R&M Charger3, corrosio frame possible ?
- Thread starter pnowak2
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it has been done by seller, i got finally deal with them, got great discount etc + they offered repair in form of sanding, painting and putting a protective sticker on it, but not sure if i really should do it, as it makes the frame look weird..
just wondering if such damage can be bad for the frame in future..
just wondering if such damage can be bad for the frame in future..
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
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- Mazovia, PL
Aluminium alloys are corrosion resistant. Don't worry. (Aluminium reacts with oxygen immediately, forming a hard layer of resistant Al2O3. Only never treat your e-bike with bases, like, er, Domestos) 
that's the point, not sure what alloy R&M frames are made with
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
All modern bike frames are made either of aluminium alloys or carbon fibre, or (rarely) titanium. I am sure your bike's frame is made of aluminium alloy. Nobody makes modern e-bikes of steel anymore.
Akrotiri
Well-Known Member
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- Europe
Kona still makes steel frame bikes as does Surly and Tout Terrain
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Not for e-bikes. 6061 aluminium is used for Kona e-bikes.
Surly makes no e-bikes.
Tout Terrain appear to take their non-electric bikes and convert them with Direct Drive motor, Gates belt and Pinion gearbox. Sorry to say it but Riese & Muller belong to another world: e-bike world.
Last edited:
Akrotiri
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Yes you’re correct , just see that you said ebikes
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Long Tail Electric Cargo Bike | Big Easy Cargo E-Bike
Surly Big Easy is a long-tail cargo electric cargo bike designed to help you haul more stuff with less effort.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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- Europe
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- Mazovia, PL
I would rather expect you Richard confirming R&M frames were made of hydroformed aluminiumLong Tail Electric Cargo Bike | Big Easy Cargo E-Bike
Surly Big Easy is a long-tail cargo electric cargo bike designed to help you haul more stuff with less effort.
Akrotiri
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Sorry didn’t mean to derail the threadI would rather expect you Richard confirming R&M frames were made of hydroformed aluminium
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
I can't confirm hydroformed frames one way or the other, not having personally examined each model. All the frames I have seen have consistently shaped tubes, with no flares or compound curves and plates welded together with very high quality, durable welding jobs. I've not seen better welding on any other bike. Some have complained that their welds still show the layered beads of weld rather than being ground down to make the smooth and pretty. That looks nice but it weakens the welds. In my mind R&M made the proper choice on this. I have never heard of a break on a R&M frame.I would rather expect you Richard confirming R&M frames were made of hydroformed aluminium
Their paint is another story. My observation and that of others is that they use soft paints without a harder protective clear coat...very easily scratched and damaged. I have made repeated requests for touch up paint or at least color formulas to get paint custom mixed locally. However we are talking aesthetics here. No functional issues with frame strength or durability.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I only meant R&M e-bikes were made of aluminum (not of steel) because the only question from the OP was whether the Charger3 frame could corrode...
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Yes Riese & Muller frames are all made of aluminum. I don't know which specific alloys are used as that is something rarely if ever revealed in any product literature.I only meant R&M e-bikes were made of aluminum (not of steel) because the only question from the OP was whether the Charger3 frame could corrode...
There are many different alloys of aluminum that are used for different purposes. Some alloys are specifically designed for enhanced strength, others for corrosion resistance. These are used more often in marine applications.
Aluminum has an excellent strength to weight ratio so even though to match the strength of steel it must be much thicker, it still weighs much less. Often products made to sell at bargain prices will skimp on the thickness of the aluminum used to trim costs. These products look the same but over time their inherent weakness will be revealed. Also use of the wrong alloys can results in weaker construction. Aluminum is brittle so it is subject to metal fatigue and does not flex or absorb vibrational energy. Again there are alloys of aluminum that in part correct these properties.
Aluminum is very difficult to keep properly finished. It oxidizes very quickly and those oxidized surfaces will not hold finishes for very long. It must first be sanded to bare shiny newly exposed metal and then immediately an acid etch must be applied to halt oxidation. Then are barrier coats of primer are applied. If there is any pitting in the metal surface then a filler coat applied, then coats of finish primer and finally top coats. Proper sanding must be done between each coat.
Alaskan
Well-Known Member
Once you have a scratch down to metal in aluminum, it becomes and entry point for corrosion and the size of the exposed area will grow over time. Frankly, if you have little experience with preparation, sanding and application of primers and paint, you should take up the shop's offer of having the paint repaired professionally. Insist that it be done properly, best done by an auto repair shop. This is a brand new, very expensive bike. It should be delivered in perfect condition and I personally would accept nothing less.
Yes you will put scratches on it and you should look after them. But it should not be delivered to you new with a scratch. When you do scratch it yourself, go to an auto parts store and buy a the closest color touch up paint . Use a little piece of 320 grit sandpaper folded in half to just carefully sand inside the scratch and not on adjacent paint. Then brush on some white vinegar to acid etch the metal. Shake up the touch up paint and carefully fill the crack Let it dry one day and then apply a second coat.
Yes you will put scratches on it and you should look after them. But it should not be delivered to you new with a scratch. When you do scratch it yourself, go to an auto parts store and buy a the closest color touch up paint . Use a little piece of 320 grit sandpaper folded in half to just carefully sand inside the scratch and not on adjacent paint. Then brush on some white vinegar to acid etch the metal. Shake up the touch up paint and carefully fill the crack Let it dry one day and then apply a second coat.
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