Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - POLL: Have you ever had your damaged steel bike repaired?

This poll is on the honour* system.

*The Brit spelling makes it mean more.

Please only vote if you meet BOTH criteria:
Criteria 1) You own or have owned a steel bike.
Criteria 2) The aforementioned steel bike was damaged (Majorly or minorly dented, bent, etc...)

Please, only vote based on YOUR experience, not what you've seen or heard of happening.


The Poll Question:

Did you have that damage repaired?

Will you guys please bump the thread when you vote? I'd like to get a good sampling of votes.

Last spring I snapped the seat tube of my Benotto track frame. I got two estimates for tube repair and new paint. In the end it was better to take that money and put it towards a new frame.

I've had minor dents from the locking up to poles, bars spinning back on the TT, or the bike falling over. None of which warranted paying for repair.

You don't think flying off the handle in one thread because you think everyone else is stupid for not already seeing things your way, and then starting another thread to debate a single point you made that some people had the audacity to dispute, might be just a little bit unhealthy?

You don't think flying off the handle in one thread because you think everyone else is stupid for not already seeing things your way, and then starting another thread to debate a single point you made that some people had the audacity to dispute, might be just a little bit unhealthy?

Hey, man. We could debate with opinions or we can debate the facts.

I made the poll to end the debate. If more people vote that they have actually had their bike repaired, then I will have obviously been proven wrong.

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK.

Numbers don't lie :love:

I will gladly admit I was wrong if proven so. I have no problem doing that.

You don't think flying off the handle in one thread because you think everyone else is stupid for not already seeing things your way, and then starting another thread to debate a single point you made that some people had the audacity to dispute, might be just a little bit unhealthy?

Not as scary as being stalked irl, rofl.

Anyhow, to topic ... in my experience, most of my friends who had frames they actually cared enough about to get repaired (e.g. not a beater, "nice" expensive frame, etc.), did *not* get their frames repaired because the cost of repair exceeded the cost of replacement or shipping.

Personally, the only frame I have ever damaged has been my polo beater. I generally take good care of my frames. Not so much my rims.

I damaged my fork on my Marinoni (feel off my rook rack on a corner and bent a dropout and a fork leg). Tool it down to my local builder (Steve Rex) and he realigned it and checked for damage. If the fork had been alu or CF it would have been replaced without thought.

Last spring I snapped the seat tube of my Benotto track frame. I got two estimates for tube repair and new paint. In the end it was better to take that money and put it towards a new frame.

Do you still have it? I'm learning framebuilding and would love a project.

Personally, the only frame I have ever damaged has been my polo beater.

If that bike was steel, please vote.

Back in the 80's and 90's we used to crack our BMX frames and bend our forks all the time. It wasn't uncommon for us to go down to Mountain Goat and have our frames re-welded. I haven't cracked my latest BMX frame (Fly Tierra) but BMX frames are MUCH better than what we rode BITD.

Never cracked a steel road frame. I have pretty hard-core CX friends and family who've been competeting on their steel frames for the last 20 years (Rock Lobster FTW).

If that bike was steel, please vote.

Done. With regard to the topic, I feel that most of the steel bikes you'll see here at least aren't worth having repaired. Both in time, effort, and money.

Had the steerer tube break on our tandem with the result that the front wheel and fork fell off while we were riding. The bottom of the headtube impacted the pavement knocking out the lower bearing race and denting the bottom front part of the headtube. A local framebuilder put a new steerer tube on the fork and repaired the headtube for about $20. We had repainted the frame previously and still had some of the paint left over so we could easily touch up the affected parts of the fork and frame.

Do you still have it? I'm learning framebuilding and would love a project.

Nah, I sold the fork and all the Campy parts. After much debate I put the frame out with the recycling one night.

I think that having the word "actually" in the poll question is biased language. You should take that out, IMO.

Broke a frame at the chainstay/dropout on tour in Europe. Got it rewelded in a muffler shop for about 3 bux.

What about all the people who "repair" their conversions so that their new track wheels will fit correctly...coldsetting should only be done with steel, right? Either way, the poll is at 40/60 have, nowhere near the 1% of 1% you suggested in the other thread.

twice. first, my v-brake mount broke after stupid mismatch between cantilever brake levers and v-brakes. too much leverage.
second, I moved v-brake mounts on a 26" frame to accept 700c wheels.

Three stories:
My bike got knocked over while the front wheel was out, the fork was bent inward and the dropouts were compressed. I cold-set it back into place and wrenched open the dropouts.

My buddy Ev crashed into a bollard at 20+mph, cracked a carbon fork, bend the front end of his steel roadie inward. Fixed for a few bucks by a knowledgeable bike shop owner.

A local his a bad pothole and was sent ass over elbows - the fork on his De Rosa flexed, the front tire hit the downtube, and there were ripples everywhere. He sent it to a master builder out on Long Island, who bent it all back into place.

I think that having the word "actually" in the poll question is biased language. You should take that out, IMO.

What's a better phrase?

"thought about having it repaired"?
"wanted to have it repaired"?
"heard that it could be repaired"?

