Trek 9 Aluminium frame - seat post frame break (clamp area) - repair / replacement advice needed

[Gravaviel]

Hi,

I recently broke my frame up where the seat post is clamped (cracking the rear supports) because I had my seat post up too high.

There has been another post on here regarding frame repair, however the nature of my break is somewhat more benign.

My need for advice would be along the lines of -

1. Can this be reliably repaired (especially if I get a slightly longer seat post that sits further down)?
2. Is a large frame enough for my height (1.83m) if I'm having seat post length issues?
3. With regards to replacing the frame if repair is not an option, if an identical frame (2012 Fuel Ex 9) is not available or economically viable, are there any other frames I could expect my components to fit?
4. Other than the above, is there any advice anyone would like to add (my bike is insured, however I am not sure if this minor break would be covered or how to convince them the frame is a write-off if it is

(If at all relevant, I am located in Pretoria).

 

 

 

[Skinnyone]

1. Yes, it may be a bit of a mission to get the seat tube reamed correctly so the seatpost fits snug again.

 

2. Essentially yes, if you need a longer post than what the bike came specced with then it may be too small for you.

 

3. From what I can tell you have a Top Fuel and not an EX - also from what I can see, that is an older rocker link - circa 2008 not 2012. Anyways, finding a replacement 26er frame shouldn't be impossible.

 

4. You could always get your LBS to state that it is not safe to ride even after the repair and thus claim from insurance - not exactly the 100% truth tho...

[Gravaviel]

Thanks Skinnyone - sounds like a repair is the way to go.
Any idea where I could find someone to repair it for me (or where to start asking)?

[Gravaviel]

Thanks Skinnyone - sounds like a repair is the way to go.
Any idea where I could find someone to repair it for me (or where to start asking)?

[Skinnyone]

A decent engineering shop should have an aluminum welder on their contacts list or sometimes in-house...

[popcorn_skollie]

You could always get your LBS to state that it is not safe to ride even after the repair and thus claim from insurance - not exactly the 100% truth tho...

 

There is no need to co-hearse a LBS into justifying a favorable insurance claim. 

It is unsafe to ride and impractical to repair. Its not like he's welding up a gusset between the top and downtube. The area in question requires tolerances within literal fractions of millimeters for the seatpost and clamp to fit. Welding would screw that up for sure. 

 

Gravaviel. 

 

Try and get your hands on a new frame. I'm going to assume its a 26er with 135mm qr rear dropouts, a 68/73mm threaded bb and a straight 1+1/8 steerer tube. Another 26er frame with a qr rear should be fine. If the headtube is tapered just replace the bottom headset assembly, if the bb shell is press fit just get another bb to match existing cranks. But if the dropouts aren't 135mm qr you're looking at a new hub, lacing up the rear wheel and all that shibang. Which could get pricey. So see whats on offer first.

 

My advice. Claim. I'm not sure about the details of your cover. But since you can't get a replacement 26er frame through insurance. They should sort you out with a new bike.

[Eugene]

I'm no welder or engineer, but from what I've read on the Hub, welding an aluminum frame is not an option. There have been a few threads on this.

 

I too would claim from insurance and as mentioned earlier, they would probably replace the whole bike.

 

If you don't want to go that route, you will probably pick up a second hand frame for less than what they will charge you to weld.

 

For eg, there is a nice Mongoose Otero for R1600 somewhere here on the Hub.

[V12man]

Contact Ampandy on the hub - see if he can sort it for you - might or might not be economically viable to repair it, but it's certainly repairable.

 

Cant really see an insurer paying out if you used the wrong seatpost length - self inflicted really...

[King_Crispy]

School fees.

Bin it and buy a new one. It'll only break again after you weld it.

As V12man says, I doubt insurance will pay for it. It's not right to claim in the first place anyways

[Eugene]

School fees.

Bin it and buy a new one. It'll only break again after you weld it.

As V12man says, I doubt insurance will pay for it. It's not right to claim in the first place anyways

Why wouldn't insurance pay. If you reverse your car into a wall, it's your fault for not looking. They will still cover the damage. Why would a bike be any different?

[King_Crispy]

Why wouldn't insurance pay. If you reverse your car into a wall, it's your fault for not looking. They will still cover the damage.If you were pissed they wouldn't. Why woul7d a bike be any different?

Because if your tyres were smooth the claim would be repudiated.

Same as the seatpost being extended past its recommended mark.

[Shebeen]

Answering the first question, it looks like your frame broke because your seat post was too short, not your frame too small.

 

But that depends on how long your seatpost is. How long?

[CJ Van]

Why wouldn't insurance pay. If you reverse your car into a wall, it's your fault for not looking. They will still cover the damage. Why would a bike be any different?

 

For the insurance to pay there must have been an insurable event.  If you reverse your car into a wall, that is the insurable event and you would be covered even if you were negligent.  If your frame cracks due to fatigue there is no insurable event and you have no claim. 

[Eugene]

 

For the insurance to pay there must have been an insurable event. If you reverse your car into a wall, that is the insurable event and you would be covered even if you were negligent. If your frame cracks due to fatigue there is no insurable event and you have no claim.

100% correct. In this case the frame did not crack due to fatigue. The seat post was set too high. This is the insurable event, in my opinion that lead to the crack.

[CJ Van]

100% correct. In this case the frame did not crack due to fatigue. The seat post was set too high. This is the insurable event, in my opinion that lead to the crack.

Nope, this is not an insurable event.  The seat post was set too high and the bike was used over and over for an certain period causing the frame to fatigue over time and eventually crack. There is no specific event at a specific time that caused the damage, rather the incorrect use over a period of time.  No way the insurance will pay for that.

[CdT85]

I'm no welder or engineer, but from what I've read on the Hub, welding an aluminum frame is not an option. There have been a few threads on this.

 

I too would claim from insurance and as mentioned earlier, they would probably replace the whole bike.

 

If you don't want to go that route, you will probably pick up a second hand frame for less than what they will charge you to weld.

 

For eg, there is a nice Mongoose Otero for R1600 somewhere here on the Hub.

 

I have had 2 aluminum frames welded before, one was my teocali, the other was my girlfriend's tyax. both still fuctional 3 years later, no issues.

The tyax has a similar tear by the seat clamp, managed to find a proper engineering shop to fix it for me via a contact.

 

On the Otero frame, thanx bud, its my frame but unfortunately only a medium. the OP is 1.83 from his original post. Frame will be to small for him.