Bicycle Mechanics - My Worst Nightmare... Come True... ::A Broken Chainstay::...

Oh boy, My stomach sunk to the soles of my shoes this morning after noticing the chainstay had snapped on my road bike. I almost cried, no joke. It has snapped on the right hand side, the same side as my cassette.

This is the only roadbike I have after riding it week in week out for 7 years. I have never ridden it in the rain only when dry and I thought I could keep the thing on the road for a further 10 years.

Do any of guys know whether a broken chainstay can be fixed, and if so, How???... Could welding be the answer???...

Please guys I need helping out, I'm as low as low right now...

It's probably weldable (steel will be easier but aluminium can be done - carbon fibre forget it) but whether it will remain a weak point or affect the ride qualities is something that really needs the advice of a competent frame builder.

Think of it as a sign - Time to buy a new bike.

If the frame is lugged, it should be a standard replacement. Only worth doing on quality frames, but no so expensive.
A cracked chainstay is far from the worst thing that can happen. Sometimes you only notice it after a few miles. Far worse is a cracked steerer or fork blade which is hard to ignore.
Cracks like this are usually the result of heat damage during manufacture, not corrosion.

Does your frame have a lifetime warranty? It should. If so, take it to the original dealer for a replacement.

What frame?

RichC

Originally posted by live311
Does your frame have a lifetime warranty? It should. If so, take it to the original dealer for a replacement.

I bought this bike around 10 years ago when I was a kid. I'm not sure if it did come with a lifetime warranty or even if the shop still exists where I purchased it from.


Originally posted by Rich Clark
What frame?

RichC

Its an old Raliegh Steel frame, could be weldable... Its a true bummer though.

10 years, how did it break? Something fall on it or something?

I just checked out Raleigh's web site, it states that steel frames are warrantied as long as the original owner owns it. But you need a copy of your receipt, credit card bill etc.. I'm assuming you don't have that anymore, keeping track of that for 10 years is a challenge. You might want to give them a call and see what they say, will charge you but might not be to bad. Phone 253-395-1100

Originally posted by djbowen1
10 years, how did it break? Something fall on it or something?

I don't know how the hell it broke, I'm just gutted right now. I have looked after that bike like no other. The only explanation I have is holes, grates etc in the road that I go down from time to time. Not through clumpsyness, its sometimes unavoidable.

I know one thing, I need to get it sorted pretty quick, I can already feel the fitness I have built up over the years leaving my body... :(

I need my strength endurance for soccer...

Call like Kev says. What do you have to lose?

Ok...theres too much here for me to quote so i'll just group it all together.

Warranty....it probably excludes normal wear and tear. (see below)

Why did it break? Find a paper clip and bend it back and forth. Eventually its going to break. Thats what happened to your chainstay. Is it a warranty item? Technically no. If Raleigh chooses to replace consider a nice gesture on their part.

Like kerk said.....if your bike is that 'broken in' its time for a new one...

Dont be bumbed....I'd be so psyched if I broke a frame.....it means one of two things.....Either 1...you hammer hard...or 2...you put in a ton of miles.....congrats, consider it a 'right of passage'

Jim's right. Not many of us can say we wore out a steel frame! That frame is a trophy! If you try to fix it you will ruin it. Put it on the garage wall and get a new bike.

Originally posted by miamijim


Dont be bumbed....I'd be so psyched if I broke a frame.....it means one of two things.....Either 1...you hammer hard...or 2...you put in a ton of miles.....congrats, consider it a 'right of passage'

I'm a cycling junkie. It seems to be the only therapy I have in life at the minute. This summer (Which I had off) according to my Cyclo computer I had put in over 9,000 KM. I ride an 11-19 cassette and you won't believe this but most times (I wear my Moms ankle weights too) and on the week my chainstay snapped I rid every day that week which included 3 centuries in that 1 week. The last century I did, the bike just didn't want to know. The bike I thought had always tryed to beat me, especially on the hard climbs but this time I guess I beat the bike. I ride almost everyday throughout the year and have been for the last 7 years, but not in rain. Don't mind it being cold but not in rain nor hail.


Originally posted by kerk
Jim's right. Not many of us can say we wore out a steel frame! That frame is a trophy! If you try to fix it you will ruin it. Put it on the garage wall and get a new bike.

Interesting, Never really thought of it that way... Think I might have to hang it on the wall, lol...

If it is steel there are a large number of frame fabricators in the U.S. that can repair. The most exhaustive list I have found is on Henry James website (the maker of most of the lugs used on lugged steel frames in the the U.S.). You can also contact the 'Captain' at the Harris Cyclery website. He can help you on this issue, as well.

Two that do these repairs are Waterford and HH Racing Group. Both have info on doing same on their websites. And there are many others. Cost is around $100, plus shipping and paint.

Raleigh is a completely different company than it used to be. Is now only a name. Will be interesting to see what they tell you. My guess is that they will either tell you 'tough luck' or they will give you a new frame. But will not offer to repair the old one.

In the meantime, check out eBay and get another bike/frameset to build up and get back riding again.

Good luck and let us know how this all works out.

Originally posted by ParamountScapin
If it is steel there are a large number of frame fabricators in the U.S. that can repair. The most exhaustive list I have found is on Henry James website (the maker of most of the lugs used on lugged steel frames in the the U.S.). You can also contact the 'Captain' at the Harris Cyclery website. He can help you on this issue, as well.

Two that do these repairs are Waterford and HH Racing Group. Both have info on doing same on their websites. And there are many others. Cost is around $100, plus shipping and paint.

Raleigh is a completely different company than it used to be. Is now only a name. Will be interesting to see what they tell you. My guess is that they will either tell you 'tough luck' or they will give you a new frame. But will not offer to repair the old one.

In the meantime, check out eBay and get another bike/frameset to build up and get back riding again.

Good luck and let us know how this all works out.

Paramount, Would you suggest getting the Chainstay welded???...

See
http://www.ticycles.com/repair.html
for some price guidelines.
A steel chainstay is $30-$120 depending on construction method (lugged +brazesd or TIG welded) and materials

I would not recomend a frame repair for a low-med quality factory frame, but would for a nice lugged one.

Originally posted by Vitamin X
Paramount, Would you suggest getting the Chainstay welded???...
I wouldn't recommend a weld on the chainstay. I would think
replacing the stay would be a safer, better idea.

Marty

My 15 year old steel (Raleigh) frame (Trek bike) cracked (down tube). I loved that bike -- many long miles together. Took it to LBS 700 miles from where bike was sold and I had no receipt. Trek gave me a choice of new frame or substantial credit for new bike.

Lawyers write warranties, but companies stand behind their products b/c they know you will be a satisfied customer and probably will wind up spending more on a new bike anyway (that's what i did). Start the grieving process, but Call the Company and move on w/ your life. A new bike will help heal the wound!