Thread: Crack in frame
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Old 01-15-11 | 06:34 PM
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cyccommute
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Originally Posted by Geosammy
The frame is a mountain bike type frame.
I don't ride of road and have never preformed jumps as you described. Non the less you really don't see much hope in my fixing this frame aside from welding it. Welding an alum frame is costly, not to mention the heat treatment the frame will need in order to do the welding.
I've monitored the crack and it hasn't gotten any worse over a 3 month span of riding everyday. The crack seems to have found it's bottom. Also, I don't believe the crack will result in total failure of the frame. For me to trash the frame seems like a radical suggestion to me, but not one I haven't thought of.
I respect your opinion, but I'm opting for the latter and will try to repair it with fiberglass and epoxy.
Another thing is that if I had the money, I'd trash the frame and purchase a new one and this post would be nonexistent.
A bike with a long set back even when the seat post is inserted as far as yours puts stress on the seatpost/top tube junction. Add a large rider and a poorly heat treated frame and it's pretty easy to crack a cheap frame. Once cracked, however, you shouldn't trust this frame no matter how long it's been since the crack elongated. I don't think any bandaid of epoxy or fiberglass is going to stop the process of eventual failure. All fiberglass or epoxy will do is cover the crack. That will just make you feel safe but it won't make you safe.

Sorry to say but the frame is a zombie. It's just waiting to eat your brains.
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