Road Cycling - Anyone ever had a dented pulled out of an Aluminum Top Tube.

Can dents be pulled from aluminum tubing? :( I know they can be pulled from a Ford Taurus. :)

Thanks.

Try one of those suction pullers if you can find one small enough, or an adhesive puller (removable epoxy and a wooden dowel might work).

Other than that, I would not drill and pull. Also, some great body men can (depending on the dent, is it creased?) can get it to pop back out by hitting it with a mallet (not sure if aluminum is soft enough for that).

Good luck,

ehenz

Can dents be pulled from aluminum tubing? :( I know they can be pulled from a Ford Taurus. :)

Thanks.

Not if you want to DIE. Hahaha.
All kidding aside... your ford taurus body work isn't a structural load bearing member. The top tube is.
If it were in constant tension, it would be dangerous but the top tube is under compression, which is a lot more dangerous. The entire tube could be compromised to the point where any significant load would just buckle it and fold your bike in half, permenantly.

I vote for replacement!

See if I can attach a picture.

I would say no. Aluminum "work hardens", meaning the metal became a little bit weaker when it became dented. Pulling the dent out will weaken it even more. But that all depends on the size of the dent. If its just a small dent, less than 3/8" across or so (on a 2 inch tube), I wouldn't even mess with it, just fugetaboudit and ride.
But if its a really small dent, you can try the dry ice method. Heat the area up with nothing hotter than a hair dryer, or let it sit in the hot sun for a while, then take some dry ice and hold it to the area immediately surrounding the dent. The metal will shrink and pull some or most of the dent out.
OK, I just saw the picture. Dry ice won't do anything for that. I would say you either need a new frame, or find somebody that tig welds aluminum that isn't worried about liability.

Can dents be pulled from aluminum tubing? :( I know they can be pulled from a Ford Taurus. :)

Thanks.


I've had a Jeunet 10-speed fo about 25 years with a couple "nice" dents in the top tube. It belonged to my boyhood friend who threw a hammer one day in the garage and hit the bike. The dents were about 3/8" deep and 1/2' and 3/4" long, but the tube didn't have a bend in it. He rode it for about 5 years after that, and I've ridden it off on and over the years since I got it from him. I just stripped it down recently for a complete rebuild. While the dent has some sentimental value, I thought I would dress it up a bit and used a little bit of bondo to fill the dent. Seeing this topic made me wonder how much pressure the top tube really takes. My friend beat the crap out of that bike for years after "the hammer." It's a Reynolds frame from 30 years ago, so it isn't that lightweight.

Am I racing this thing? No way. I'm using it as more of a commuter/exercise bike. I've always wondered about it, but the dent wasn't more than 1/3 into the tube. I'll probably use it more this summer on the local bike trails. That way if I "fold" at least I won't be under the tires of a truck!

Okay, that is one ugly dent. You are on your own, disregard my first post :)

See if I can attach a picture.

you are doomed

Can dents be pulled from aluminum tubing? :( I know they can be pulled from a Ford Taurus. :) Thanks.

How did the dent happen?

PS I think you need a different name if you're going to be riding Al bikes. Or maybe now is the time to match your bike to your name... :)

Your frame is toast. Toss it in the recycling bin.

Also, just ignore the post above mine - there is no such thing as an iron frame ;)

Actually that isn't my bike. But I can buy it really cheap. As far as the component set it is an upgrade from what I have now but I guess the frame is toast. Thanks a lot for all the responses.

But I can buy it really cheap.

I certainly hope so. It is ready for the scrap heap.
Used condoms would be a better deal. :eek:

I certainly hope so. It is ready for the scrap heap.
Used condoms would be a better deal. :eek:
:roflmao: :roflmao:

I certainly hope so. It is ready for the scrap heap.
Used condoms would be a better deal. :eek:

You know, if you turn the condom inside out, you can use it a 2nd time.