Seeking expert advice: Al Frame crack after flight... will it break? [see pic]
05-31-09, 07:33 PM
#26
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Okay, thank you everyone for your input. Here's the current report:
I rode 300km with a load of some 35kg luggage plus me 75kg. I did notice two new and alarming things: a crackling noise coming from the rear part of the bike when under stress (ie. when climbing on a low gear), my guess is that it is both ends of the cracked frame rubbing against each other, and the other is that the rear tire is now almost rubbing against the lower right-side part of the frame which suggests that the frame is bent. What I'm thinking I will do now is try to arrive in Sevilla Spain and 'settle' for some time there while I can mail order a new frame, I have the time as I work and travel at the same time.
Thanks all for your suggestions and comments.
I rode 300km with a load of some 35kg luggage plus me 75kg. I did notice two new and alarming things: a crackling noise coming from the rear part of the bike when under stress (ie. when climbing on a low gear), my guess is that it is both ends of the cracked frame rubbing against each other, and the other is that the rear tire is now almost rubbing against the lower right-side part of the frame which suggests that the frame is bent. What I'm thinking I will do now is try to arrive in Sevilla Spain and 'settle' for some time there while I can mail order a new frame, I have the time as I work and travel at the same time.
Thanks all for your suggestions and comments.
06-01-09, 11:41 AM
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Aluminum is a funny metal. Sometimes it doesn't take much of a scratch to cause a stress crack. Odds are that the crack originated on the inside of hole where the insert is threaded into the aluminum, either from the stress of cut threads in aluminum, different rates of expansion and contraction of two metals or corrosion. This is why aircraft mfg.s have corrosion, structural inspection procedures, and life limited component requirements in place to catch stress caused problems like this. Without other damage like bent tubes this is not handling damage, just aluminum being aluminum.
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06-02-09, 05:45 AM
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Hey Kyle!, well this proves you right with yet another thing, the frame material!. Remember our discussions? so far I've: gotten fenders, gotten wider tires... replaced my brooks with one with springs, now the frame!!
I think I'll try the soldering as a temporary solution until I can crash somewhere nice for enough time to have a new frame shipped. Yes I will miss my frame, so many kms, but I don't want it failing catastrophically while in the middle of nowhere.
cheers mate!.
I think I'll try the soldering as a temporary solution until I can crash somewhere nice for enough time to have a new frame shipped. Yes I will miss my frame, so many kms, but I don't want it failing catastrophically while in the middle of nowhere.
cheers mate!.
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06-08-09, 02:56 AM
#29
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Ok, I ordered a thorn tour club frame from England. It will be arriving soon. My only problem now will be removing the bottom bracket 
I guess I should go on the look for a LBS.
Thanks everybody for your help.
I guess I should go on the look for a LBS.Thanks everybody for your help.
06-09-09, 04:00 AM
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Nice work, I guess a Thorn will be a good replacement! 
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06-09-09, 03:37 PM
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To me, i would say that the constant movement in the frame, going over bumps etc, will cause a stress in the frame up to the pannier bolt-in.
If it's going to go, that's where it will next go.
Trouble is, you don;t know when it will go, but at some point in the future, it will go. It's the nature of all metal, but alu esp.
If it's going to go, that's where it will next go.
Trouble is, you don;t know when it will go, but at some point in the future, it will go. It's the nature of all metal, but alu esp.
06-10-09, 12:49 PM
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I had a Bottechia that developed a crack through the down tube right below the lug,,half way up a very steep hill things got soft and I got off the bike to check it out,,,I didn't want to go down the same climb with 2/3 of the tube ready to go.
