Is this dented aluminum frame safe?
02-07-21, 08:49 AM
#26
Randomhead
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It's someone else's problem right now. I would keep it that way unless it's so cheap you can replace the frame.
That's unlikely to be the case.
That dent is sharp enough that it's liable to crack. And it might not take long.
There is nothing you can do about it. Pulling out the dent will just make it more likely to crack.
That's unlikely to be the case.
That dent is sharp enough that it's liable to crack. And it might not take long.
There is nothing you can do about it. Pulling out the dent will just make it more likely to crack.
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02-07-21, 06:38 PM
#28
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Such a lot of BS in these responses. Top tube dents like this one are cosmetic. I challenge anyone to find a photo of a frame, aluminum or steel, that has failed as a result of a top tube dent. It will last until you don't want to ride it anymore. No, there is no fix, other than Bondo, and then you would have to paint the frame. Paintless dent repair is a non-starter--it's just not for this application. No one is going to replace a tube in a frame like this, especially to fix a cosmetic issue.
The real problem is that no one loves a dented frame except the seller, and that love turns to relief as soon as he's got the cash in his hand. Every time you look down at the dent you'll notice it and wish it wasn't there. When it comes time to sell it, you'll be facing the same problem--that no one loves a bike with a dented frame.
As noted in some of the few useful replies you've received, the value is in the parts. Ask yourself "Do I like this bike enough to ride it a while and look around for another frame to use as a transplant? Do I have the skills and tools to do the work myself? Is the price cheap enough to make this all worthwhile?" If the answer to any of these questions is "no" then keep looking for another bike. The real value in that dent is it makes the bike less attractive to thieves, but they can still go after your parts, or kick the bike out of spite. On the other hand, if you can get the bike dirt cheap, and it is otherwise what you want in terms of style and fit, you can wrap some tape around the dent like a fixie of a decade ago, and think of yourself as just being perpetually cool.
The real problem is that no one loves a dented frame except the seller, and that love turns to relief as soon as he's got the cash in his hand. Every time you look down at the dent you'll notice it and wish it wasn't there. When it comes time to sell it, you'll be facing the same problem--that no one loves a bike with a dented frame.
As noted in some of the few useful replies you've received, the value is in the parts. Ask yourself "Do I like this bike enough to ride it a while and look around for another frame to use as a transplant? Do I have the skills and tools to do the work myself? Is the price cheap enough to make this all worthwhile?" If the answer to any of these questions is "no" then keep looking for another bike. The real value in that dent is it makes the bike less attractive to thieves, but they can still go after your parts, or kick the bike out of spite. On the other hand, if you can get the bike dirt cheap, and it is otherwise what you want in terms of style and fit, you can wrap some tape around the dent like a fixie of a decade ago, and think of yourself as just being perpetually cool.
Last edited by sbarner; 02-07-21 at 06:42 PM.
02-08-21, 05:39 PM
#29
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Dented frame
Such a lot of BS in these responses. Top tube dents like this one are cosmetic. I challenge anyone to find a photo of a frame, aluminum or steel, that has failed as a result of a top tube dent. It will last until you don't want to ride it anymore. No, there is no fix, other than Bondo, and then you would have to paint the frame. Paintless dent repair is a non-starter--it's just not for this application. No one is going to replace a tube in a frame like this, especially to fix a cosmetic issue.
The real problem is that no one loves a dented frame except the seller, and that love turns to relief as soon as he's got the cash in his hand. Every time you look down at the dent you'll notice it and wish it wasn't there. When it comes time to sell it, you'll be facing the same problem--that no one loves a bike with a dented frame.
As noted in some of the few useful replies you've received, the value is in the parts. Ask yourself "Do I like this bike enough to ride it a while and look around for another frame to use as a transplant? Do I have the skills and tools to do the work myself? Is the price cheap enough to make this all worthwhile?" If the answer to any of these questions is "no" then keep looking for another bike. The real value in that dent is it makes the bike less attractive to thieves, but they can still go after your parts, or kick the bike out of spite. On the other hand, if you can get the bike dirt cheap, and it is otherwise what you want in terms of style and fit, you can wrap some tape around the dent like a fixie of a decade ago, and think of yourself as just being perpetually cool.
