Crack in ally frame

[jaaki]

Just saw this crack yesterday.

 

Took it to a local aluminium place and they don't want to touch it.

 

Is there someone that I can contact about this?

 

I'm in Stellenbosch

[Wannabe]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but that frame is FUBAR.

Get yourself a new one (is it at least insured / you the first owner)

[rouxtjie]

There is a reason they dont want to touch this...because the fix although on the surface will look solid might not be...and do you want to find that out doing 40km/h plus going down some rocky path.

 

gooi weg / claim for insurance / warrantee

 

Those are really your only options

[jaaki]

I'm not the first owner, been riding it for a year and took a tumble in jonkers a weak ago (really embarrassingly slow tumble )

Did get the bike insured though.

[rouxtjie]

I'm not the first owner, been riding it for a year and took a tumble in jonkers a weak ago (really embarrassingly slow tumble )

Did get the bike insured though.

Then you are golden....put that claim in and get a new bike...that frame is toast

[Eugene]

Make sure the insurers know the crack is due to the fall. They won't pay out on wear and tear.

[feetup]

Make sure the insurers know the crack is due to the fall. They won't pay out on wear and tear.

or if it's a Giant(just kidding)

[BogusOne]

Gooi maar weg of sit n groot vet hose clamp om

[Grebel]

I would weld it and make sure the seatpost is inserted in far enough. You could touch that up with rattle can paint if you don't mind the Rat Bike look or take the opportunity to respray the frame. It isn't really in a stressful area (Provided you have enough post in the frame...) so it should be fine.

 

Edit: after you have it welded DON'T grind/file off the welding.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Grebel

[Andymann]

I would weld it and make sure the seatpost is inserted in far enough. You could touch that up with rattle can paint if you don't mind the Rat Bike look or take the opportunity to respray the frame. It isn't really in a stressful area (Provided you have enough post in the frame...) so it should be fine.

 

Edit: after you have it welded DON'T grind/file off the welding.

I agree with the above - a good alu-welder will be able to repair that - drill the ends of the crack so that they don't spread, and weld. As long as your seatpost is in far enough it will be fine. If you were in Pta, I know an ex-SAA welder who has done some pretty awesome stuff for me.

[Aluman]

look at cutting on the crack and move the clamp down

[Wannabe]

Alu always crack next to the welds. These frames are heat treated, welding alters / changes / negatively effects the Alu's integrity.

Will not trust it.

[G00SE]

Ali bike frames are heat treated, so if you just weld it and don't have it re heat treated up to its original spec it will actually weaken the affected area. It also needs to be welded up using the same alloy as the frame (probably 6061)

How feasible it is to have it welded and heat treated, I don't know...

I also have a cracked frame that i need fixed so I have done a bit of investigation, but most answers are the same as what everyone else are saying.

I have a number I got from my LBS of a guy that has apparently done this, but I havent spoken to him yet.

I can give you his number if you want, but he is in PTA.

[Li Mu Bai]

Make sure the insurers know the crack is due to the fall. They won't pay out on wear and tear.

What he said. You must make it clear that the damage was a direct result of a HUGE tumble etc, otherwise insurance will merely tell you to go sort it out yourself with the manufacturer

 

Seat clamp crack are often to do with seatposts not put in deep enough into the seat tube, or clamps not tightened properly.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Li Mu Bai