Is this frame damaged? There seems to be a slight bulge at the top of the head tube.
06-05-13, 03:26 PM
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Is this frame damaged? There seems to be a slight bulge at the top of the head tube.
I bought this bicycle (Trek 930) at a thrift store a while back, and it's been hanging on the garage wall gradually losing parts. My daughter is now big enough to fit it, and I was building it up for her. I decided to repack the headset bearings, and noticed that the bottom head race has a hairline crack. Then I noticed that there seems to be a small bulge at the top rear of the head tube. Does this indicate frame damage from a crash? Is the frame safe to ride? I don't think she's likely to do much off road riding.
06-05-13, 03:31 PM
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The bulge looks like a typical quality-control imperfection (though not dangerous) in seamed tubing.
Most good steel tubing is drawn seamlessly. This appears to be "seamed" tubing that starts out as a flat sheet of metal and is rolled into a tube.
I'd guess the bulge is no problem at all, though it's *possible* that this resulted from some big-landing impact. Just check for cracks or ripples in the paint on the outside of the frame. I doubt your daughter will be jumping off bannisters or riding down stairs, either.
Most good steel tubing is drawn seamlessly. This appears to be "seamed" tubing that starts out as a flat sheet of metal and is rolled into a tube.
I'd guess the bulge is no problem at all, though it's *possible* that this resulted from some big-landing impact. Just check for cracks or ripples in the paint on the outside of the frame. I doubt your daughter will be jumping off bannisters or riding down stairs, either.
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"c" is not a unit that measures tire width
"c" is not a unit that measures tire width
06-05-13, 05:00 PM
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The tubing is supposed to be double-butted True-Temper.
I'd welcome second opinions if any others of you have experience with frames.
06-05-13, 05:36 PM
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Hi,
If its "true tempered - double butted" I wouldn't remotely worry about it.
I can't really see what you are concerned about, but if its been in a prang
go by touch and feel on the ends of the top tube and down tube, its more
discriminating than the eye, but then again with steel if you can't see it
there is no problem, it can be bent a bit without weakening at all.
rgds, sreten.
If its "true tempered - double butted" I wouldn't remotely worry about it.
I can't really see what you are concerned about, but if its been in a prang
go by touch and feel on the ends of the top tube and down tube, its more
discriminating than the eye, but then again with steel if you can't see it
there is no problem, it can be bent a bit without weakening at all.
rgds, sreten.
06-05-13, 07:48 PM
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sorry, I missed on the bike quality. I figure the head tube is more likely to be made of seamed tubing, although there are some examples of higher-quality seamed tubing.
I suspect the dimple is from the weld. But still check the frame for creased paint that may indicate cracking underneath. highly likely everything's fine.
I suspect the dimple is from the weld. But still check the frame for creased paint that may indicate cracking underneath. highly likely everything's fine.
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"c" is not a unit that measures tire width
"c" is not a unit that measures tire width
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