is there any hope for this little peg?

[AngryScientist]

this is a cool little bike that looks to have been ridden pretty hard. regrettably there is clearly a fatal crack in the HT. given its pedigree and cool paint, i wonder if it would be worth it for someone to repair?

anyone know about the markings on it? was this an amateur race bike? never seen another LOVE#3 like this one. i like it!


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/q~4AAOSwoDlbw-Fm/s-l1200.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/XtYAAOSwpY5bw-Fr/s-l1200.jpg

[livingminimal]

My limited knowledge of metalurgy aside (my pawpaw is an ace welder, but I never did much of it myself), I dont think I personally would ride too many cracked and repaired metal bikes, let alone one with a crack there...

NOW ITS ART!

[velotrack]

yeah, that's wall art.
that's an awesome paint job though.

[macaroon]

Drill a hole at the end of the crack; might stop it from spreading.

[macaroon]

Or, just cut the top of the head tube off.

[weisan]

https://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/bandaging_from_head_to_toe_slideshow/webmd_rm_photo_of_bandage_on_open_cut.jpg

[thegunner]

part of me wants to buy it, and chase it down so there's no dropped TT.

i could slam it and look OH SO PRO.

[livingminimal]

part of me wants to buy it, and chase it down so there's no dropped TT.

i could slam it and look OH SO PRO.

I mean for real Dario's HTs are quite big. Im running a -20 on mine.

[thegunner]

I mean for real Dario's HTs are quite big. Im running a -20 on mine.

so you're saying it's a good idea. :banana:

[velotrack]

part of me wants to buy it, and chase it down so there's no dropped TT.

i could slam it and look OH SO PRO.

i feel like the thought of the crack having been there (and possibly lower in the headtube being compromised despite no visible marks) would bother me every time i descended, rode in a group, etc. so even if i could... not sure i would.

[ftf]

This is a bike from a “pro” team, nerac to be exact.

[PJN]

Cut the head tube down, ream and ride on.

You could also weld up the crack (and re-age the frame) but that would ruin the paint...

[ftf]

This frame while probably a real peg, might not be I know at least one person on this team had a frame built by a different frame builder and then painted to look like this because they hated the actual peg that was given to them.

[Dino Suegiù]

That is a "Nerac" team paint. Here is a photos from GITA Bike (maybe even the same, it looks very small too):
http://www.gitabike.com/cgi-bin/shop/pegoretti_search_details.cgi?user_id=&database=dbase_peg_owners.exm&template=tmplt_peg_owners_sr2.htm&0=t594MF8mRLRo&0_option=1


http://www.gitabike.com/peg_gallery/pe_gall_ds_me.jpg


There is obviously no dropped TT on that small size frame, and that crack is already so close to the weld. Are people serious saying to "fix it" and ride it, or just joking?

I don't know...I would not ride that frame, a real raced bicycle, who knows even if the fork is OK, or the DT/TT. And to replace that HT + repaint + rebuild it, would be less expensive to just look for another Love #3 or even older alu like 8:30 AM or Fina Estampa or CCKMP. Rare, certain, but maybe findable with some work and patience.

[nesteel]

I'd bet money on that crack extending further down than what you see in the picture. Sorry, but that thing is a piece of art now.

[mtechnica]

Can’t be repaired without a re paint imo, likely not economical.

[mingc]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTY36ZPaHhjZYk7382IPWN4RSI84R7 W8ivsPImKDwofHvqrgVWI8hE&usqp=CAc

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Black Dog]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcTY36ZPaHhjZYk7382IPWN4RSI84R7 W8ivsPImKDwofHvqrgVWI8hE&usqp=CAc

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Beat me too it. I would drill a hole at the base of the crack and put on a hose clamp and ride the crap out of it. Better would be to cut down the head tube and ream if possible. Probably a slightly nominally oversized headset cup that caused this.

[weisan]

Beat me too it. I would drill a hole at the base of the crack and put on a hose clamp and ride the crap out of it. Better would be to cut down the head tube and ream if possible. Probably a slightly nominally oversized headset cup that caused this.

I endorsed this course of action..."but'of course, you do, weisan, we know you!"https://res.cloudinary.com/teepublic/image/private/s--ySp_OwSl--/t_Preview/b_rgb:fefeff,c_limit,f_jpg,h_630,q_90,w_630/v1489266357/production/designs/1311605_1.jpg

[ultraman6970]

Cut it and put a new headset, not bashing the builder but many manufacturers put a ring around the front tube just to avoid this problem in particular.