The point of the poll to to see how many people have actually repaired steel bikes being that being repairable is touted as the one of the main selling points.

An opportunity isn't valid unless it is used.

Just after the wreck (note bent fork- tire does not clear down tube):

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/Bicycle08/Picture011-2.jpg

I straightened the fork on an aluminum ladder, but the frame damage remained:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/Bicycle08/Picture215.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/Bicycle08/Picture219.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/Bicycle08/Picture221.jpg

I rode it that way for about 6 months before acquiring another bike. The damaged bike has since been parted out.

Just after the wreck (note bent fork- tire does not clear down tube):

I straightened the fork on an aluminum ladder, but the frame damage remained:

I rode it that way for about 6 months before acquiring another bike. The damaged bike has since been parted out.

I'm not sure if that qualifies as "repaired" but please vote how you feel.

got a bent fork leg from being hit by a car. wasn't bent out of alignment drastically, so my lbs was able to realign it for me.

What's a better phrase?

"thought about having it repaired"?
"wanted to have it repaired"?
"heard that it could be repaired"?

The point of the poll to to see how many people have actually repaired steel bikes being that being repairable is touted as the one of the main selling points.

An opportunity isn't valid unless it is used.

how about just "had it repaired?"

how about just "had it repaired?"

Done. But, I can't edit the poll question that shows in the poll. It's uneditable after you submit it the first time.

If forks count, then yes.

BB shell replaced on my Paris Sport track. Had one forked straightened but and may need the current fork on that frame straightened too.

I have a friend who replaced the top tube of his Atala track. I guess it is really about how much the bike is worth/how good of a ride it is.

perhaps nyc just has more shops that will either straighten tubes/forks or replace broken tubes.

Not sure this poll will every really prove your point. Just because someone can repair a stel frame but chooses not to doesn't prove that the frame wasn't repairable.

I suspect that in the age of lugged and brazed steel frames repairs were much more common. Not only that but if you are handy with a torch and brazing rod you can do it yourself with tools that can be found just about anywhere in the world. In fact I recall reading once someone who was touring someplace in Pakastan near the Kyber Pass that damaged his top tube and had it repaired by one of the local gunsmiths who repaired it with a hand rolled gun barrel he made himself.

Probably not the most elegant solution but it got the guy back on the road again until he could get a proper repair.

Try that with an aluminum frame. Try cold setting aluminum.

No matter what your poll says. The fact remains that steel is the more forgiving material, easier to repair. All the hipsters in the world that say it was too expensive and a hassle for them to do repairs on a steel frame won't change that will it.

The fact remains that we live in a wasteful society that treats lot's of things as disposable when their perceived usefulness has ended. If someone chooses to throw something away rather then fix it that doesn't mean they were right or wise to do so.

My son borrowed my old 1973 Mondia Special about 10 yrs back - wasn't paying attention, and rode into a parked car - shortened the wheel base by 2 inches :( It was a nice bike, with some sentimental value, but the fork blades, steer tube, head tube, head lugs, top tube, and down tube were all bent some - not much left good, so it was toast :(

also, a teammate of mine: http://www.thebikestand.com/bigrepair.html

All the hipsters in the world that say it was too expensive and a hassle for them to do repairs on a steel frame won't change that will it.

Most people here who have frames for SSFG urban riding are cheap frames that really *aren't* worth repairing though. There is also a problem if you have a very expensive, nice frame. Recently my friend Drew had a mechanic completely bang up his seat tube on a stand (********, I know). He has one of those really nice Keirin frames from Pistoposeur. Anyhow, he did his homework and basically it's not worth repairing because that would involve shipping it to Japan and having them work on it, shipping it back, plus the cost of labor and materials. Yeah, you could have someone here replace the tube since it is a lugged frame, but the point is that it isn't going to be what made it an awesome frame. It'll be recoated, without the original tubing, and branding.

Not sure this poll will every really prove your point. Just because someone can repair a stel frame but chooses not to doesn't prove that the frame wasn't repairable.

I suspect that in the age of lugged and brazed steel frames repairs were much more common. Not only that but if you are handy with a torch and brazing rod you can do it yourself with tools that can be found just about anywhere in the world. In fact I recall reading once someone who was touring someplace in Pakastan near the Kyber Pass that damaged his top tube and had it repaired by one of the local gunsmiths who repaired it with a hand rolled gun barrel he made himself.

Probably not the most elegant solution but it got the guy back on the road again until he could get a proper repair.

Try that with an aluminum frame. Try cold setting aluminum.

No matter what your poll says. The fact remains that steel is the more forgiving material, easier to repair. All the hipsters in the world that say it was too expensive and a hassle for them to do repairs on a steel frame won't change that will it.

The fact remains that we live in a wasteful society that treats lot's of things as disposable when their perceived usefulness has ended. If someone chooses to throw something away rather then fix it that doesn't mean they were right or wise to do so.

Listen, the point of the poll is not to prove what's POSSIBLE. We ALL know what's possible. The point is to prove IF people are actually taking advantage of said possibility.

