Bicycle Mechanics - Busted Frame - Please help me

Ok. Im new here. I started biking and i love it. It great. On the 96th mile that i logged i had a fairly horific crash. Im ok. My bike,

A Jamis Venture Sport http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/06_ventura_sport.html

has a real good sized quarter inch dent right in the center of the frame. It is also bent up a good half inch. I have been told by friends this is now not safe to ride.

I went to the bike shop and they say they can't get this frame but they can get an "upgraded" model. Which will cost close to $500. Quite frankly i dont wan't a better frame. Nor can i afford it.

Is it possible to buy a nice an all alluminum frame for under $450? Preferably a good brand like GT, Cannondal, Jamis or Trek. Where would i buy it? Will it be used?

I have a friend who said he can install it for me.

And do i have to buy a new fork as well?

Odly enough everything else survived including the fork.

Please guy, any feedback would be greatly apprciated.

P.S And i need a 60 or 61 inch frame. And more carbon is GOOOOD!

Can u guys lead me to some frames that would work?

Please guys, any feedback would be greatly apprciated.

Ok. Im new here. I started biking and i love it. It great. On the 96th mile that i logged i had a fairly horific crash. Im ok. My bike,

A Jamis Venture Sport http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/06_ventura_sport.html

has a real good sized quarter inch dent right in the center of the frame. It is also bent up a good half inch. I have been told by friends this is now not safe to ride.

I went to the bike shop and they say they can't get this frame but they can get an "upgraded" model. Which will cost close to $500. Quite frankly i dont wan't a better frame. Nor can i afford it.

Is it possible to buy a nice an all alluminum frame for under $450? Preferably a good brand like GT, Cannondal, Jamis or Trek. Where would i buy it? Will it be used?

I have a friend who said he can install it for me.

And do i have to buy a new fork as well?

Odly enough everything else survived including the fork.

Please guy, any feedback would be greatly apprciated.

P.S And i need a 60 or 61 inch frame. And more carbon is GOOOOD!

Can u guys lead me to some frames that would work?

Please guys, any feedback would be greatly apprciated.

Have you considered Nashbar? I think they are bargains on the low end frames. I got the standard road frame for $100 with a coupon and moved some Veloce stuff on it and it works quite well.
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&storetype=&init=y&pagename=

But getting a 60 inch frame is going to take some doing, the largest Nashbar is 60 cm (OK, I am being a jerk)

Your fork should be just fine.

As you have been told, the current frame is toast. Al frames that have been badly dented or bent should be permanently retired.

Some bike shops will have frames from that were warranty replacements but the original owner bought something else. I've seen these several times so looking around at various LBS's might turn up a real bargain. Walk around the stores looking up at what's hanging from the ceiling. :)

Nashbar has an Al road frame with carbon seat stays for under $300. Look here:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=130&subcategory=1176&brand=&sku=13771&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Finally, a want ad in the paper or posted at a bike shop might turn up something suitable.

speaking of warranty replacement, have you checked the warranty on your bike?

And more carbon is GOOOOD!


Unless you're good enough that someone pays you to ride their stuff rather than the other way around, carbon anywhere but the fork just increases the likelihood that you'll be in the market for a frame in the next few years.

If you crashed hard enough to damage the frame, your carbon fork is very likely not to be trusted. Carbon can be damaged yet it can be very hard to see evidence of the damage.

You certainly do not want to find out you have a bad fork when you grab a handful of brake on a fast downhill run.

Unless you're good enough that someone pays you to ride their stuff rather than the other way around, carbon anywhere but the fork just increases the likelihood that you'll be in the market for a frame in the next few years.
Correct but it's still "fashionable" so frames with carbon stays are commonly available. I think this trend will disappear along with the "integrated headset" fashion in the next couple of years. Neither will be missed.

speaking of warranty replacement, have you checked the warranty on your bike?
As this is not a defect in the material or construction, but rater a crash (i.e. used related) most companies will not warantee it.

As this is not a defect in the material or construction, but rater a crash (i.e. used related) most companies will not warantee it.
Some makers have a crash replacement policy that lets you buy a new frame at reduced cost. I don't think Jamis is one of them but it may be worth a call.