Is this cracked titanium frame safe to ride?
#76
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As previously stated, I purchased a titanium frame with a minor dent for dirt cheap 5 years ago. It's been lovely and is my favorite bike. Every member here who gave an opinion advised against purchasing it. It's similar to when I tell people I drive old cars to avoid car payments and they start clucking about safety standards. We've become a society of pampered wusses.
Good luck. Hope you have dental insurance.
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#77
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Because someone on an online forum bought one that was cracked? That sounds dumb.
I have 3 Titanium bikes and zero cracks or issues and know many other folks with lovely titanium bikes also with no issues or cracks. I have personally seen a whole bunch of aluminum frames that are cracked but it doesn't stop me from considering aluminum (the ride quality does) same thing with carbon. Sometimes things crack or have issues but not really a reason to avoid something unless it is really super widespread across many different brands.
I have 3 Titanium bikes and zero cracks or issues and know many other folks with lovely titanium bikes also with no issues or cracks. I have personally seen a whole bunch of aluminum frames that are cracked but it doesn't stop me from considering aluminum (the ride quality does) same thing with carbon. Sometimes things crack or have issues but not really a reason to avoid something unless it is really super widespread across many different brands.
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So he can justify spending money on a bike which is essentially nothing more than a parts bike.
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Yeah, that's something which, if it's going to happen that way, you don't need to help along especially when you know you're increasing your chances. The amount of adrenaline rush you'd get from your head tube coming apart on a 35 MPH descent would not be worth it.
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#82
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Because someone on an online forum bought one that was cracked? That sounds dumb.
I have 3 Titanium bikes and zero cracks or issues and know many other folks with lovely titanium bikes also with no issues or cracks. I have personally seen a whole bunch of aluminum frames that are cracked but it doesn't stop me from considering aluminum (the ride quality does) same thing with carbon. Sometimes things crack or have issues but not really a reason to avoid something unless it is really super widespread across many different brands.
I have 3 Titanium bikes and zero cracks or issues and know many other folks with lovely titanium bikes also with no issues or cracks. I have personally seen a whole bunch of aluminum frames that are cracked but it doesn't stop me from considering aluminum (the ride quality does) same thing with carbon. Sometimes things crack or have issues but not really a reason to avoid something unless it is really super widespread across many different brands.
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#83
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Regarding, going for broke, with all the money you are saving we highly doubt that.
#84
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That never happens.
Ever.
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Strange thread.. The OP asked for opinions and basically got one other person to agree with him that the bike is fine. Then they both went on to disparage anyone with a different opinion who thinks it's not safe to ride...
Could the bike be fine? Sure. Could it suffer a catastrophic failure at a very inopportune time? You bet! Is it worth riding it and risking a serious crash, brain damage or death? Nope..
But hey, I guess that's why they have the Darwin Awards..
Could the bike be fine? Sure. Could it suffer a catastrophic failure at a very inopportune time? You bet! Is it worth riding it and risking a serious crash, brain damage or death? Nope..
But hey, I guess that's why they have the Darwin Awards..
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Who agreed with him that the bike was fine? Can you point out that post?
#87
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#88
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Yeah, that's something which, if it's going to happen that way, you don't need to help along....
Besides, how can one enjoy a ride unless one is confident in one's equipment? And how can one be confident in one's equipment when the seller and a bunch of unknowns on the 'net are the only ones who are providing opinions - and the 'net experts haven't even seen the actual frame?
#89
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#92
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He, and the OP have been questioning anyone and everyone who said the bike is not safe..
Meh, it's the Internet and it's loaded with weirdos.. Too bad I can see his posts when someone else quote him though..
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The lack of logic and reading comprehension in this thread is staggering! But expected at this point.
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If you really want to take the effort, just go back a couple pages - you'll find his posts. And yes, while his posts were lacking many things - logic and comprehension among them, as you say - it's unfair to characterize the entire thread that way; it was really only the OP and this one other dude that weren't making any sense.
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If you really want to take the effort, just go back a couple pages - you'll find his posts. And yes, while his posts were lacking many things - logic and comprehension among them, as you say - it's unfair to characterize the entire thread that was; it was really only the OP and this one other dude that weren't making any sense.
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#98
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My advice would be to just let it go - this guy's clearly a couple cans short of a 6-pack and isn't worth obsessing over. If you really want to track him down to lambast him, I can't stop you, but I'm done. Best wishes, friend.
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#100
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What is most likely is that if you do nothing, the crack will slowly grow.
For complete failure to happen, you'd almost need two cracks and lose the front half of the headtube, or have it grow into either the toptube or downtube (or both).
You could probably ride it a bit.... perhaps gently as a commuter bike.
As mentioned above, the headset could get loose, or even the fork a bit wobbly. Not the best, but not necessarily sending you flying.
As long as it doesn't crack in a manner that the steertube separates from the frame, you'll probably be safe enough.
I think titanium crack propagation is slower than aluminum, but I'm not sure how fast.
As mentioned, Lynskey might do a repair.
TiCycles in Portland can also do Titanium repair. You could at least contact them for a second opinion.
I don't know if the choice would be to simply weld up the crack. Perhaps add a larger titanium collar. Or to pull the entire headtube off and replace.