Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

[Lewis Moon]

I bought a 2002 Indy Fab steel Planet X on FleaBay and, after sourcing all the build parts, discovered it had a bent fork from what looks like either a dirt jump or a cartop carrier/garage accident. Everything looks perfect but the fork has 77mm of rake. Stock is 45. I looked for a 1" canti replacement fork but those are like hen's teeth in this quality.
I made the mistake of falling in love ...should I just return it or work with the seller on a partial refund?

[Veloo]

Return it.

[AngryScientist]

My opinion is that if the fork too that big of an impact, I can't see how the rest of the frame would not be effected. If this is a stock indy fab steel fork, they are pretty darn stout, so it would have taken a huge amount of force to bend it.

[Lewis Moon]

That's the conclusion I'm coming to. There is absolutely no evidence of anything on the frame, and it has a welded on downtube gusset, but I'm more than a little nervous about riding it, especially on dirt.
Crap.

[Peter P.]

If there's no visible buckling of the downtube or top tube, or paint cracks in the area, near the headtube end, you're fine. Get a partial refund from the seller and have a replacement built.

I had a frame that developed a crack on the underside of the downtube at the headtube. I rode it like that for several years, including D2R2 a few times.

Steel cracks develop slowly and give you plenty of warnimg.

[tellyho]

I would also go partial refund route. I agree that with steel, if you can't see/feel any issue, it's going to be fine for a long time. Negotiate for the biggest partial you can. New fork = $200? Maybe ask for that?

[donevwil]

I'm guessing this is the frameset to which you were considering adding a steerer extender? Seems like quite a few issues in general (fit, damage), unless you got a screaming deal and like to tinker I'd return it.

[charliedid]

Agree with Peter P. if it's not visibly stuffed, ride it.

[bironi]

For myself, I'd have to go.
Clear the mind.
Then try again.
Works for me.
But you are you.
It's your choice.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by donevwil

I'm guessing this is the frameset to which you were considering adding a steerer extender? Seems like quite a few issues in general (fit, damage), unless you got a screaming deal and like to tinker I'd return it.

If you do the "math" all that probably stemmed from the bent fork. 3cm extra rake would lower and steepen the head tube and steepen the seat tube.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by bironi

For myself, I'd have to go.
Clear the mind.
Then try again.
Works for me.
But you are you.
It's your choice.

Do that again in haiku.

[thwart]

Come on… this thread really needs…

https://youtu.be/8-cjjzNbg70?si=2zijjJO3lewYwjox

[slowpoke]

I know I'm asking basically the same question with my carbon thread, but if this isn't a white whale for you, return it. There's plenty of 90s CX bikes up for sale these days.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by slowpoke

I know I'm asking basically the same question with my carbon thread, but if this isn't a white whale for you, return it. There's plenty of 90s CX bikes up for sale these days.

I own a 2014 Ti Planet X and it's my favorite bike. I sold a Moots Psychlo X because I didn't like it as much. For some reason IF bikes do it for me.

[bironi]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

Do that again in haiku.

I'm not good at math and my memory is in question.
So, consider the source of this advice.