Alright yeah I know this looks stupid but this top tube dent should be perfectly save to ride, yeah? I wanna buy this frame but I need to be certain.
Vivalo NJS KEIRIN Track Frame Set 57cm | eBay

I see indications of rusting. So, although the dent may not be a structural problem, I would not buy that frame.

Aww butthe rusting isn't that bad is it?

Depends. If it's just external surface rust, then it's not a problem. But if it's rusting through from the inside, then that's serious. Remember that Keirin racing is done in the rain, and that bottom bracket is not sealed, so water can get inside. Anyways, that frame just looks all beat to ****, but whatevs.

Augh you're right, it's probably not quite worth it, thanks

That's safe to ride but pretty unsightly.
It's very common to see crash dented retired-NJS framesets on ebay for cheap, especially top tube dented ones from track drops swinging around and knicking the top tube when it is forcibly laid down in a crash.
Cheap because they no longer pass NJS race inspection, therefore being useless and worth only its value in scrap for racers.

~Nevertheless, Vivalo is the only framebuilder to lose their NJS certification.
For structural issues with their framesets, in particular their forks.
Here's an example that hits close to SS/FG: https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...-failures.html

Aw man this just gets worse and worse

Well, at least you didn't buy it already and then post it here asking if you got a good deal.

Yup, looks like I'll just stick with the Flite 100 I've had my eye on

#kiloTT

True true, but a Flite 100 is the same thing and I'm getting it with headset and seatpost for $195

only losers get kilo tts.

that frame is junk, anyone trying to sell that is not right and if you buy it, you are not right,
The inside of that tube is split
and by the way IT IS NOT SAFE TO RIDE

I wouldn't ride that frame if it was free.

$315 is a lot of money for a frame with such a big dent.

I wouldn't worry too much about the few spots of rust, but it is a bit bothersome that it seems to be rusting from below the paint.

There are a few methods for dent removal.

1) Tube replacement
2) Rolling the Dent with blocks (and repainting)
3) Someone suggested freezing with water somewhere.

Maybe if the frame was free... with $50 shipping... but that seems unlikely coming from Japan.

I agree. It has two serious dents... they're sharp, not smooth. That's potential serious damage. Seeing the paint bubble in so many places where there's no nicks - that's another red flag. That thing is scrap metal. They buy that stuff buy the ton, so if you could find 20 more just like it, you might be able to make 2 bits. I don't have a lot of experience with frames, but one of my first bikes was a Fuji Berkely (with valite tubing, whatever that is..) and when I got a new bike, it ended up leaned up on the side of a barn for almost 20 years... Long story short... that frame looked tons better than this one. Did they store it in the ocean?

E: Actually, except for some fading on the paint (which was still shiny) the frame looked pretty good. Someone got industrious and decided to get rid of my stuff... at least I have my memories. Point being, someone should pay you to haul that thing away not charge you.

I'm willing to bet that the headset, and the BB are seized in that frame. If that bike was $100, then maybe. But 200+114 to ship, no way. There are tons more options out there. That dent is nothing. On a decent, less sketchy bike, you could probably ride it for a few more years. I had an 80's Fuji track frame that was dented in the same spot and i rode it for three years before giving it away to someone who rode it for a couple more years, at least.

But would you ride it if it were free...AND...all your other bikes were stolen...AND...you were totally broke and unemployed?

I'd take it on as a "project" if it was FREE.

I'd probably ride a bike with a dent like that if it was FREE.... Although maybe not a Fixie????

One of the problems is that it is pretty quick to invest $100 or $200 worth of parts.... and suddenly the free frame becomes a couple hundred dollar bike.

Working in a bike shop, I've seen bikes come with dents from new, normally we send them back for new ones, but one time we were offered a decent discount on one, and so we kept it and sold it cheap. The dent was a lot smaller than that one, and 7 weeks later, snapped clean in half on the dent doing 25mph+. luckily the rider was unharmed, but it could've been a lot worse. We actively avoid dents now. and so should everyone else.

You could try this:

https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...nt-repair.html

I saw that a while ago. I may have to hunt for a bicycle that would be appropriate to try that on. I have a couple of small dents on my Colnago... and may fill them if I ever repaint. But, don't think I'd risk the water treatment on it. Maybe I'll find another frame sometime needing the freezing treatment.

However, the question here was whether the OP should pay nearly $400 for a bare frame with a HUGE dent in the top tube as well as some odd bubbling rust spots. I don't know anything about the Vivalo brand, but nobody here thinks it is even remotely a good idea to buy.

No, because I'd never be broke and unemployed.