ethansdad

Hi,

This is my first post. I've been a lurker for a while but need some input on an old frame that I was planning on building up. I've had this frame ('83 Trek 630) for a while, but just noticed a small dent on the top of the top tube just in front of the seat tube (see pics). It's pretty small, and there doesn't seem to be any broken paint. Is this something I should be worried about structurally (doesn't really bother me otherwise)?

I purchased the frame because it was in really nice shape and is the exact same model as my first "real" bike I bought back in '83.

Thanks!
Kevin

Ex Pres 

I wouldn't worry, but I wouldn't ignore it. It'll be right in front of you to see if it changes at all. Ride and enjoy.
I see you also have an '84 760. I had one of those a few years back, and I currently have an '83 600 in pewter. And not too far south of you, just outside de'Ham.
Maybe I'll see you on the road someday.

ethansdad

Thanks for the input.

My 760 is my attempt at bringing the '80s style back -- purple with red cables rocks! However, my wife would prefer that I not look so much like a rolling bruise when I'm riding with her, so the 630 is to be a more respectable "relaxed" bike.

Velocivixen

As already mentioned. Ride the bike and have a wonderful time. Keep an eye on it though. Steel wouldn't likely succumb to catastrophic failure. You would notice paint changing, etc. if it were getting worse. Have fun and post more photos.

jiangshi

A frame block may pop the worst of that out.

Ex Pres 

No, no. That bike came OE with pink cable housings and bar tape (reddish pink). That's the way I rocked it (though mine was more bubble-gum pink). I did have some riders questioning my leanings, though

I am curious, the 760 in the catalog was 531p, mine however was 531c. What is yours made of?

3speedslow

Your wife rides with you ? Lucky dog !!!

ethansdad

Mine is 531c as well.

ethansdad

You've got it backwards

Velognome 

Build it and ride it if the dent doesn't bother you. I'd roll it out (the dent) or look for another frame, purely for esthetical reasons

cale

It looks like the dent was made by a heavy blow to the rear brake cable. I notice the position of the cable casing aligns with the dent and the casing looks to be somewhat smashed too!

If that's the case, I wouldn't worry. That's not stress damage which is what you don't want. Stress damage looks the metal got stretched or pinched. Small, localized, dents like yours don't usually turn into big problems.

Your rear brake performance may also be sort of mushy from a squashed cable casing.

jon c. 

Wouldn't bother me. I think there's little chance of further issue in that spot.

79pmooney

Ride it. Look at it occasionally. I'd be very surprised if anything changes except for perhaps a little rust from paint cracking. When it becomes time for a new paint job, take it to a frame builder with the blocks for removing dents and let him have at it. The dent may well just pop out. Small dents are often just another stable shape a thin cylinder can take, just like spoked wheels can take the other stable shape, that of a potato chip. Both are often completely reversible with little or no permanent damage. (And a little weakening of a top tube there, in front of the seat tube, is not going to ever matter. Top tube failures are rare, even when bigger indignities happen to them. And if it fails there, it is just as unlikely to cause anything more than a "oh, my top tube broke. I think I'll call for a ride home".

As I wrote this, I recalled a friend's bike that failed basically right there. I did not see it nor know if it failed completely. The bike was a light tubed Miyata with internal brake cable and no reinforcing around the exit which apparently was forward of the butted material. Also he was a large, heavy and strong rider. My memory was of his irritation re: the design decisons that disabled his primary mode of transportation. I don't recall him saying anything about a danger aspect.

Ben

jimmuller 

That's one thing that has bothered me since I first heard of internal brake routing. Unless done well it would seem to weaken the TT significantly.

Velognome 

Or caught in a bike stand clamp

easyupbug 

It would depend on what the rest of the frame looks like to me. If it is getting shabby and a new paint job would make it sharp again I would have it rolled, filled and repainted. If that's the only real eye sore on the bike I would not give it a second thought.

ethansdad

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The rest of the frame is in excellent condition, and the paint and decals are near perfect. I will probably put more marks on it in my first week of riding than are on it now!

So, my plan is to go ahead and build it up and keep an eye on the dent. I will post photos of the completed project.

The Golden Boy 

I wouldn't worry about it.

Plus it's also out of your viewing area. I have a dent on my TT, much farther forward than yours- it's *just* in my peripheral vision- so I don't see it unless I look for it.