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Weirdly compressed dropout
Hello Bike Forum Collective Brain, it’s been a while since I’ve needed your help. Today I received a frame that seems to have taken a bit of knock during travel. As you can see, one of the dropouts is compressed, and the axle doesn’t slide in properly. I have dropout alignments tools and I am familiar with normal cases of dropout bendiness, as well as cold setting routines. But I have never seen this before. My question is: do you think it is safe to gently try to pry open the dropout or will that compromise its strength? Should I send it back and clamour for a refund instead? Thanks in advance... https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...473eb2c10.jpeg This dropout is fine https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d7a424bc7.jpeg This dropout is smushed |
That is a pretty common occurrence. I would cold set it back to shape with confidence - it isn't bent that much.
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Shouldn't worry. Bend it back slowly with an improvised lever (or maybe a wedge). Seems like the frame could have been better protected before shipment
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Originally Posted by Hoopdriver
(Post 20356651)
Shouldn't worry. Bend it back slowly with an improvised lever (or maybe a wedge). Seems like the frame could have been better protected before shipment
While I would definitely fix it myself, I would also contact the shipper to have them address their atrocious packing and the damage. (Unless it is just some dude on ebay, in which case there is little point.) You might get a partial refund or something like that. |
Originally Posted by Hoopdriver
(Post 20356651)
Shouldn't worry. Bend it back slowly with an improvised lever (or maybe a wedge). Seems like the frame could have been better protected before shipment
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All set. Thank you all. It looks like the frame was packed that way from Soma’s factory in Taiwan.... |
Wasn't there a plastic dropout spacer for shipping included with the frame?
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yes. maybe it was too mushy to prevent bending? I'll check it, I still have it
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If you have 3' or so of metal pipe of slightly bigger ID than the lower dropout face to bottom of derailleur hanger dimension, then slide it on, and pry gently 'til that axle slot looks straight.
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You should be able to bend it back, but cast dropouts such as yours tend to be more difficult to bend than traditional forged or stamped dropouts. If there is a hole for an adjuster bolt, check carefully for cracks at the hole afterward.
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Bend it back gently, a little at a time. Use a wood wedge, tap it gently until top and bottom are parallel.
And run a tap through the hanger to clean put the paint. And the rack\fender mounting holes if you intend to use them. |
Originally Posted by Va1984
(Post 20356977)
yes. maybe it was too mushy to prevent bending? I'll check it, I still have it
One good way to prevent this sort of damage is to use an old high flange hub. Not only does it keep the spacing set, the high flanges prevent the hanger from getting hit when the box gets dropped on the floor (which it will.) Or you can make a wood block out of 2x4 that both fills the dropout slots and protects the hanger. Takes a bit of work if you don't have a table saw but it's time well spent. Doesn't need to be super-precise. |
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