Cracked Frame Question
 

Hi,

I am new to all this biking stuff so bear with me while I try to explain my situation. I just bought myself a road bike off e-bay. 1995 Schwinn Super Sport with an Alumninum frame. I was just going to take it for my first ride when I noticed a crack in the front tube where the fork goes through. It's about 1" to 1 1/2" long. Is the bike still OK to ride? I am trying to get my money back from the seller but I am not sure I will be successful. Could it be welded? I paid $200 for it as I am not ready to plop $700 - $800 down for a bike yet. I used to ride a steel hybrid and wanted to make the jump to a real road bike. Any feed back would be great. I know I took a risk with e-bay and am now kicking myself for it. It was dark when I picked it up but should have inspected it more closely. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BU

The bike is unsafe. Don't ride it, and do everything you can to get your money back. I wouldn't be surprised if your ebay pal knew about the crack.

I think there might be a lesson here about older aluminum frames in general ...

Sorry to say but the frame is toast. And unsafe.
For less than $150 you can get a new Al frame and swap the comps over.
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Get your money back from the seller, through eBay or your CC if you used one. Hopefully you used AmEx.

Take it back to the guy and offer him $50 for the components on it. Tell him the frame is trashed. Then Pick up a new frame for the components you got from the seller. Worth a try anyways.

I hate to hear stories like this. A new cyclist wants to try road riding and their first experience is not a good one.
BigUgly, most cyclists are really good, honest people who won't stick someone else with their problems. But there are a few who are not. I hope this does not discourage you from continuing your pursuit of cycling.

That comment hurts a little.

Heh. and here I just went ahead and purposely sought out a steel framed road bike because I wanted a "real road bike."

The frame broke because it is made of a material that does not rhyme with the word "real":p

I have to concur. I have broken more than my share of aluminum (and steel) components, as well.

Thanks folks for all your input. The seller agreed to refund my money and I am giving him the bike back. Seems like its working out. I will start searching again for a road bike I can afford.