So I was cleaning my bike today, bought it last month, and noticed a whole on the none drive side of the rear triangle. Is this normal, and what is it for? This is a 2007 CAAD8 frame.
Picture:


Thanks.

Worms. Check the other side - if there's no hole, don't eat it.


Just kidding. Looks like drainage/venting. I wouldn't worry about it.

I think you were right the first time, looks like a worm hole to me!

I don't think I had that whole on my two other bikes, one of the was with 2006 CAAD8. Not really worried, well maybe a little, but very curious what it's for.

Drain hole. My old CAAD7 had one...

Either for water drainage, or vapor escape for welding purposes.

Yep, you guys were right. This is a vent hole for welding.

Ok, sorry to be a grammar/vocabulary Nazi, but it's a "hole", not a "whole".

Rant over.

well it is a whole hole - otherwise this thread would have been titled "dented frame - is it safe?"

But why is the paint scraped off?

Bob

Is the hole tapped? Maybe for a kickstand? Did you get the bike at Wal-Mart?

Just kidding.

IS IT SAFE????

Where is it. Is it inside the left chain stay?

I assume the bike has vertical dropouts (I can't see from the web picture), and therefore that the wheel hasn't been mis-aligned. However if the wheel is badly out of true or if you broke a spoke and had some tire rub or if you installed a too large tire, then the tire may have rubbed on the chain stay.

Is it safe? I think you would need to compare with a new frame to see what is the shape of a normal left chainstay. The photo doesn't tell us if you just rubbed a bit of paint or if you removed a real amount of material. And even if there is little material removed, the tube might have been flattened and ovalized; comparing it to a brand new one would tell you whether or not that's the case.

As for the hole, check first to see if the metal is thick – and therefore it is a genuine hole – or if feels like metal thinned until there is nothing left. Another sure sign would be to check whether you have one on the right side and if a new frame has it.
Now a new frame might have a painted-on hole, so if you see or feel (with your hand) a dimple around that place, you might well have a brazing vent hole that was plugged and painted over.

BTW, I'm NOT giving out a diagnostic at a distance. If you have a good bike shop, they might be able to assess the situation.