Seat tube dents, aluminimum frame.
07-07-10, 02:29 PM
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Seat tube dents, aluminimum frame.
Any ideas whether an inch-wide dent in the middle of the seat tube (non-drive side) of a CAAD9 would compromise the strength of the frame?
07-07-10, 02:36 PM
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No, the seat tube merely cosmetic. It is a design affectation that is only retained to please the conservative UCI. (See the too-fast-for-competition Trek Y-Foil.)
07-07-10, 02:41 PM
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Ok, I was joking. Of course, a dent is bad. If you post a picture (properly exposed and in focus, please), we can all weigh in on how dangerous we feel it is...
07-07-10, 03:01 PM
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If it's just a dent, I wouldn't worry. It's an additional failure point, but no biggie.
If the dent has creasing, I'd worry a bit more. It's likely to fail there at some future point. I'd still ride on it until it does, though.
FWIW, I've been riding my aluminum Specialized Allez with two big ol' dents in the top tube for over a year.
If the dent has creasing, I'd worry a bit more. It's likely to fail there at some future point. I'd still ride on it until it does, though.
FWIW, I've been riding my aluminum Specialized Allez with two big ol' dents in the top tube for over a year.
07-07-10, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Phantoj
Ok, I was joking. Of course, a dent is bad. If you post a picture (properly exposed and in focus, please), we can all weigh in on how dangerous we feel it is...
This is a purchase-related question, so keep in mind that giving people bad advice because you thought it was funny could cost someone hundreds of dollars, or worse.
07-07-10, 04:08 PM
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That looks pretty serious. I wouldn't ride it.
07-07-10, 04:14 PM
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If it failed it wouldn't be catastrophic but would start with a crack, JMHO. Looks ugly though.
07-07-10, 04:14 PM
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Man, I've dented me share of frames both steel and aluminum and I've always replaced them. Even after researching and reading tons of threads and speaking to people I trust, it seems to always be a 50/50 shot.
07-07-10, 05:02 PM
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Oh Hell no.
Life is too short to save a few bucks and run crap like that. It is probably fine (I have ridden a Cannondale MTB with worse dents, but I put them there). That is a deadlined frame. If you put the dent in yourself, then ride it, but that is someone else's dent. Walk away, trust me.
Life is too short to save a few bucks and run crap like that. It is probably fine (I have ridden a Cannondale MTB with worse dents, but I put them there). That is a deadlined frame. If you put the dent in yourself, then ride it, but that is someone else's dent. Walk away, trust me.
07-07-10, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Erzulis Boat
If you put the dent in yourself, then ride it, but that is someone else's dent. Walk away.
