Sayre Kulp 

On my ride today I noticed that there is a crack in my frame. It's on the seat tube where the top tube joins it, but it is NOT the weld that is cracked. Is there anything that can be done, or is this frame history?

Myosmith

Photos? Make, model, material?

chefisaac

Your frame should have a life time warranty. No?

Sayre Kulp 

Bought it used, so I highly doubt it.

Sayre Kulp 

RANS, Zenetik, Aluminum, Photo Coming Soon

Sayre Kulp 

mprelaw

Depends on the manufacturer. Some aluminum frames are only warrantied for 5 years.

CraigB

Ouch! This is your CF bike, right? (CF=crank forward)

sstorkel

The frame is history, unfortunately. Even if you could find someone willing to repair it, which would be difficult, the repair probably isn't worth the expense.

I'd contact the manufacturer and see if they'll replace the frame under warranty. If not, you might ask if they have a "crash replacement" policy that would allow you to buy a new frame at a discounted price.

Mark Stone

Sorry - it's history.

goldfinch

The warranty probably only applies to the original owner.

Sorry about your bike Sayre.

bassjones

That's done. Do you know the original owner? They might be able to get the warranty replacement.

Bent Bill

I dont understand why everyone is saying that frame is toast?
Any decent welding shop should be able to weld that easily.

howsteepisit

I am thinking its toast, but a creative welder may be able to gusset it up and make it work, but it will be butt-ugly.

Additional That is why I dislike the current sloping top tube designs. I feel like you end up with a long lever arm putting too much force on the welded junction of the seat cluster. Rant off now.

Sayre Kulp 

Yep.

Sayre Kulp 

That was my impression when I noticed the crack.

Rowan

+1... does the bottom of the seat post extend beyond the junction of the top tube?

The trouble with welding repair will be the expense of having to use a heat sink to prevent distortion of the seat tube, and even then the interior of the tube likely will need refinishing with a hone.

Sayre Kulp 

Fortunately, I do. And he's relatively local to me too. I bought the bike when I was down here visiting a while back. I'm reaching out to him because the CEO of the company tells me the original owner has a lifetime warranty. I'm not sure how that would work though. Or even if it could work.

Sayre Kulp 

This is what she looks like. The crack is at that spot in front of the seat post at the top of the top tube.

Homeyba

I had a titanium frame break like that. It was toast. The problem with your aluminum bike is that the whole area is probably work hardened and if you weld it, it's liable to break again. Your best bet is to take it to a professional and see what they think. Or, maybe it's time for that new BMC TMR01 Time Machine you've always wanted!

Sayre Kulp 

Look at the frame geometry on the machine I chose and ask yourself if you seriously see me on a Time Machine.

jsigone

looks likes a weak point in a design. If fixed, have them add a gusset for extra strength on that fulcrum point.

also find a seat post that goes past that cross junction as well if that one isn't long enough.

bassjones

Simple, go to him and ask him to make the claim as the original owner. Once the new frame is here, you get the bike back...

howsteepisit

Somehow getting the original owner who no longer owns the bike to claim that he/she indeed owns the bike to get the frame replaced under a warrantee that is not longer in effect as the bike was sold seems like fraud to me.

bassjones

Sell it back to him...., then the original owner owns it again. Then, when it's fixed, buy it back.