Cracked headtube on Aluminum Frame?
07-31-21, 06:49 PM
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Cracked headtube on Aluminum Frame?
Almost bought a current aluminum frame bike that has cracks in the head tube coming from top and bottom of the tube on the same side.
Question one, is it repairable?
Question two, what could have caused this? There doesn't appear to any other damage to the bike, but the fork "could" have been replaced.
Not planning on buying the bike but the (second) owner is a friend .
Question one, is it repairable?
Question two, what could have caused this? There doesn't appear to any other damage to the bike, but the fork "could" have been replaced.
Not planning on buying the bike but the (second) owner is a friend .
07-31-21, 11:29 PM
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Almost bought a current aluminum frame bike that has cracks in the head tube
08-01-21, 03:27 PM
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The crack(s) is probably caused by improper bearing cup and/or cone insertion. If there are cracks, welding can be a problem solver but the process for alloy is complicated, costly and lacking in eye appeal. I agree with other's comments. Pass on the bike or use it for display. Riding it could spell disaster in the form of a crash should the assembly fail completely.
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08-02-21, 12:26 PM
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Likely, it missed the head tube reaming operation before the lower headset cup and upper headset cone race were pressed into place. As noted, it's repairable but probably not economically feasible.
