Slowridr

Just received a new frame. Found a few little dings on inspection. Should I be concerned? Any safety concerns?

The first 2 pics are on the seat tube. 2 very small dings or dents. Don't know if you would call them dents.

The 3 pic is of the seatstays. It's not a dent but it's a little round bubble. If you run your finger along it it comes up a bit at the spot.

A little disappointed as it's a new frame. I did get a deal on it. Is this expected with the cheaper steel frames?

mstateglfr 

I wouldnt be concerned about safety.
I would be concerned that I was given a frame that isnt up to my expected standards.

I would ask for a refund and for them to cover the cost of shipping.

FiftySix

Soma Smoothie? What kind of deal? Was it a "blem" sale?

Even if it wasn't, I'd build the bike and ride it. More dings and scratches will be coming that will make you forget about those little blems.

badger1

What is the frame (mfg/model), and from whom did you purchase it, and how was it 'advertised'?

All of these things matter. You (op) mention that you did 'get a deal'. Well, a 'deal' can be conditioned by many qualifications: as is; mfg's 'seconds'; and so on.

Without context, it's genuinely difficult for anyone on here to comment meaningfully in response to your questions.

Wileyrat

Unless it's from something like Bike Island, where you know it has "stated" issues, I'd expect a new unblemished frame, and it would go back.

As far as your "deal" goes, I don't buy bikes unless they're a very good deal, and I expect a new unblemished product.

Slowridr

Yes it's a soma smoothie.

Purchased brand new from the manufacturer. I got a deal because I think it was one of the last ones in black (maybe 2017 or 2018 model). It was almost half price but indicated brand new. Nothing stated about damaged

Might be a pain to return as I'm in Canada but I'll do what I have to do.

Just wanted some opinions on what to do and if it's safe.

Thanks

FiftySix

Personally, those little blemishes would bother me the first day, or maybe up to the point the bike was assembled and I haven't ridden it yet. One paint marring slip of a tool during assembly would make me forget about those blemishes pretty quickly, that's for sure.

Also, knowing what little paint chips happen in actually riding a bike, I'd not worry about it once I started putting some wear on the tires. But that's just me.

delbiker1 

I don't know if I would have even seen those on initial inspection. For 1/2 price on that frame I would probably figure I would not do any better. However, my opinion really does not matter. It is your frame, money and time. Do what you think is best and live with your choice.

Slowridr

I'm probably gonna regret this after but I've emailed them asking for a return. Shipping is gonna be expensive and I think I'm right that they should pay the shipping also.

Kinda a headache because now I'm also gonna have to try to get a refund on the taxes but the marks are bothering me

CliffordK

So you are returning a half-price frame for the ability to purchase a full-price frame?

I certainly would be frustrated by those marks, at least the first one that seems visible. The other two appear to be mighty small.

Nonetheless, I'd be building the bike to ride, use, lock up, and perhaps occasionally drop. I know, I'm hard on the bikes, but that is part of life.

Nessism

Return maybe, but if they offer a reasonable kick back that wouldn't be unreasonable.

Slowridr

Yeah the first and third one bother me. The third one can't see very well but it's a small bulge. Don't know if it's from manufacturing.

Steel doesn't usually catastrophicly fail I hear. I don't have much experience with steel. Wanted to try our a road frame. Not a good start lol

tim24k

PLUS ONE
Half price, I also would keep the frame and build it. I’d put some reflective tape over the blemishes and on the opposite side for geometry for it to match, so you don’t have to be reminded every time you ride it about the toads that didn’t tell you about them before you bought the frame. Then no worries, ride it and enjoy your new bike.

shelbyfv

I'd think about what else I could get for that price before I sent it back. Might save yourself some aggravation.

tgenec86

?? Those photo's are magnified close-up's, and it's a hand-built steel frame. Your're going to get dings and paint chips bigger than that the first week you ride it. These three blemishes are insignificant and the likelihood of them impacting the integrity of the frame are near zero. I expect good quality welds, nice finish, and a great road feel from steel bikes. Asking for total perfection at half price? Not the best strategy - my feelings only.

Koyote

I would probably ask Soma for a partial refund, perhaps in the form of store credit (which reduces the cost for them), assuming that you are interested in buying any parts from them.

FWIW, I got a new custom bike this year, and when the frame arrived at my dealer, it had a paint flaw like the one in your second pic (very small, in other words - a bit larger than a pinhead). Since the bike was already behind schedule and it was riding season, the shop built it up and offered to pay for a complete frame repaint in the winter; the frame is currently on its way back to the builder.

Flip Flop Rider

have not read responses

would not worry about it, and would ride the bike

you could send the pics in to Soma or the dealer just as an fyi but don't expect any action. Then if you get anything it's a bonus. I doubt I would look over the frame as closely as you have but that's me, others will

CliffordK

Or leave as-is, to remind yourself that you're riding a bike that looks like a thousand bucks... but wasn't.

Trakhak

To avoid the costs of shipping the frame back (if it comes to that), you can drop it off at your dealer for the Soma sales rep to collect.

Phil_gretz

...and build up the bike. Those blemishes are insignificant. Really.

Why put everyone involved through the pain of refunding, shipping, restocking, waiting, paying more for the next frame...and for what?

jadocs

This ^^^

It's a half price frame, the last one in the color you want. I would just build it up because it's going to cost you more to purchase a full priced frame and it's not the one you originally wanted to begin with. The best COA if it bothers you is to ask for a credit.

TiHabanero

Please, please tell me you are OCD and compulsive to help me understand the problem. The frame is half price. Expecting perfection at half the cost?

kcblair

For what it's worth, black paint is real easy to touchup. You won't even notice . Enjoy KB.

mstateglfr 

The half price isnt because its a cast-off frame, its because its last year's frame. There absolutely should be an expectation that the frame is equal to every frame that was sold at full price. Just because its now half the cost doesnt mean standards should suddenly be lowered.

Its half the price only because the company decided to discount the frame to push out inventory. This exact frame was full priced at one time. Its not like quality should be worse now that the frame is priced to move. It sat on the shelf as a full priced frame and sat there as a half priced frame. The quality standards shouldnt be different. As for it being a handbuilt steel frame- that doesnt excuse the dent and bulge. That stuff is avoidable in ALL types of frame- steel, aluminum, titatnium, and carbon.

That last question of yours is absurd. Products that are discounted to move inventory should still be of the same quality as when that exact product was full priced. If the frame is sold at a discount due to blemishes or chips, then sure the quality is less because that is the reason for it being discounted. If I buy a car at the end of the season for a discount when new models are hitting the lot, I expect the car to operate just as well as if I had bought it 2 months prior before the upcoming year's models arrived. Same goes for anything else- golf clubs, clothes, bikes, cell phones, etc etc.
Ripple in the frame and a dent just isnt OK if it isnt disclosed ahead of time.
Had the OP purchased the frame at full price the day before it went on sale, you really would take issue with the ripple and dent, but if they purchased it the day it went on sale, you would then say 'what do you expect for half price- perfection'? That seems to be your position and if it is, it makes no sense.

john m flores 

It they have other frames that a half-price but in better condition, I'd try to get one. But if they don't have any more half-off frames, I'd consider keeping it.