The real problem is that no one loves a dented frame except the seller, and that love turns to relief as soon as he's got the cash in his hand. Every time you look down at the dent you'll notice it and wish it wasn't there. When it comes time to sell it, you'll be facing the same problem--that no one loves a bike with a dented frame.
As noted in some of the few useful replies you've received, the value is in the parts. Ask yourself "Do I like this bike enough to ride it a while and look around for another frame to use as a transplant? Do I have the skills and tools to do the work myself? Is the price cheap enough to make this all worthwhile?" If the answer to any of these questions is "no" then keep looking for another bike. The real value in that dent is it makes the bike less attractive to thieves, but they can still go after your parts, or kick the bike out of spite. On the other hand, if you can get the bike dirt cheap, and it is otherwise what you want in terms of style and fit, you can wrap some tape around the dent like a fixie of a decade ago, and think of yourself as just being perpetually cool.
02-08-21, 05:49 PM
#30
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Such a lot of BS in these responses. Top tube dents like this one are cosmetic. I challenge anyone to find a photo of a frame, aluminum or steel, that has failed as a result of a top tube dent. It will last until you don't want to ride it anymore. No, there is no fix, other than Bondo, and then you would have to paint the frame. Paintless dent repair is a non-starter--it's just not for this application. No one is going to replace a tube in a frame like this, especially to fix a cosmetic issue.
The real problem is that no one loves a dented frame except the seller, and that love turns to relief as soon as he's got the cash in his hand. Every time you look down at the dent you'll notice it and wish it wasn't there. When it comes time to sell it, you'll be facing the same problem--that no one loves a bike with a dented frame.
As noted in some of the few useful replies you've received, the value is in the parts. Ask yourself "Do I like this bike enough to ride it a while and look around for another frame to use as a transplant? Do I have the skills and tools to do the work myself? Is the price cheap enough to make this all worthwhile?" If the answer to any of these questions is "no" then keep looking for another bike. The real value in that dent is it makes the bike less attractive to thieves, but they can still go after your parts, or kick the bike out of spite. On the other hand, if you can get the bike dirt cheap, and it is otherwise what you want in terms of style and fit, you can wrap some tape around the dent like a fixie of a decade ago, and think of yourself as just being perpetually cool.
The real problem is that no one loves a dented frame except the seller, and that love turns to relief as soon as he's got the cash in his hand. Every time you look down at the dent you'll notice it and wish it wasn't there. When it comes time to sell it, you'll be facing the same problem--that no one loves a bike with a dented frame.
As noted in some of the few useful replies you've received, the value is in the parts. Ask yourself "Do I like this bike enough to ride it a while and look around for another frame to use as a transplant? Do I have the skills and tools to do the work myself? Is the price cheap enough to make this all worthwhile?" If the answer to any of these questions is "no" then keep looking for another bike. The real value in that dent is it makes the bike less attractive to thieves, but they can still go after your parts, or kick the bike out of spite. On the other hand, if you can get the bike dirt cheap, and it is otherwise what you want in terms of style and fit, you can wrap some tape around the dent like a fixie of a decade ago, and think of yourself as just being perpetually cool.
02-08-21, 07:14 PM
#31
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I definitely would not buy that frame. The odds are that nothing will happen, but the thought of the frame cracking or bending would always be in the back of my mind while descending big hills. For me, it wouldn't be worth it at any price, just to have the peace of mind. As someone else said, it's not that hard to find cheap used aluminum frames without big dents in them.
02-08-21, 09:37 PM
#32
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I definitely would not buy that frame. The odds are that nothing will happen, but the thought of the frame cracking or bending would always be in the back of my mind while descending big hills. For me, it wouldn't be worth it at any price, just to have the peace of mind. As someone else said, it's not that hard to find cheap used aluminum frames without big dents in them.
Aluminum never gets stress risers and never has issues.