It's no different than paying for sh*t that you don't use. It's a waste. Riders are paying in the form of extra weight up each hill. One benefit is the OPTION to fix the bent/dented frame. If you bent the bike and NEVER exercised that option, then you paid the price for nothing and wasted money/energy to get that particular feature. It's no different than buying a cell phone because it has Google Maps...but never use Google Maps.

I've had a head tube flattened in shipping and a majorly bent fork both repaired.

It's no different than carrying an extra tube and pump on a long ride and don't use it when you get a flat. Or carrying a water bottle full of water and don't use it when you get thirsty. Or a fancy lighting system but don't use it when it gets dark. You pay for it with a weight penalty.

If you bought a steel bike because one of the features is that it's repairable, bend it, but don't repair it. That is a waste of the extra energy you exerted each pedal stroke to move a heavier bike around.

Look, if you guys say that, "I bought it cuz it's cool." then that's fine. But when people say, "I like steel for practical reasons." I'm saying prove it with this poll.

I'm saying prove it with this poll.

I think maybe we can say you've been proven wrong by now

I think maybe we can say you've been proven wrong by now

True. It's definitely not "slim to none" as I thought.

Currently, it's safe to say that there is a 50/50 chance that steel bike owners will repair their bent/dented bikes.



But there is a 100% chance that they have to carry the extra weight around! :D

I'm building a Surly Pacer road bike for long rides and centuries I have planned. I mentioned earlier that I have friends and family who are dedicated CX racers - very fast and badass athletes. They've been racing steel frames since highschool, and my brother has had his Rock Lobster frame for 20 years.

As far as weight savings go - WEIGHT ISN'T HOLDING THEM BACK!! I believe the trophies and medals prove otherwise.

I think you have to look at the manufacturer of the steel frame. I actually returned my carbon fiber road bike and am using the credit to build up my high quality steel frame. I was hitting some pretty high speeds (~50MPH) on some descents and it did occur to me that carbon fiber frames have had issues before. Although I doubt it would happen to me, once that got in my head, it was hard a shake it loose.

Companies like Surly, Soma, Masi, and other high-end steel frame builders I'd trust to withstand the test of time such as the aforementioned Rock Lobster frames. But if you have some 1976 frame you picked up at a garage sale for $3, I would have my doubts.

Steel frames are not all created equal and you can easily build a 16-17lb. full road bike with a steel frame, and I'm sure you can rock a fixed gear in the same range. The weight issue with steel frames is baloney.

steel frames can break, too.

own a pista, rode the **** outta it (no tarcking) found cracked seatstays (where seatstays are brazed onto the seattube) had it fixed, rode it a week, and got another bike.

the frame now jus hangs on my wall

I have had at least 2 steel frames damaged or dented somehow. Neither did I repair. 1 was a DeRosa that had a decapitated brake cable braze-on. And I relished the original paint and decals more than the defect. The another was a crash and a creased Schwinn frame with Columbus SL tubing. Dumped the frame

I have also had a carbon fiber frame cracked (ran it into the garage on top of my car). Did not get that repaced. I had an early LOOK KG frame delaminate at the lugs. Did not repair that either.

So I only voted once that, No, I have had damage done to a steel frame, and did not have it reparied.

Does putting a sticker over a ding count as repair?

I have personally repaired multiple steel frames over the last 25 years or so, from simple dropout replacements to tube replacements and BB shell replacements.

I bet the poll results would be different in the C&V subforum. It seems like repairing steel frames is fairly common.

But there is a 100% chance that they have to carry the extra weight around! :D

As the Riv page says, until we are lean masses of muscle ourselves a steel frame is a very small weight penalty. I am not competing in any capacity so to me a 22 pound bike is very light.

We could have a poll, how many of the weight weenies here have an extra 5-10 pounds hanging off of their guts?

my third story. just this morning, got my frame back from motorcycle chassis hydraulic press shop after having its toptube and downtube straightened.
it's a $10 job, much cheaper than getting me a new (or used) frame with the same quality.

what does this have to do with ss or fg?

I wont vote, because I guess this is only for ssfg bikes you're asking about? But a long time ago, my dad repaired my Raleigh Chopper coz I hit it against a lamppost and the frame bent.

I wont vote, because I guess this is only for ssfg bikes you're asking about? But a long time ago, my dad repaired my Raleigh Chopper coz I hit it against a lamppost and the frame bent.

i cant think of a single connection either.

Carbon is repairable, too. Calfee and Road Runner Velo (and probably others out there) will do carbon repairs.

A buddy of mine picked up a Ridley Damocles for a song because the PO had stupided it to the point of cracking (overtightening the front der clamp, and such things). Sent it to Calfee. Got it repaired. Now has ridiculously sweet road bike.

i cant think of a single connection either.

This all started in the why is aluminum bad thread. One member said that steel being repairable is not a valid argument because no one repairs steel frames. That got a debate going so he started this thread to settle that argument. I still think this would do better in C&V since it is dominated by old, valuable steel frames.