My chainstay failed
08-07-09, 12:05 AM
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My chainstay failed
I have a 1983 Raleigh Technium (steel stays), and I broke the drive-side chainstay today. My guads are getting big! Seriously, though, is this type of failure common? If I ever do have enough money to buy a half-decent bike, is this just going to happen again, and should I just keep buying bikes out of the store's garbage bin? This one only lasted me a year and maybe a couple thousand miles. The roads in and around Chicago, as well as many of the trails, are in pitiful condition, which may have something to do with it. Also, is there any weay, besides going slower, to reduce stress on the frame?
Although the bike is old, judging from the perfect condition the original paint was in and the minimal wear on other parts, I think it mostly hung out in someone's garage. I'll check for rust in the morning, when my anger subsides a bit. I was paranoid enough about frame failures before I was stranded on mile 86 of an out-and-back century (better than mile 50, I guess).
Although the bike is old, judging from the perfect condition the original paint was in and the minimal wear on other parts, I think it mostly hung out in someone's garage. I'll check for rust in the morning, when my anger subsides a bit. I was paranoid enough about frame failures before I was stranded on mile 86 of an out-and-back century (better than mile 50, I guess).
Last edited by tadawdy; 08-07-09 at 12:11 AM.
08-07-09, 01:01 AM
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Was the frame treated for rust?
Could have rusted on the inside causing it to snap.
If it's not too bad, go have a local framebuilder look at it. You can probably get it fixed up for not too much.
Could have rusted on the inside causing it to snap.
If it's not too bad, go have a local framebuilder look at it. You can probably get it fixed up for not too much.
08-07-09, 08:26 AM
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Its probably not worth spending much on repairing an old Technium.
Bike frames do break. You can either get a cheap one that you can afford to replace when it breaks, or spend more for a frame with a warranty from a reputable company that will still be around in 3-5 years when you need it.
Bike frames do break. You can either get a cheap one that you can afford to replace when it breaks, or spend more for a frame with a warranty from a reputable company that will still be around in 3-5 years when you need it.
08-07-09, 09:05 AM
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Besides what ridethecliche said, if the chainstay broke near the BB, it could have been from sweat dripping down on it. Happened to an old steel bike I had (in my case it was the seat tube). If you wind up getting another steel frame, rinse it (gently) with a hose after riding.
08-07-09, 09:26 AM
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Even with crappy roads, most modern frames will last quite a while if taken care of properly, and most steel frames can be repaired fairly easily if something like this happens again. If you are really worried about durability, maybe look at some of the Clydesdale type frames designed for heavier riders.
08-07-09, 10:47 PM
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25yr old Raleigh Technium is not a very reliable bike. Get a relatively modern entry level Trek and save.
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08-07-09, 10:49 PM
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agreed on the new bike, and that's probably happening tomorrow! I'm going to take the old one in and see what someone can do for cheap. It may be good enough for a beater. Otherwise, I may just look for an old frame i can swap components to.
08-08-09, 01:28 AM
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I have a 1983 Raleigh Technium (steel stays), and I broke the drive-side chainstay today. My guads are getting big! Seriously, though, is this type of failure common? If I ever do have enough money to buy a half-decent bike, is this just going to happen again, and should I just keep buying bikes out of the store's garbage bin? This one only lasted me a year and maybe a couple thousand miles. The roads in and around Chicago, as well as many of the trails, are in pitiful condition, which may have something to do with it. Also, is there any weay, besides going slower, to reduce stress on the frame?
Although the bike is old, judging from the perfect condition the original paint was in and the minimal wear on other parts, I think it mostly hung out in someone's garage. I'll check for rust in the morning, when my anger subsides a bit. I was paranoid enough about frame failures before I was stranded on mile 86 of an out-and-back century (better than mile 50, I guess).
Although the bike is old, judging from the perfect condition the original paint was in and the minimal wear on other parts, I think it mostly hung out in someone's garage. I'll check for rust in the morning, when my anger subsides a bit. I was paranoid enough about frame failures before I was stranded on mile 86 of an out-and-back century (better than mile 50, I guess).
....and?
