Crack on DT near BB
04-15-12, 11:28 PM
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Is this a crack on my Ironman's downtube?
Hello C&V,
Please check this picture out. I think it's a crack on my Ironman frame. Should I be worried? I cannot feel the line.
Please check this picture out. I think it's a crack on my Ironman frame. Should I be worried? I cannot feel the line.
Last edited by JDMKidBill; 04-15-12 at 11:33 PM.
04-17-12, 12:38 AM
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scratch from brush?
I would not freak out yet, its not the normal direction of a crack, and as you said you cant feel it, paint over it and see if the crack comes back thru the paint, you can also mark the ends of it to see if it grows.
my opinion is you scraped it on something and did not know it.
my opinion is you scraped it on something and did not know it.
04-17-12, 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by puchfinnland
I would not freak out yet, its not the normal direction of a crack, and as you said you cant feel it, paint over it and see if the crack comes back thru the paint, you can also mark the ends of it to see if it grows.
my opinion is you scraped it on something and did not know it.
my opinion is you scraped it on something and did not know it.
04-17-12, 03:42 AM
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Get some cleaning wax, Mothers makes a good product, and have at the apparent crack. It could be just color transfer from a near scrape. Can't hurt to try that method first. If that does not work...
Clean the paint off where you think the paint is. If it is a crack, then in my opinion, you do have a concern. I would not ride a bicycle with a cracked frame, but that is just me.
Clean the paint off where you think the paint is. If it is a crack, then in my opinion, you do have a concern. I would not ride a bicycle with a cracked frame, but that is just me.
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04-17-12, 05:40 AM
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As mentioned it could be transfer from something else. Drag your fingernail across it, does it 'catch'? If the paint is cracked I'd sand away a small spot and for a crack in the metal. If the metal's cracked it's toast.
04-17-12, 05:44 AM
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I agre I think it is just a scratch from something but strange things happen. I have similar lines down the back of the seattube on my MAX frame because anything that gets on the tire rubs the tube. I agree with the above methods to detect for sure if it is a crack.
A good cleaning of the bike and the affected area and a cleaning wax as Randy recomends. If you your try the paint method just use some model paint or nailpolish that is a close match. you can either paint over the entire area where the line appears or put a line across each end and one or two in the middle. After a good hard ride if the line does not appear in the painted lines you don't have a crack.
A good cleaning of the bike and the affected area and a cleaning wax as Randy recomends. If you your try the paint method just use some model paint or nailpolish that is a close match. you can either paint over the entire area where the line appears or put a line across each end and one or two in the middle. After a good hard ride if the line does not appear in the painted lines you don't have a crack.
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04-17-12, 07:01 AM
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I admit I don't like the look of it!
But I wouldn't worry too much. The question I would ask is: how bad is 'worst case scenario'? When the bike is being ridden, that tube is mostly under tension. If the bottom of the tube is cracked, even if it's bad enough to completely open up so you can see into the tube, it will still hold that tension. I think the bike would get a floppy and wobbly feeling, especially when you're pedaling hard, but I don't think it would fail in a catastrophic manner.
But I wouldn't worry too much. The question I would ask is: how bad is 'worst case scenario'? When the bike is being ridden, that tube is mostly under tension. If the bottom of the tube is cracked, even if it's bad enough to completely open up so you can see into the tube, it will still hold that tension. I think the bike would get a floppy and wobbly feeling, especially when you're pedaling hard, but I don't think it would fail in a catastrophic manner.
04-19-12, 09:03 PM
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I've had it checked out, and the bike mechanic said it's not a crack. Will clean my bike this weekend, and I'll see if it comes off. What's an effective way to clean my bike? Remove EVERYTHING, including the chain? :/ I don't like chain breaking.
