Wreck caused frame to bend
08-01-09, 05:54 PM
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Wreck caused frame to bend
My wife wrecked her 99 Schwinn Searcher GSX somehow.
I wasn't there to see what happened, but she somehow came over the handlebars and this caused the front wheel to be pushed back. The wheel isn't bent, nor is the fork that I can tell. T]the frame actually bent back into itself a bit in a crumpled way on the lower frame bar by the handle bar. I will try to post a photo to explain better, soon. You can't turn the wheel without it rubbing on the frame bar now, and the pedals end up hitting the wheel if you turn them just right. I pulled on the wheel and got it to bend back a bit, but it's still quite a ways off. The fork is straight, everything is fine except that accordion bend. I couldn't figure it out at first what was even wrong until I saw the little dimple on the underside of the lower frame arm. I asked the LBS about fixing it but they were no use. Can something like this be fixed? Or did this just become a boat anchor?
I wasn't there to see what happened, but she somehow came over the handlebars and this caused the front wheel to be pushed back. The wheel isn't bent, nor is the fork that I can tell. T]the frame actually bent back into itself a bit in a crumpled way on the lower frame bar by the handle bar. I will try to post a photo to explain better, soon. You can't turn the wheel without it rubbing on the frame bar now, and the pedals end up hitting the wheel if you turn them just right. I pulled on the wheel and got it to bend back a bit, but it's still quite a ways off. The fork is straight, everything is fine except that accordion bend. I couldn't figure it out at first what was even wrong until I saw the little dimple on the underside of the lower frame arm. I asked the LBS about fixing it but they were no use. Can something like this be fixed? Or did this just become a boat anchor?
08-01-09, 06:08 PM
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08-01-09, 06:11 PM
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Or did this just become a boat anchor?
Yes. In the good old days they made the forks weaker so they would have more spring and would bend before any damage was done to the frame - Easy to replace a bent fork. You may be able to get a frame if there is a bike co-op in your area.
Yes. In the good old days they made the forks weaker so they would have more spring and would bend before any damage was done to the frame - Easy to replace a bent fork. You may be able to get a frame if there is a bike co-op in your area.
08-01-09, 06:19 PM
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Bleh .. afraid of that. I just picked this up from a lady who bought it new and hardly rode it .. is a cherry bike and my wife loved it.
08-01-09, 06:43 PM
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A few photos
This is the dimple on the underside.
You can see how stressed it is, cracking the paint.
Shows how the wheel and pedal now hit.
Wheel rubbing the down bar.
This is the dimple on the underside.
You can see how stressed it is, cracking the paint.
Shows how the wheel and pedal now hit.
Wheel rubbing the down bar.
08-01-09, 06:45 PM
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Garbage. Salvage what you can and find a replacement bike or frame.
08-01-09, 06:47 PM
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OK, I've seen *toe* overlap, but this is the first time I've seen *crank* overlap!
Actually, that doesn't look too bad; A little rubbing compound should buff that right out.
Actually, that doesn't look too bad; A little rubbing compound should buff that right out.
08-01-09, 06:52 PM
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Well I know nothing about finding bike frames. It was all I could do to afford this bike atm. Looks like her comfort biking days are over for awhile. Tried to put this seat on her old cheap dyno mtb but the tube isn't the same size and don't think the actual seat will swap. Thanks for the info! 
08-01-09, 07:05 PM
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I agree with all above - that frame is fricked up! Throw it away or your wife is risking serious injury.
The seat, however, seems to be a standard design that should fit on most seatposts. Post a pic of the seat on the Schwinn and the seat on the Dyno and someone might be able to advise on the swap.
The seat, however, seems to be a standard design that should fit on most seatposts. Post a pic of the seat on the Schwinn and the seat on the Dyno and someone might be able to advise on the swap.
08-01-09, 08:51 PM
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Ruined. At the price point of that bike, it would be more cost effective to buy a new bike. Check your local craigslist.org for something used.
08-01-09, 09:12 PM
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Not really fixable. Not cost effectively anyhow.
Take your wife bike shopping, think of this as an opportunity to have her find something new she likes.
Take your wife bike shopping, think of this as an opportunity to have her find something new she likes.
08-01-09, 09:13 PM
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Glad to see you're more giving us the details of the crappy bike folding up than what your wife endured 
You're not showing her this thread I hope. Get her a nice bike next time, but if necessary please show her how to ride so she can keep it longer...
You're not showing her this thread I hope. Get her a nice bike next time, but if necessary please show her how to ride so she can keep it longer...
08-01-09, 10:32 PM
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Like others have said the frame is toast and unfixable. I would strip off all the parts, you might get lucky and find a used replacement frame and fork somewhere. Actually the curved design of the frame allowed the frame to fold faster then if it had been a normal diamond shaped frame not because the fork was made too strong; if it had been a diamond shaped frame that particular fork probably would have folded first...but that still is a maybe.
08-01-09, 10:36 PM
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08-01-09, 10:58 PM
#17
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The frame is aluminum and the fork is chromoly, which sort of explains why the frame bent and the fork didn't. Shimagnolo's right about the curved design of the down tube.
I'm sorry, but the frame is totaled; bent aluminum isn't repairable.
I'm sorry, but the frame is totaled; bent aluminum isn't repairable.