Can be repaired? looks like is steel, but as somebody said, front tube will need a new paint job and this is when pricing comes to mind.

The easier solution is to cut that thing and ream it, put a new headset and good to go. Or just use it till it dies even more, doubt will explode or anything, drill the tiny hole as many say.

Nice bike tho :)

[oldpotatoe]

I'd bet money on that crack extending further down than what you see in the picture. Sorry, but that thing is a piece of art now.

Funny, these drill and hose clamp ideas..think about it..a fork that comes off the bike while riding hard down a steep hill...only one guy would really try this, with his other otherwise cracked, dented, rusted bikes..It probably could be welded..but a severely warped and ovalized head tube might result..rattle can paint job but life's too short to 'repair' and then ride junque..IMHO..

[zap]

This type of "scandium" al tubing is prone to cracking.

Cycling room wall art.

[William]

My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it!!! :D







William

[marciero]

I know pegs are popular on PL, and I like aluminum, but this frame just doesn't speak to me, crack or no.

[chiasticon]

just have it repaired! :banana:

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/IMG_0017_zpsgui4mvir.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/V__72D2_zps2vh3lzub.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/V__6075_zpsgokyxool.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/V__F126_zpsgffbdquh.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/V__C289_zpsynog7ufd.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/V__A189_zpsnl78zmfa.jpg

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/eastcoaststeve/DSCN4004_zpsdkf8v15y.jpg

[CNY rider]

I don’t want to be asking my dentist if there’s any hope for my front teeth......
Which is the discussion you could be having after riding that.

[Nooch]

i'm sure it rides real nice on the trainer :)

[Tickdoc]

wallhanger.

[Wayne77]

Maybe I have a tolerance for risk other don’t, but no way would I let that become wall art. As you know I have a DIY mindset and I’ve done a lot of successful CF repairs...so that’s where my head is coming from. There has to be several options. I don’t know that you could cut the HT far enough to completely eliminate the crack and still leave room for the top headset cup, but I have to think repairing cracks in aluminum is an option in applications higher stress than this. First thing I’d do is drill a hole at the end to stop the crack from spreading. Other thoughts and ideas:

- Browse and ask around on private aircraft, or other performance vehicle forums - maybe there are some folks who have methods of repairing micro cracks in wing panels / car panels / aluminum engine parts, etc. Maybe not, maybe they’d laugh, but it’s worth checking. Maybe the only way is to weld it.

- I’m sure there’s a local guy who would weld a bead on that for cheap. Go to an auto paint shop and have them color match the paint for you.

- Painting/blending yourself is not that hard. Seriously. In return for the auto paint shop expertise buys some product from them. All you need are some small amounts. Mask off the area with some straight lines so even if it’s not perfectly color matched it just looks like an intentional stripe. Sand the area with 600 grit. Apply a good primer, then a color matched base coat (base coats are really easy to apply but be careful sanding), then a coat of 4K clear. Don’t worry if the clear isn’t even. You can sand clear coat quite a bit. Sand runs and any orange peel starting with 800, then work your way all the way to 3000. Then hand buff with a couple varying grit stages of Mcguiars buffing compound, ending with the swirl remover for a perfect high gloss sheen. If it were me, I’d buff the entire frame with Mcguiars while you’re at it. It’ll look like new (other than chips through the base coat).

- if you’re worried about an exact color match with the surrounding paint choose a color of one of the graphics...you can mask it accordingly and make it look intentional. I doubt you’re going to care about a weld bead behind the HT.

- For a quick fix, drill a hole at the end of the crack and find the nicest high grade hose clamp you can find :-) Maybe that’ll get you by until you can do a more long term fix.

- Anyone know if something like JB weld would help in this case? Maybe not

I’m any case, that frame is way too nice, with too much history to be reverted to wall art. It would be so sad if that was the only option.

[pdonk]

This looks like every Yeti, Manitou or any bike made from Easton tubing of a certain era. Only this crack is on the back not the front of the head tube.

There guys that can fix it - Frank the Welder, Chris Herting come to mind.

If making it ridable, I'd use a CK steelset headset to get the insertion farther into the headtube for more support.

I probably would not ride it though.

[jr59]

I would bet that Frank the Welder could fix it. But to each their own

[Black Dog]

I am curious as to how this would cause a catastrophic failure?

[huck*this]

Fork not properly pre-loaded?

I'm digging the idea of a designated trainer bike.

