A need to bond with my bicycle

My purchase of a carbon framed Specialized Allez Epic, circa 1990, last December looked like a bargain at the time. Unfortunately, the old adage of "There's no such thing as a free lunch" seems to be coming true. Well, coming apart would actually be more accurate. The glue that bonded the rear chainstays to the bottom bracket suddenly decided that 18 years of stalwart performance was more than enough and it's now gone on holiday. There's no sign of it anywhere; it's completely disintegrated. A quick phone call to my favourite bicycle shop ended with the suggestion that the bin is the most suitable receptacle for my bike. A bit annoying when they just took over £100 from me for its last service. The requisite "second opinion" came back terminal also.

Not one to give up easily, my favourite glue guys at V-Tech SMT Ltd (don't ask how I know such things) gave me the number for the Technical Support Group at Loctite. Half way through describing my situation, the very, very knowledgeable man stated Loctitie 9461 was the required 2 part epoxy, which incidentally they supply on an OEM basis to various cycle manufacturers for the bonding of carbon fibre and aluminium in the manufacture of forks. Bicycle forks, that is; nothing to do with the Ferrari canteen. What a result! I am now in the preparatory stages of extremely advanced DIY!!


This does not bode well for Saturday's Sprint Triathlon, the first Sprint Triathlon of the year. If the Loctite 9461 does not perform, The Editor is guaranteed a win providing he can avoid the dreaded DNS or DNF acronyms. I have to additionally contend with DOA , DIY, A&E and WTF. There is an outside chance of a meeting with the DEA if I get any performance boost from smelling the 9461. It really doesn't matter how much training I've done, or how developed my quads are, if I'm reduced to chasing his Team Banana [edit] 531 with my mountain bike.

Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).