Is this frame toast?
10-10-16 | 06:38 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
Is this frame toast?
The fork is clearly done. (Or can it be fixed?) And there are noticeable stress marks on the toptube and downtube where they meet the headtube.
The frame is labeled high tension steel (hi-ten I assume), not sure that makes a difference.
But is this purely a cosmetic thing or is the frame done?
The frame is labeled high tension steel (hi-ten I assume), not sure that makes a difference.
But is this purely a cosmetic thing or is the frame done?
10-10-16 | 06:59 PM
#3
That Huffy Guy
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 160
From: Ashtabula, Ohio
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
Steel is very forgiving. The fork is bent and I could straighten it in a press and still trust it. The headtube looks like the lugs did their job and the tubes might have flexed, but don't look bent to me.
I would totally ride the frame. You can always replace the fork if you like the bike and don't trust a cold set on the fork.
I would totally ride the frame. You can always replace the fork if you like the bike and don't trust a cold set on the fork.
10-10-16 | 07:05 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
BITD we used to straighten forks in worse shape as a matter of course. But these days worries about potential liability has shops shying away from that kind of work.
If you're doing the work yourself, even the fork can be saved with some hand and eye skill. The frame is toast in one sense, but in real time may take ages to fail. The irony is that cheaper crappier bikes fare better in situations like this because the steels used are beefier and more ductile. So while they are weaker, more is used and a lower percentage of strength is lost.
So, if you're willing to put in some effort as a learning experience, you an end up with a workable beater which may last another decade.
If you're doing the work yourself, even the fork can be saved with some hand and eye skill. The frame is toast in one sense, but in real time may take ages to fail. The irony is that cheaper crappier bikes fare better in situations like this because the steels used are beefier and more ductile. So while they are weaker, more is used and a lower percentage of strength is lost.
So, if you're willing to put in some effort as a learning experience, you an end up with a workable beater which may last another decade.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-10-16 | 07:44 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
BITD we used to straighten forks in worse shape as a matter of course. But these days worries about potential liability has shops shying away from that kind of work.
If you're doing the work yourself, even the fork can be saved with some hand and eye skill. The frame is toast in one sense, but in real time may take ages to fail. The irony is that cheaper crappier bikes fare better in situations like this because the steels used are beefier and more ductile. So while they are weaker, more is used and a lower percentage of strength is lost.
So, if you're willing to put in some effort as a learning experience, you an end up with a workable beater which may last another decade.
If you're doing the work yourself, even the fork can be saved with some hand and eye skill. The frame is toast in one sense, but in real time may take ages to fail. The irony is that cheaper crappier bikes fare better in situations like this because the steels used are beefier and more ductile. So while they are weaker, more is used and a lower percentage of strength is lost.
So, if you're willing to put in some effort as a learning experience, you an end up with a workable beater which may last another decade.
10-10-16 | 08:14 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Straightening the fork ends is the easiest, safest part of this job.
BTW - I don't say this is safe, just that it's not particularly unsafe.
BTW - I don't say this is safe, just that it's not particularly unsafe.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-11-16 | 03:27 AM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,564
Likes: 2,739
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
I would not trust that fork for a single ride! The frame does not look too bad and I have straightened worse. However...
To implement the repairs yourself in not a good idea unless you know what you are doing and have the tools to do it. If you can't do the repairs, an expert will have to be hired and that will cost lots. Finally, if the frame is not valuable, then the cost to repair might exceed the weight of good sense.
Trust the frame? Not a problem. Trust the fork? Not a chance!
To implement the repairs yourself in not a good idea unless you know what you are doing and have the tools to do it. If you can't do the repairs, an expert will have to be hired and that will cost lots. Finally, if the frame is not valuable, then the cost to repair might exceed the weight of good sense.
Trust the frame? Not a problem. Trust the fork? Not a chance!
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
10-11-16 | 07:59 AM
#9
"Florida Man"
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 2,585
From: East Florida
Bikes: '16 Bob Jackson rando, '66 Raleigh Superbe, 80 Nishiki Maxima, 07 Gary Fisher Utopia, 09 Surly LHT
Did you take it over a sweet jump?
__________________
Campione Del Mondo Immaginario
Campione Del Mondo Immaginario
10-12-16 | 08:20 PM
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
