fredmart

I've just snapped the rear fork end of my frame and would really appreciate any advice about whether this can be fixed or whether I need a whole new frame.

The break is on the right-hand side of the bike, at about 10 o'clock when looking directly at the rear wheel axle. The rear derailleur is hanging completely off. The rear wheel axle is still being held in place at the moment.

If it helps the bike is a GT avalanche 1.0, I think 2008ish model.

My real questions:

Can this be welded back together? The specs that I can find suggest the frame is alumnium, although looking at the snapped bits, it looks more like some kind of composite to my very untrained eye.

Even if welding would work, is this at all sensible given the risk of it breaking again and the rear wheel coming off at high speed?

I'm living in Sierra Leone where its pretty much impossible to get an even vaguely decent bike as a replacement, and definitely impossible to get a new frame, so if its possible to repair it then I will. Otherwise the only way of getting a replacement is to bring one back on the plane with me next time I fly home.

Any advice really appreciated!

Cheers,

Fred

rhenning

If you are the original owner you could probably warranty the frame. Roger

Mr IGH

Does the frame have a replaceable derailleur hanger? Are you able to post a picture of the damaged dropout/hanger?

well biked

+1...I just did a quick search for "2008 GT Avalanche 1.0" and by the looks of it, it's a bike I would expect to have a replaceable derailleur hanger. To the OP, if it does have a replaceable derailleur hanger, this means that the little aluminum tab-like item that broke off is designed to do this when it takes a hit so that you can replace that part and not ruin the whole frame. You'll need to match up the exact shape, size, etc. of the original hanger if you get a replacement. The easiest way is to go to the GT dealer or at least a bike shop, but if that's not possible, here's a start:

https://derailleurhanger.com/gt.htm

Hanger #94 lists the 2008 Avalanche as one of the GT bikes it fits.

fredmart

Thanks rhenning - I'm not the original owner I'm afraid and difficult to organise from africa in any case.

HillRider

I looked at the GT web site and the current Avalanch does have a replacable derailleur hanger but the archive makes no such claim for the 2008 version so I'm not sure. However, if well biked's reference is correct you should be able to replace it. And, yes these are all aluminum frames.

fietsbob

If it were Steel you could have found some non specialist repair,
I would seek out a steel replacement frame , Given your location.


Probably find more services down south in like Capetown, RSA.

531phile 

It's a good practice to buy a back up replaceable rear derailleur hangers for your bike when you get your bike. Sometimes a company could go belly up you are are caught out in the cold with an unusable frame if it should break or they will stop producing them and it is difficult to get 'em.

fredmart

Cheers for all the replies - can't seem to post pictures for some reason but it does look like its just the derailleur hanger and that its separate from the main frame. Bit of a relief that I don't have to get a whole new frame.

Thanks for all the advice!

Fred