Originally Posted by
joninkrakow
Here's a question. I know that everybody writes off a frame that is bent in this location, but what is the genuine danger? Is it possible to have a catastrophic failure? or is it more likely to go slowly? .... Personally, I'm not too keen on learning on my own body with this frame, considering my Clydesdale weight, ;-) but I'm curious what the dangers of this damage is.
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but I may just start asking around about frame builders. Some things are still quite cheap here--including labor.
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First hand experience: practically nil.
Second hand experience #1. My brother (same one) had a Miyata that he loved, and he crashed it in the manner you describe. The bike was no longer rideable; the front wheel wouldn't clear the frame! The bike shop applied the appropriate Park tool and straightened that frame perfectly, or nearly so; after which he continued to ride it. But while it was out of service he'd bought a new one, and after the Miyata was fixed he still preferred the new bike. I don't know what ever happened to the Miyata.
Second hand experience #2. My first ten speed was a Raleigh Record, and after I sold it the frame broke under the new buyer. The guy riding it said he hit a pothole, heard a funny sound, and after that the bike just felt strange, like it had gone all "sproingy". But it was dark, so he rode it home, where he noticed the damage: the downtube had popped out right of the head lug! So, to answer your question, the failure was not particularly catastrophic on that particular occasion. But obviously you don't know what's going to happen in your case.
But if, as you say, labor is cheap; and your frame needs painted anyway; and if you find a frame builder in Poland, then you may be able to have the downtube and top tube replaced for a fraction of the cost of a new frame. Heck, you may even be able to upgrade to butted Reynolds 531 or something!