Gov_E

Hello, and HELP!

Hey guys, I'm new here, and to road bikes in general (used to own my fair share of mountain bikes). I just picked up a sweet Cannondale R800 off of CL...complete with a hairline crack! So what now? After lots of browsing through these forums, it sounds like welding isn't an option. Perhaps I should buy another frame and try and swap some of the parts? It looks like some of the components are decent, some not so much. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance!

BCRider

Canondale had a long time replacement aid policy that would allow you to purchase a new frame for a big discount if your old frame developed a crack. But I'm not sure if they still do this or not. It would be worth an email to see if they would still give you some consideration on the purchase of a new frame.

LesterOfPuppets

Nashbar has $99 frames.

Depending on the age of your bike, the Nashbar might have a different rear dropout width, which would have to be addressed.

Seatpost diameter and headset diameter, possibly, but it seems like Cannondale roadbikes have been 1 1/8" headset for quite some time.

Gov_E

In any case, crack in frame = deathtrap? If I were to purchase one of those frames from Nashbar (or somewhere else) any clue what I'm looking at in parts if I don't decide to swap everything? For a basic single speed setup, maybe 2-300 bucks? Sorry for being such a noob, and thanks

Lug

Successful weld repairs depend on the material being welded and the flow of stesses around the repair. Unless you have the equipment in the long run it will probably be cheaper to replace the frame. Not only would you need the proper welding equipment but probably also a heat treat furnace large enough to take the frame. Not something most home hobbiest have.

CACycling

If you aren't going to use any of the components off the old bike, just buy a new bike complete. It will be cheaper to get something like this:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._al_carb_x.htm
or buy a used bike (without a crack).