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I Think My Frame is Cracked
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 2008-10-06 3:09 PM |
Expert  1183    Fort Wayne, IN |  Subject: I Think My Frame is Crackedi was riding today and realized my seat was not staying up. I tried tightening it and putting in an aluminum shim, but it still won't stay up. I inspected the frame and it looks like there is a small crack just under the seat post clamp. I'm not sure what to do. The frame is 32 years old and I suspect it can't be repaired, and I'm not really in the position to buy a new bike. Crap. |
| 2008-10-06 3:31 PM in reply to: #1721571 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked EBay or Carigslist or local classifieds can find you a decent older frame/fork or even complete bike for less than $100 if you look around. I bought a $1,200 (new at least it would be) Torrelli frame built by Mondonico for $250 plus shipping from EBay a few years ago. Beautiful used steel frame/fork for dirt cheap in pristine shape. Not saying you need to spend that much, but you can certainly find something to replace your broken one "on the cheap." |
| 2008-10-06 3:52 PM in reply to: #1721571 |
Elite 2527  Armpit of Ontario | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked nickster - 2008-10-06 4:09 PM i was riding today and realized my seat was not staying up. I tried tightening it and putting in an aluminum shim, but it still won't stay up. I inspected the frame and it looks like there is a small crack just under the seat post clamp. I'm not sure what to do. The frame is 32 years old and I suspect it can't be repaired, and I'm not really in the position to buy a new bike. Crap. Why not take it to a fabrication/welding shop to find out for sure. If it's a chromoly frame, it can likely be fixed. I have a beater MTB with the seatpost clamp long since disappeared, and had only rust holding the seatpost in place. When it started slipping I put the seatpost in the position I wanted it and had it welded in place. She's a beaut!
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| 2008-10-06 3:53 PM in reply to: #1721571 |
Extreme Veteran 391 Olive Branch, MS | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked nickster - 2008-10-06 3:09 PM i was riding today and realized my seat was not staying up. I tried tightening it and putting in an aluminum shim, but it still won't stay up. I inspected the frame and it looks like there is a small crack just under the seat post clamp. I'm not sure what to do. The frame is 32 years old and I suspect it can't be repaired, and I'm not really in the position to buy a new bike. Crap. Call the manufacturer. I've heard stories of reputable manuf totally replacing even very old frames. |
| 2008-10-06 6:28 PM in reply to: #1721770 |
Expert 1183 Fort Wayne, IN | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked Good news. I took the frame to my LBS and what I thought was a crack was only in the paint. The problem was I was raising my seat higher and the seat post, which was not original equipment, was really too small. I'm getting a larger seat post and and should be back in business. Twenty bucks instead of a new bike. |
| 2008-10-06 6:30 PM in reply to: #1721571 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked You might have trouble with replacing the frame. Modern frames are wider than older ones. By moving from 5 to 10 speed cassettes, the frame got wider in the process. Aluminum, carbon fiber and even some steel simply can't "squeeze shut" to incorporate the older narrower drivetrain. I like the "find a welder" idea. Cheap, easy and likely going to work out. In an extreme case, you might be able to buy a new seattube and weld a new tube where the cracked one was. Google around. You might find someone local. I know of 5-6 bicycle manufacturers in New England who could do this. Not sure of cost though. |
| 2008-10-06 7:12 PM in reply to: #1722133 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked A decent builder can also widen the frame. We had a local guy (John Hollands) who would do it for about $75 or so and then you could run 135mm axles in it. But he got out of frame building to do pipe organ stuff. Strange change in job focus, but he was really successful at both (used to have a 6 month to year wait for his frames). |
| 2008-10-06 8:14 PM in reply to: #1721571 |
Extreme Veteran 448 | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked Glad to hear that bike is OK. That was (still is) one pretty bike. I love the oldies! |
| 2008-10-07 4:49 AM in reply to: #1722460 |
Expert 1183 Fort Wayne, IN | Subject: RE: I Think My Frame is Cracked It's in the shop. I'll post more pictures when it gets back. |
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