General Discussion Triathlon Talk » HELP - Dented Top Tube!! Rss Feed  
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2009-08-16 12:57 PM

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Austin, TX
Subject: HELP - Dented Top Tube!!
My wife was just out in our shed and, while out there, a naked frame (no components or wheels) fell from the top of some shelving onto my tri bike.  (Mind you, when I say tri bike, I'm talking about a converted road bike.  It may not be carbon or top-of-the-line, but it's my ride and I like it.)  I'm guessing she bumped some lower shelving that made the naked frame unstable and drop, but it's my own d*** fault for putting the naked frame on top of the shelving to begin with.

My tri bike was leaning up against the same shelving holding the bike frame. The bike is a 2000 Kona Haole with Shimano wheels, Easton bars, upgraded Ultegra components, etc.  According to BikePedia, the frame is Easton SC7000 Scandium alloy.

When the other bike frame fell on it, it left a good size dent (a little larger than the size of a quarter) and some paint damage on the top tube.  There's also a tiny dent near this larger one, but it's not visible in the picture.  Anyway, here's the biggie...


Dented Top Tube

I'm not worried about the paint... that can be touched up and could be repainted at a later time.  I am worried about the frame, though.  I'm worried that this type of dent could cause a catastrophic failure and crumple in on itself.  It's not huge, but I don't know if riding a frame like this is safe.

So... WHAT DO I DO?  is this something that maybe a good body shop could pound out from the inside by means of going in through the opening at the top of the downtube? 

Any and all advice is welcome... but buying a new tri bike isn't really an option now.

-Joel


2009-08-16 1:04 PM
in reply to: #2351504

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Southern Pines, NC
Subject: RE: HELP - Dented Top Tube!!
Catastrophic failures due to top tube dents are pretty uncommon, but that's a big enough dent that I would feel neither warm nor fuzzy riding it hard.

Al/Scandium frames aren't quite beer can-thin like Cannondales, but they're close. I'd look into a new frame, personally--it's definitely a conservative thing, but I'm worth a lot more to my family than the cost of a new frame. I hope.


Edited by DrPete 2009-08-16 1:04 PM
2009-08-16 9:29 PM
in reply to: #2351504

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Halifax, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: HELP - Dented Top Tube!!
I had a Cannondale beer can fly off the roof at 65mph on my way to New Hampshire (and a race) because the idiot loading the bikes screwed up. Dumb Canadians. Broke the fork and  left a top tube dent similar to yours.  I had the frame measured for bend at a cyclery in New Hampshire, and it was still within Cannondale tolerances. 6 years later that bike is still going strong as a daily commuter though now retired from racing. I would suggest having a trustworthy bike mechanic check for frame alignment and go with that opinion. 
2009-08-16 9:37 PM
in reply to: #2351504

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Subject: RE: HELP - Dented Top Tube!!
Keep an eye on it. I had a dent in my top tube from a crash. I rode it like that for almost a year and a crack formed in the dent and was progressively getting bigger until I finally replaced the frame. If a crack does form take it to a welding shop and have them TIG weld it.

I am going to have my frame fixed and pass it on to my son.
2009-08-16 9:37 PM
in reply to: #2351504

Veteran
251
1001002525
Subject: RE: HELP - Dented Top Tube!!
Keep an eye on it. I had a dent in my top tube from a crash. I rode it like that for almost a year and a crack formed in the dent and was progressively getting bigger until I finally replaced the frame. If a crack does form take it to a welding shop and have them TIG weld it.

I am going to have my frame fixed and pass it on to my son.
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