Commuting - Dont be dumb like me

I put cyclocross tires on my rode bike so I could commute this winter. When I got the tires I knew they were a little too big but assumed that the rubber would wear itself down with time. Well the tire did not wear at all, actually there is no sign of wear on it. All the wear is on my frame. I usually clean my bike two times a week but dont actually take off the wheels. This weekend I did so I could repack my hubs. Thats how I found this. Well needless to say I ordered a new frame this morning. Take a look at the pictures and tell me what you think.

Beautiful! At least you learned your lesson :)

Hmmm Rubber tire + sand+ potential salt = a pretty effective cutting mechanism. Add in a too close frame tolerance and I can understand the result Pity about the frame

I would have guessed the tires to wear at least a LITTLE bit, but I guess not... sucks that you had to learn the hard way. :(

Take a look at the pictures and tell me what you think.

:eek: I am really sorry for you that you had to learn this the hard way... Good luck building up your new frame :) and selecting your tyres ;) .

I would have guessed the tires to wear at least a LITTLE bit, but I guess not... sucks that you had to learn the hard way. :(
If you look at his frame it's coated in what appears to be dried sand muck. Having this stuck to the rubber as it rubbed on the frame exacerbated the situation. It actually served to protect the rubber as it embedded itself to a degree in the rubber as it rubbed against the frame. Sort of a belt sander effect I'd imagine. If you look you can see the rows of knobs

Bummer, dude.

All that sand and stuff on the frame is from one commute home. I tryed to keep the frame as clean as possible. But the good thing about this is I get a new frame.

What material is the frame?
A std road frame is not the best choice for a winter commuter. Get a model with room for the tyres; it should use long-drop caliper or MTB style brakes. Whilst you are at it, may as well specify fender eyelets.

Although you may not have felt any drag while riding, something like this would have been spotted immediately if you would have put your bike on a repair stand and spun your wheel during routine maintenance.

I'd bet that you could still ride that frame. It would break soon, but you could still ride it....

:eek: With all the added resistance you had grinding that frame, your new bike will probably feel like it's flying.
Probably made your legs stronger! :p

why are you getting a new frame? looks ridable to me.

don't be a weenie!

Yeah, if you are going to replace it, you can send it to me, I'll put it to good use.

no hes giving it to me :p

That's was Trek 2200? or 2300? Man those cyclecross tires are pretty tough!

Wasn't it hard to peddle?

All that sand and stuff on the frame is from one commute home. I tryed to keep the frame as clean as possible. But the good thing about this is I get a new frame.
I doesn't matter how clean you keep the frame sparky. It's pretty obvious what the conditions you rode in were. The tires picked up dirt which acted as an abrasive resulting in the damage shown. Keeping the fram clean does bubkus when the tires are dirty while in motion. This would have happened eventually anyway even if you rode in a sterile environment the grit expidited the matter. I seriously hope that you aren't trying to get a new frame under warranty.

I doesn't matter how clean you keep the frame sparky. It's pretty obvious what the conditions you rode in were. The tires picked up dirt which acted as an abrasive resulting in the damage shown. Keeping the fram clean does bubkus when the tires are dirty while in motion. This would have happened eventually anyway even if you rode in a sterile environment the grit expidited the matter. I seriously hope that you aren't trying to get a new frame under warranty.

You dont have to yell at me. So I wasnt thinking or Im stupid or whatever. This was totally my fault and I take 100% blame for it. And No I will not be trying to get a new frame under warranty. I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker.

That's was Trek 2200? or 2300?

Trek 2200 either '99 or '00

At least you know a durable cyclocross tire if you ever need one.

Trek 2200 either '99 or '00

Yeah my 2200 had a tight fit even with a 25cm tire. When the new frame comes, check out the 23 Armadillo or even a 20 in another brand. And keep in mind that the size on the package may be smaller than actual.

As several people stated, wear and tear happens no matter what. But the tire will probably need about a 1cm clearance maybe more to prevent that sort of frame damage. My own experience... Can anyone actually site the actual clearance tire should have?

You dont have to yell at me. So I wasnt thinking or Im stupid or whatever. This was totally my fault and I take 100% blame for it. And No I will not be trying to get a new frame under warranty. I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker.
If I was yelling at you believe me you'd know it. ;)

If I was yelling at you believe me you'd know it. ;)

Ok that makes me feel better and my new frame will be here next week. Cant wait to start building it up

That hurts man. On the other hand, any excuse to get a new frame is a good excuse right? I hate that about modern road bikes, they keep pushing the tire clearance down to the point where the bike starts to become impractical. I couldn't even fit 28c's on the last road frame I had, so I'd end up with tons of pinch flats. I was actually relieved when I broke that frame.

I sure can't throw stones, I've done the same thing.

The only time I noticed anything wrong was during a hard turn. My bike made a horrible buzz! Of course, off the bike on on the stand, nothing wrong was evident.

What happened is the tire deformed just enough in a turn that the lugs hit my derailleur cable.

.... But the good thing about this is I get a new frame.

This is what everybody is missing. If you want a new frame, you now have an *easy* way to "justify" it! :p

:D