Johnny Rebel

Hello Framebuilders,

This isn't a framebuilding question per se, but more soliciting advice about the safety of my frame from the experts (you guys).


My steel frame (61cm 2007 Bianchi Castro Valley) was hit by a car at slow speed, bending the left seat stay inward slightly. It left a smooth bend, no kinks.


I took the bike to a frame builder who builds custom steel frames. He checked it out and straightened the alignment by cold-setting. He left the bend rather than fatigue the steel by straightening the bend.


He told me that I could basically keep riding it, but to keep an eye on the seat stay to make sure no cracks appeared, etc. He also said I shouldn't ride off-road with it. Thing is, since that time (4 years ago) my favorite rides by far have become dirt road/gravel rides -- bumpy, potholey dirt and farm roads, not singletrack. Also, I'm a pretty big guy at 6'2" 210lbs, if that matters.


So, experts, should I find a new frame and swap components or keep riding this frame? Would a picture help? The bend is hard to photograph.


Thanks in advance.

unterhausen

a smooth bend in steel is a pretty safe bet. I don't think gravel roads put too much stress on a seat stay. If you were trying to become the next Danny McCaskill, it might be a different matter.

MassiveD

Well first off you have actually taken it to a real frame builder and he has seen in the steel. What are we supposed to say?

My guess is that he didn't see any real problem with it, and he probably said the other stuff to limit his liability, real or imagined. You have now given it 4 years of testing, and nothing untoward has shown up. Under ideal circumstances the whack you describe could operate within the range than is normal in manufacture, and design. Or it could be a ticking time bomb. Your weight is not that great, weight is not normally the thing that destoys frames, though bikes are designed for given weights broadly speaking. Riding style and terrain are bigger factors.

fietsbob

You might continue to converse about their building a frame made for you,
and so designed for you and your height and weight,
and have the one you got, though damaged, to ride, just in the meantime..