Rust under seat stays - Should I be concerned?
10-06-22, 05:48 PM
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Rust under seat stays - Should I be concerned?
Older bike I got for free. Was thinking of turning it into a cheap winter commuter, until I saw what is attached in photo. Should I be concerned - rest of bike appears rust-free.
10-06-22, 06:05 PM
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...are those dark areas shadows or gaps between the stays and the frame tubing ?
...are those dark areas shadows or gaps between the stays and the frame tubing ?
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10-06-22, 06:28 PM
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Looks like. There’s a giant gas bubble near the bottom of the tube and it looks like what little weld there is on the tubes is starting to separate. I’d be far more concerned about that than a little rust.
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10-06-22, 09:44 PM
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A seatstay separation occurred on one of my frames, a Charles Roberts that I had straightened after being broadsided by a car. Around three years after the accident, the stay that had been hit started to separate from the seat lug. The vibration of the cracked joint alerted me to the problem. I was able to see the crack forming. In fact, it may have separated completely, held in place only by the stay on the other side and the brake bridge that joined them. I retired the frame until I could have both stays replaced.
I'm saying this because my failure wasn't sudden and it wasn't catastrophic. There were warning signs. But looking at your photo, I'm surprised you're not getting them already. There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of weld left.
I'm saying this because my failure wasn't sudden and it wasn't catastrophic. There were warning signs. But looking at your photo, I'm surprised you're not getting them already. There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of weld left.
Last edited by oldbobcat; 10-06-22 at 09:47 PM.
10-07-22, 12:03 AM
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Rust is like cancer. But, like cancer, the prognosis can be very bad, with little or no time left, ro something that can be managed with a good likelihood of many good years ahead.
So of course you should be concerned. However you need to temper that concern based on the specifics, and take action to slow it's progress.
FWIW- think about consequences. Rust at the top of fork blades or frame head lugs, implies a much higher risk or serious consequences than rust at seat or chainstays.
So of course you should be concerned. However you need to temper that concern based on the specifics, and take action to slow it's progress.
FWIW- think about consequences. Rust at the top of fork blades or frame head lugs, implies a much higher risk or serious consequences than rust at seat or chainstays.
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10-07-22, 11:48 AM
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That is not even welded under there. It didn't crack and fall off either, because I can see where the welds end on ether side of the unwelded section. I know, from experience, that welding that part of the joint is not easy. It's not a super high stress area, so it looks like the manufacturer just decided that welding most of the way around was good enough.
10-07-22, 04:24 PM
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I've decided to poach the tires/tubes/crank/chain/gears/brakes and send the rest to the metal recycle centre, at CD$0.08/pound! Thanks!!
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10-07-22, 08:24 PM
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10-08-22, 05:15 AM
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That is not even welded under there. It didn't crack and fall off either, because I can see where the welds end on ether side of the unwelded section. I know, from experience, that welding that part of the joint is not easy. It's not a super high stress area, so it looks like the manufacturer just decided that welding most of the way around was good enough.
10-08-22, 06:52 AM
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In regards to welding it, I wouldn't have any issue with blasting it to remove the paint and rust and then finishing out those welds. No doubt that there will be rust inside the stays, but it shouldn't be a problem unless you melt some of that into the puddle.
