Hondo6

Posting this here for input. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Ran across a Bianchi Eros frameset for sale online. It appears to be my size, and I might be able to get it for a decent price. Not sure about the year, but it has shifter bosses and a headbadge vice decal.

Unfortunately, the frame has a small "dimple" dent near the water bottle holder. If it's not structurally sound, I obviously don't want it.

From photos, the dimple appears to be oval and not much bigger than a water battle bolt - maybe 10mm or so (long axis) by 7-8mm wide, and maybe 2-3mm deep. There seems to be some evidence of a crease at the bottom of the dent.

Photos of the dent aren't the best, and were sent to me directly by the seller. Before I post them here, I need to get the sender's permission to show them to others - might not be legally required, but I'd feel better doing that. And it's currently over 3,000 mi away by road, so seeing it and taking photos myself isn't feasible.

Any thoughts/personal experience with similar dents? Will post photos later if I can get permission from taker.

shelbyfv

This one? https://www.ebay.com/itm/12488288474...EAAOSwc1ZhMY-h

Hondo6

Yep. Photos posted don't really show the dent - in those photos, it's barely visible on the downtube between the "h" and "i" in the Bianchi decal if you know where to look. Photos sent privately to me show it much more clearly. I'm guessing on the size (updated in OP) based on comparison with the size of the water bottle bolt in the photos sent to me.

Still awaiting seller permission to show/share photos.

Hondo6

OK, got permission to share photos. Let's see if I can figure out how to post them.



First photo received. Dent is above water bottle bolt, between "h" and "i",

Second photo,

Seems to have worked. Not the best photos, but they show the dent - as well as some not-so-great touch-up work. But the touch-up is cosmetic, and I'm more worried about the frame's structural integrity at this point.

Moe Zhoost

The dent is not likely to be a structural problem; however since it is more of a creased dimple, it is more worrisome than a more blunt one. Did the seller give you any hints about how it happened? For $240 with shipping, I'd pass on it. Make an offer of $100 and see what happens.

Good luck,

DorkDisk

If I put that dent there, I’d continue to ride it. I would not pay money for it or waste time building it up.

icemilkcoffee 

The Bianchi Eros is relatively common and not worth $200. I certainly would not buy one that is pre-dented. Keep looking.

squirtdad

FWIW the sales area of classic and vintage can be a great source.....

shelbyfv

Has anyone mentioned the butt ugly unicrown fork? Ugh....

ThermionicScott 

I think that was always a feature of the Eros model. My '91 and '93 both have it -- probably saved money on what was an entry-level model.

Koyote

I would skip this seller just because those photos suck.

Pantah

That's a lot of money for just a frame. The dent, strictly speaking, wouldn't worry me too greatly, I would ride it. I picked up an older Cannondale frame for almost free which had been walloped good and hard on the top tube as well as the downtube. Far worse than that, paused to think about it before building it up but a friend wanted it, so we built it and 3,000 hard miles later, still no signs of cracks or additional fatigue.

Don't let the dent stop you, let the high price have you look elsewhere.

Hondo6

Thanks to all who responded. Input is greatly appreciated.

Moe Zhoost

I took a lugged Eros frame as partial payment for another frame I was selling. I was never a big fan of the unicrown forks but after a repaint and build up, I actually kinda like it. The fork has a gentle bend in it and I think that eases the clunky look a lot I do have another fork to replace it with (if I ever get around to painting it).

2old

As above, don't expect this to be a functional problem, but would pass.