Originally Posted by
Wilfred Laurier
Seat tube failure is not generally catastrophic, and you can usually keep riding to safety once it occurs so don't sweat it.
Which frame tubes are most critical for failure or likely to fail catastrophically?
I ask because I have a steel frame with a dent in the middle of the downtube along its length (1-1/2" long, maybe 1/8" deep) caused when my car was rear-ended and the bike was pushed into the bike rack.
It was replaced by insurance but it's a good frame (Salsa Vaya) and I'd like to build it up again if the risk is minimal.
Any thoughts on which frame components are most problematical?