Is this frame safe to ride?

[Dromen]

Some help for a friend. I'm not qualified to offer an opinion.

My large(220#) buddy, an aggressive racer/rider some how dented the top tube on his aluminum ride. Is this safe for a big guy who goes at it hard?

Just want this boy to make it to his 30th bday and well beyond.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[EDS]

I had an Aluminum frame with a dent on the top tube like that that I road for thousands of miles. Unless it starts sqeaking b/c of a crack I would ride it.

[William]

I'm not a frame doctor, and I don't play one on tv. That being said, I wouldn't worry about it. But, that's what I would do.:)






William

[veggieburger]

I'd say you're fine. That's not a super critical spot, or terrible dent.

[Louis]

I agree with the guys above - it's unlikely to be a problem. However, since it's in such an obvious location, it will be relatively easy to spot any crack(s) that might form.

[FlashUNC]

Ride it, but keep an eye on it.

[Pete Mckeon]

put a MAVIC sticker over it and have been riding for 3 years. When it gets worse or I Need a paint done... it will get fixed. Focus on looking for the below from EDS periodically. PETE


I had an Aluminum frame with a dent on the top tube like that that I road for thousands of miles. Unless it starts sqeaking b/c of a crack I would ride it.

[ultraman6970]

Doesnt look cracked, looks ok to me. Just put your eye on that if develops a crack over the time, maybe never will tho.

[thwart]

Doubt that tiny dent will cause any trouble.

But I would clean it up and paint it. No need to add a little sweat corrosion to an already weakened area. I doubt it will hide anything---if it starts to crack there (it won't) you'll see the paint buckle or crack as well.

[nervousderbes]

Yeah, you're fine to ride that.

[maunahaole]

You are getting good advice here. Clean it up and pot some paint on it. Sweat drops will make the metal corrode. Keep an eye on it for stress risers (that's a fancy name for a crack) spreading. You may want to use a dissimalar color so that you have an indicator as to where the dent is now, so that if you see any propogation away from there, then you know that it is starting to fail.

[ultraman6970]

Another detail, that paint cracked doesn't mean the metal is cracked or cracking ok? So if what ever you put in there cracks at some point always remove it and inspect the metal underneath.

[eippo1]

Looks like that's from the bars coming around and nailing the top tube. Did he lay the bike down? A friend did that and still rode the bike hard for another year while crashing it 2 more times with the last one snapping the chain stay.

[rwsaunders]

Put it on Ebay and claim that this bike is rumored to be the Trek that LA wrecked in Spain when he broke his collar bone...

[ultraman6970]

Hahaha...

[lukeheller]

Minimal frame stress on the top tube, no worries