How serious is my top tube damage?
#1
Spin Meister
Thread Starter
How serious is my top tube damage?
OK - the pics:
The dark area in the first photo the lens of my camera, which shows the shape of the dent in the polished aluminum. Note the wavy lines that bend around the edges of the dent.
The second photo shows the little lines - cracks? - that show above the dent. And you can see the general shape of the dent below the lines.
The dark area in the first photo the lens of my camera, which shows the shape of the dent in the polished aluminum. Note the wavy lines that bend around the edges of the dent.
The second photo shows the little lines - cracks? - that show above the dent. And you can see the general shape of the dent below the lines.
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This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
Last edited by icyclist; 07-03-11 at 09:24 PM. Reason: pics added
#2
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Not a metallurgy expert, but when a shop in my area damaged my boss's aluminum bike (but wouldn't admit it), they did say ANY dent in aluminum is a total basically. They used the example of a soda can: try crushing an empty one with no dents and its rally hard, but poke the side a little and it'll fold right up. Now, does this relate directly to bike frames? I have NO idea... I'd be nervous though.
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I would be very concerned. (we need a hand wringing emoticon)
How about some pictures?
How about some pictures?
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Did you ship it with insurance? If so, file a claim with the shipping company. It's probably the more likely culprit anyways, bikes get damaged in transit all the time.
#7
Spin Meister
Thread Starter
OK - the pics:
The dark area in the first photo the lens of my camera, which shows the shape of the dent in the polished aluminum. Note the straight lines that bend around the edges of the dent.
The second photo shows the little lines - cracks? - that show above the dent. And you can see the general shape of the dent below the lines.
The dark area in the first photo the lens of my camera, which shows the shape of the dent in the polished aluminum. Note the straight lines that bend around the edges of the dent.
The second photo shows the little lines - cracks? - that show above the dent. And you can see the general shape of the dent below the lines.
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This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
Last edited by icyclist; 07-03-11 at 09:24 PM.
#9
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The first photo to me looks ok. It looks like a little ding. second photo does look like a crack, which I think means failure.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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The dent is no big deal. Back when Cannondales were the standard "disposable" track bike, nearly all of them had top tube dents.
The crack is essentially fatal, IMO. It could maybe be welded or patched, but unless the frame is very expensive...
The crack is essentially fatal, IMO. It could maybe be welded or patched, but unless the frame is very expensive...