Bicycle or Decoration?
 

Pretty sure I just bought a decoration for my wall, but thought I would check with those actually qualified to make that determination. I have been trying to find a Merz edition Allez SE for a minute now, found one for a song, saw the issues, but was worth more than the ask just for the parts.

I did my best to document issues, but always hard to capture these

Didn't love this one, but didn't worry me
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c9358772a0.jpg

This one, on the other hand, seemed concerning, looks creased?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...efabdd78bc.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...812558a182.jpg

don't think it is safe/smart to ride? I will add a link to more pics

Link to more pics - https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/e...um_id=32063486

I think the shadow in this pic tells the unfortunate tale!

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a56c4489e3.jpg

I wouldnt give up on keeping it rideable. The top tube dent would likely roll out with tubing blocks. If the seatstay is just a bit dented but not structurally bent/bowed you could infill the dent, either with auto body filler, jb weld epoxy or fill with bronze braze. Paint would be affected but it looks like it needs some paint touch-up already.

That's fine, I think. Unless I'm missing something.

Ride that bike. I have ridden bikes for decades with dents in the top tube and down tube as well as a bent stay from getting hit by a car (1986 Miyata 310 seat stay very bent, but I straightened it to an acceptable degree and it kept on going). It's steel and it's real. Not as fragile as Aluminum or carbon and can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c0e7173aa7.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fb6d9c07d6.jpg

It's not pretty, but it's certainly safe to ride. People bend stays way more than that on purpose.

+1 for it looks fine. People put much bigger dimples in chainstays all the time, and also drill top-tubes for internal cables (a hole is much worse than a dent, which just reduces the stiffness a bit in that spot).

The kink has probably shortened the stay by a wee bit. I would straighten it out thinking of how to isolate the bending back.
check the alignment carefully, probably best before and after. I am thinking with a fresh set of wheels in also.
roll the top tube dent out and a swipe or two of bondo and done.
of course no powder coat easy solution for a repaint.

honest value after to anyone else? Not much. As a bike to use, plus, plus.

What ever is done with this bike it really needs to have a rider who knows which way to use a QR. That rear lever has been "wing nutted". If the front is too than I suggest the least of the OP's worries are the dented frame, which I agree with in being only cosmetic in nature. Andy

Good catch, but no worries, I flipped the QR lever out of the way so I could get the straight edge in place.

Just realized there was no pictures of the "bike", here you go
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e39569539a.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2693dd556.jpg