Snapped frame repair (alu)

[Jesse Mulder]

I have this snapped commencal clash frame that I bought for cheap off a friend and was curious if this was in a repairable place or sensible option to repair.

[RobertWhitehead]

Funny enough, I had a Commencal that snapped at the exact spot, got it welded and touched up and I think it is still with us (Sold it on). It will cost you R1100 to get it fixed through Cycledelic - Annette

[DJR]

Common wisdom is that aluminium frames should not be welded to repair cracks because it cannot be heat treated after the repair. The new frame is heat treated after welding and before painting to stiffen and strengthen the aluminium. Therefore, with a welded repair you end up with the area directly next to the weld always softer and weaker than the rest of the frame, making the next crack inevitable.

My 2c

[NotSoBigBen]

54 minutes ago, DJR said:

Common wisdom is that aluminium frames should not be welded to repair cracks because it cannot be heat treated after the repair. The new frame is heat treated after welding and before painting to stiffen and strengthen the aluminium. Therefore, with a welded repair you end up with the area directly next to the weld always softer and weaker than the rest of the frame, making the next crack inevitable.

My 2c

Interestingly I have had mixed success with aluminum frame repairs. Sometimes I guess it's just where the crack is and other times just the luck of the draw?

Have a rear triangle and frame hanging in my garage both as you say just cracked 'behind' where they were welded 

I have a Trek Superfly with a repaired rear triangle, about 2 years ago, which I ride fairly often and *touches wood* so far so good. Also a hardtail Titan frame as a Gravel bike with a small repair on the top tube, not been riding it that long but seems OK 

Just had that Bianchi frame I was gifted here on the hub repaired, a small crack in the top tube .... just a fun build though so won't be riding that a lot or far

TLDR - it's a gamble, if I wasn't a "tinkerer" I probably wouldn't do it

[JoeMerida]

www.smartcoprojects.co.za

This Company can Fix That and do the fix so that it does not crack again.

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