh about the problem they said this would be covered. I would have to remove everything from the frame and take the frame to a local dealer and he would have them mail it to Raleigh for repairs free of charge.
Is it worth breaking the bike down and sending it off to get this fixed, or just live with it like I have been?
You wouldn't get a new frame. I have known a couple of guys who have had this done and they both got their same frame back and you could not tell that there ever was anything done except that the insert was anchored and the bolt had been removed. I think that they also spot paint it there too, because one of my friends had a scratch that he had accidently put on the frame when he was trying to free it up and the scratch was gone when he got the frame back. A couple of other scratches on other areas were still there though.
Try removing the seat post and reach down inside with a 12" or longer pair of needle nose pliers and gripping the outside of the threaded rivet in the frame. You may be able to back out the screw with a little luck seeing as it is the top screw. When reattaching your water bottle cage apply a layer of anti seize to your screw and only snug it back in place tight enough so it wont back out. Check it periodically.
Or you can send it back to Raleigh and ride it in the Fall.
You wouldn't get a new frame. I have known a couple of guys who have had this done and they both got their same frame back and you could not tell that there ever was anything done except that the insert was anchored and the bolt had been removed. I think that they also spot paint it there too, because one of my friends had a scratch that he had accidently put on the frame when he was trying to free it up and the scratch was gone when he got the frame back. A couple of other scratches on other areas were still there though.
I'm fine with that and hope they can get it fixed. The new frames have nothing on the looks of the 2007 Team frame..
Try removing the seat post and reach down inside with a 12" or longer pair of needle nose pliers and gripping the outside of the threaded rivet in the frame. You may be able to back out the screw with a little luck seeing as it is the top screw. When reattaching your water bottle cage apply a layer of anti seize to your screw and only snug it back in place tight enough so it wont back out. Check it periodically.
Or you can send it back to Raleigh and ride it in the Fall.
Have looked down the seat tube and it would take a very long pair of pliers to reach it and then trying to apply enough force to hold onto it while I back out the bolt. I'm going to break it down next week and have my LBS send it to Raleigh...
