Bicycle Mechanics - Frame question: is this normal

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UmneyDurak
02-10-07, 05:16 PM
So I was cleaning my bike today, bought it last month, and noticed a whole on the none drive side of the rear triangle. Is this normal, and what is it for? This is a 2007 CAAD8 frame.
Picture:
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m169/umneydurak/frame.jpg

Thanks.

Eatadonut
02-10-07, 05:17 PM
Worms. Check the other side - if there's no hole, don't eat it.


Just kidding. Looks like drainage/venting. I wouldn't worry about it.
teamcompi
02-10-07, 05:59 PM
I think you were right the first time, looks like a worm hole to me!

UmneyDurak
02-10-07, 06:17 PM
I don't think I had that whole on my two other bikes, one of the was with 2006 CAAD8. Not really worried, well maybe a little, but very curious what it's for.
damocles1
02-10-07, 06:21 PM
Drain hole. My old CAAD7 had one...
Eatadonut
02-10-07, 06:31 PM
I don't think I had that whole on my two other bikes, one of the was with 2006 CAAD8. Not really worried, well maybe a little, but very curious what it's for.

Either for water drainage, or vapor escape for welding purposes.
UmneyDurak
02-13-07, 07:06 AM
Yep, you guys were right. This is a vent hole for welding.
JackTheLadd
02-13-07, 07:30 AM
Yep, you guys were right. This is a vent whole for welding.

Ok, sorry to be a grammar/vocabulary Nazi, but it's a "hole", not a "whole".

Rant over. ;)
Eatadonut
02-13-07, 08:24 AM
Ok, sorry to be a grammar/vocabulary Nazi, but it's a "hole", not a "whole".

Rant over. ;)

well it is a whole hole - otherwise this thread would have been titled "dented frame - is it safe?" :D
Bobby Lex
02-14-07, 05:01 AM
But why is the paint scraped off?

Bob
daveloud
02-14-07, 07:01 AM
Is the hole tapped? Maybe for a kickstand? Did you get the bike at Wal-Mart?

Just kidding.
splytz1
02-14-07, 09:27 AM
"dented frame - is it safe?" :D

IS IT SAFE????
Michel Gagnon
02-14-07, 06:23 PM
Where is it. Is it inside the left chain stay?

I assume the bike has vertical dropouts (I can't see from the web picture), and therefore that the wheel hasn't been mis-aligned. However if the wheel is badly out of true or if you broke a spoke and had some tire rub or if you installed a too large tire, then the tire may have rubbed on the chain stay.

Is it safe? I think you would need to compare with a new frame to see what is the shape of a normal left chainstay. The photo doesn't tell us if you just rubbed a bit of paint or if you removed a real amount of material. And even if there is little material removed, the tube might have been flattened and ovalized; comparing it to a brand new one would tell you whether or not that's the case.

As for the hole, check first to see if the metal is thick – and therefore it is a genuine hole – or if feels like metal thinned until there is nothing left. Another sure sign would be to check whether you have one on the right side and if a new frame has it.
Now a new frame might have a painted-on hole, so if you see or feel (with your hand) a dimple around that place, you might well have a brazing vent hole that was plugged and painted over.

BTW, I'm NOT giving out a diagnostic at a distance. If you have a good bike shop, they might be able to assess the situation.