CrimsonEclipse

No, it is not REMOTELY safe.
I wouldn't even consider this frame unless I knew an absolutely top notch welder experienced in Ti (which I don't)

I suppose you should enjoy your components I guess

Camilo

Yeah, buyer beware to a certain extent. But a major flaw like that should be disclosed. To not do it is consciously dishonest, imho.

I'd contact Lynskey - you should have done this already. Why wouldn't you before this forum?

Bald Paul

Does FB Marketplace offer any sort of buyer protection, sort of like eBay? The seller clearly did not disclose the crack, which is a safety issue. And no, I would not ride that.

Sy Reene

The full story isn't entirely clear, but this was a Craigslist ad and post #10 makes me think this was an in-person purchase from the seller of an as-is item. I would still disclose something like this, but I don't think this was a case of an online purchase and/or a photo of the relevant area wasn't provided, etc.

RH Clark

The reason I don't own a titanium bike.

Paul Barnard

If you intend to ignore the counsel of the masses, why do you seek it?

The seller said that it wouldn't crack anymore. Really? Why did it magically stop where it did?

FWIW, the Lysnsey warranty only applies to the original purchaser.

amazinmets73

I know. Hence why I'm so confused as to why so many people are suggesting I send the bike to Lynskey. Sure, they could probably fix it, but considering the warranty has been voided, there are surely more economic options.

amazinmets73

Not Craigslist. FB marketplace. The seller provided photos in which the crack wasn't visible; I arranged to meet him and purchased item. I didn't notice the crack until the following day, at which point I contacted the seller and he acknowledged he was aware of the crack.

raqball 

Do what you want as it's your bones, safety and life but I would not ride that bike..

Mojo31

If the seller said he would take it back, do that!

Otherwise, slap some duct tape on it and go. YMMV

smd4

Assuming the crack propagates the entire length of the head tube, unbeknownst to the rider, during a ride. What do people think will happen? The fork will magically fall out? The headset will explode in a fire ball? The front wheel will disengage from the fork and roll along its merry way?

Obviously a cracked frame is somewhat less than ideal. I’d be pissed. But seriously, what is the worst case scenario here?

unterhausen

I think the steering will get pretty wobbly at some point in the near future. I am not a Ti welder, but I think this can be fixed fairly easily. But I would ask a good ti welder that does repairs. I'm not sure lynsky is your best bet. OP doesn't list a location, but Ti welders that do repairs can be found around the U.S.

Do not do any of the hack repairs suggested above, especially if they involve adhesives. Sheesh. A stop hole by itself only weakens the tube. It doesn't really help if the crack is welded, but the effects are removed.

WhyFi

Dying and not being able to post a follow-up to tell us that we were right.

smd4

And just how, exactly, would this “dying” occur?

79pmooney

I just flashed on how I'd do the repair. JB Weld the crack, pull the headset cup out while the JB is wet. Now fiberglass a carbonfiber strip around the headtube. using epoxy resin. I used to build fiberglass boats and have those skills. Did a much more extensive CF repair once on a cracked steel frame and turned it into the stiffest BB'd Peugeot ever. A perfect place for CF. In pure tension, never anything else. Since the fiber is wrapped to itself (with several loops around) it's bond to the titanium almost doesn't matter at all.

But I have those skills. I won't pretend I can relay them over the internet. I could do a repair neat enough to be fully visible and nothing to be ashamed of. (I also have so many projects lined up I am not volunteering to do this!)

smd4

Oh, for sure. You should read the wailing, gnashing of teeth and dire warnings of impending doom whenever I say I pump up my tires to 140 psi.

Milton Keynes

And I bet a little old lady just used rode the bike to church once a week, too. I'd definitely not ride that bike, but maybe it's just me being leery after kissing the pavement last fall due to a mechanical failure on a bike. I'd rather not go through that again, so I'd pass on riding that bike.

WhyFi

Unrecoverable physical trauma would be my bet.

raqball 

What exactly do you think the outcome would be of it completely failing durning a high speed descent while cornering hard?

smd4

Not much. Something akin to a loose headset. What exactly do you think would happen?

amazinmets73

As previously stated, I purchased a titanium frame with a minor dent for dirt cheap 5 years ago. It's been lovely and is my favorite bike. Every member here who gave an opinion advised against purchasing it. It's similar to when I tell people I drive old cars to avoid car payments and they start clucking about safety standards. We've become a society of pampered wusses.

amazinmets73

Would you care to provide any evidence as to how the crack would lead to unrecoverable physical trauma?

raqball 

LOL.. Nothing else to say.. If you'd feel safe riding that bike then by all means pedal onwards.. Me? PASS!

You are giving TERRIBLE and UNSAFE advice...

amazinmets73

Your argument is: "The bike is unsafe. You're risking your life riding it. Anyone who advises otherwise is giving unsafe advice"

However, when probed to expand on your argument and provide detailed evidence as to why it's unsafe, your responses become evasive.

Why is that?

raqball 

I already put forth a case of why it's dangerous.. The other person claims that the worse case is you get a loose headset if it completely fails.. Do you really not understand how that could cause a crash when descending and cornering hard at hight speed? If not then I really don't have anything left to say...