Looks like AC did a farewell in almost the same scheme.
https://theradavist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Pegoretti_AC_Love3-26-1335x890.jpg

https://theradavist.com/2018/10/a-farewell-pegoretti-love-3-aluminum-road-bike/#1

[ColonelJLloyd]

I would bet that Frank the Welder could fix it. But to each their own

+1

I would certainly ask him if I had a desire to keep it on the road.

[ojingoh]

I mean for real Dario's HTs are quite big. Im running a -20 on mine.

-17 here. I think he was pretty old school in regard to geometry, so it's no surprise to me that it matches and rides best when it matches what a quill stem rides. I ride in the drops about 50% of the time though.

[unterhausen]

I am curious as to how this would cause a catastrophic failure?I don't see it either. At least not an imminent failure. I do like the idea of turning it into a trainer bike though.

Stop drilling a crack is a pointless exercise unless you can really pinpoint the end of the crack. Most people miss the end of the crack and they have removed material that actually slows crack growth. There are only a very few applications where it does anything useful. Aircraft sheet metal mechanics do it sometimes, but certainly not in an application like this. And after it is stop drilled, the likelihood is that it will be patched or otherwise repaired.
Not sure why this always comes up in bike forums by people who have no expertise. I guess it's because it's not their teeth.

[speedevil]

Could you turn a steel ring that would be a press fit around the top of the headtube? If you matched the paint to the headtube, it would be almost invisible under the top cup of the headset. Even painting it black would be OK.

It seems that a repair of that type would prevent any further expansion of the crack, since it would be held in compression.

It would be a shame to retire this frame, or to relegate it to trainer duty.

I have a metal lathe, want to sell the bike?

[Heisenberg]

Fork not properly pre-loaded?

I'm digging the idea of a designated trainer bike.

Looks like AC did a farewell in almost the same scheme.

https://theradavist.com/2018/10/a-farewell-pegoretti-love-3-aluminum-road-bike/#1

Not a farewell - that bike is a decade old.

[likebikes]

i'd ride it.

[oldpotatoe]

I am curious as to how this would cause a catastrophic failure?

If the crack extends into the weld of the top tube(inside), and the top tube separates from the head tube..which might lead to the front end coming off..maybe some 'pal' would do a hose clamp but screaming down the hill, into that tight right hander...I wouldn't do it. Not the same but you get the idea..'ingenuity'...funny, hopefully the dentist is ingenious as well..:eek:

[soulspinner]

Ya...…... no.

[Big Dan]

I wouldn't mess with it.

[chiasticon]

didn't see it mentioned but this is on eBay right now. so I don't think Angry is looking to have one of his bikes repaired so much as either considering buying this, or just curious what people think of the idea of repairing it. mentioning because this would factor into the decision, for me. if it's a well-loved bike I've spent years on, I'd be equally likely to repair it versus hang it up as art/memorabilia. would I buy it to repair it? no. if it were given to me, would I repair it? yes.

[cash05458]

I have a lemond 853 steel frame that cracked right there at the same spot as well as down by the bottom bracket... a non bike friend of mine who knows how to weld (but who knows welding very well and is a real master at it...it cost me a case of beer) got it fine...been riding it for about 8 years since and it is more than solid...guess it is your call...personally, I would go there. Not sure I would if I lived in the mountains and going down 90 kph descents but I live in the flatlands...steel can be welded I think or that is my experience and I think alot of folks over react as to its properties and safety... but I am sure others will pitch in and prolly know better.

[cgolvin]

Updated eBay post says "my friend at the shop found a second crack in the head tube"…just sayin'

[oldpotatoe]

I have a lemond 853 steel frame that cracked right there at the same spot as well as down by the bottom bracket... a non bike friend of mine who knows how to weld (but who knows welding very well and is a real master at it...it cost me a case of beer) got it fine...been riding it for about 8 years since and it is more than solid...guess it is your call...personally, I would go there. Not sure I would if I lived in the mountains and going down 90 kph descents but I live in the flatlands...steel can be welded I think or that is my experience and I think alot of folks over react as to its properties and safety... but I am sure others will pitch in and prolly know better.

Steel is 'different', the Peg mentioned is aluminum and welding that, and the resulting loss of heat treatment 'may' be an issue...

[FlashUNC]

Cracked headtube on a hi zoot aluminum alloy frame? Nope. It's done.

Lived a good life, but as others have said, wall art.

[cribbit]

Is it 1 1/8th? If you can live with a 1" fork just epoxy a strong shim in there to be the new headtube (ideally after cutting it down to get rid of the visible crack).