Paint or frame crack?

[chicagorider]

Just saw a post (elsewhere from a while back) about how someone's dented AL frame suffered a catastrophic failure. Since I have a dented AL frame too (on a side of the downtube), and although I've ridden this bike more than 15k since I've had the dent, I thought I'd ask what you guys think... I was under the impression that it's just a paint crack.

Thanks!

Higher res photos here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3fwwbjy3ap...Crack.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7wqtz0f60pktbei/Dent.jpg?dl=0

[ceya]

Paint and dent is my observation.

[unterhausen]

Looks like paint to me. Hard for me to tell from the pics, it's not actually in the dent, correct?

It's amazing how fast some aluminum frame dents will crack. So it's always concerning. But there are a lot more dented aluminum frames that never crack

Okay, I gave up and looked at your higher res pictures. The cracks on the top of the tube appear to be paint to me. The dent itself has a sharp indentation at the bottom. It's somewhat concerning. In normal times I would say it's time for a new bike anyway, but I think it's okay if you keep an eye on it.

[harblhat]

If you're going to continue riding it, you can mark the ends of the crack to see if it grows over time

[tctyres]

I agree with what others have said.

What are you doing with Game Theory, btw?

[chicagorider]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

Looks like paint to me. Hard for me to tell from the pics, it's not actually in the dent, correct?

It's amazing how fast some aluminum frame dents will crack. So it's always concerning. But there are a lot more dented aluminum frames that never crack

Okay, I gave up and looked at your higher res pictures. The cracks on the top of the tube appear to be paint to me. The dent itself has a sharp indentation at the bottom. It's somewhat concerning. In normal times I would say it's time for a new bike anyway, but I think it's okay if you keep an eye on it.

Indeed, the crack is not in the dent! I think I will keep an eye on the crack and also a good frame.

All, thanks for your thoughts.

Originally Posted by tctyres

I agree with what others have said.

What are you doing with Game Theory, btw?

Good spot! I'm a PhD student in Econ

[joeminglin]

Originally Posted by ceya

paint and dent is my observation.

+1

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by chicagorider

Good spot! I'm a PhD student in Econ

Speaking as an old econ major...there's too much alleged cience in the dismal science, and not enough psychology. Game theory will be very helpful...

[Ken Robb]

If there is a crack present could a person tell by tapping on the tube around the suspect area and compare the sound with that made away from the suspect area? PING, ping, clack? I know cracked bells don't ring right.