Got a System Six frame today from the U.S. It was advertised on Ebay.com and the seller has over 2000+ feedback. The description said it had only a few minor cosmetic marks. The seller said he'd end the auction early because the auction ended at 4am UK time and I couldn't bid.

When checking the frame over today I've seen what looks like a crack on the right-hand side of the top tube. It's about 8mm and under the clear coat and when you rub your finger over it you can feel a bump. This is what I was dreading!

There doesn't appear to be any obvious damage to the box and the frame was well packed. There are some light abrasions on the top tube near the seat post clamp and a deep mark to the metal on the right seat stay but no scratches or anything on the surface on where the crack is.

I've tried to take a close up photo but this was as close as the camera would go

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2003/2340004547_dde2750cd9_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/2340925226_c9bf987547_b.jpg

Best to have it checked out to be sure but it looks like it is in the paint/clear coat and not necessarily in the frame. Carbon flexes but sometimes the paint doesn't. My carbon TREK developed very similar looking cracks in the paint where the seat tube joined the bb. Only cosmetic, but TREK replaced it for me anyway.

My 2 cents.

Thanks tomato. I've posted this same story on several sites. Quite a few people think that an air bubble in the clear coat has cracked the decal, so I'm hoping this is the case. I'm going to ride it anyway

Hopefully it is a bubble underneath the paint. I've noticed that Cannondale doesn't have the cleanest paint rooms. On my CAAD4, there are a number of dust particles that have been trapped under the paint. I find it strange since I've seen automotive body shop wok that has been flawless. I saw some of the stuff that comes out of Joe's Bycle Painting, who paints the Calfees and I don't see the stuff that I see on the Cannondale frames. Mind you, I'm not really picky but for a high end machine, I would expect better. Didn't see this type of oversight on the Pinarello Prince, the Pegorettis and Cervelos at the LBS. Anyone with similar experiences? Can't complain about the performance of the bike though, at least in that regard I'm quite certain it gets me from point A to B as quickly as my legs will allow.

Hopefully it is a bubble underneath the paint. I've noticed that Cannondale doesn't have the cleanest paint rooms. On my CAAD4, there are a number of dust particles that have been trapped under the paint. I find it strange since I've seen automotive body shop wok that has been flawless. I saw some of the stuff that comes out of Joe's Bycle Painting, who paints the Calfees and I don't see the stuff that I see on the Cannondale frames. Mind you, I'm not really picky but for a high end machine, I would expect better. Didn't see this type of oversight on the Pinarello Prince, the Pegorettis and Cervelos at the LBS. Anyone with similar experiences? Can't complain about the performance of the bike though, at least in that regard I'm quite certain it gets me from point A to B as quickly as my legs will allow.

I'd have to agree. The paint on c'dales aren't the best. I've had small and forgetable blemishes on every c'dale I've owned. didn't do a thing to take away my enjoyment but I agree when you spend a lot of money on a bike it should look good too.

paint bubble methinks. hope that's all it is.