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I got this Shimano Ultra groupset bike for free, all I need now for it is shifters as the carbon and rubber melted in them and the original seat.

But now I am wondering if I can get away with it, I don't want the top/down tubes to brake off the head!

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The cable adjuster on the down tube is a bit melted on this one if you zoom in: enter image description here

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Everything works great (Not to say I know if there's a good amount of lube in the head tube but it turns fine) but what do you guy think is it too dodgy to keep aluminium that has all that darkening round the welds?

I know a lot will say biff it and I should at least get a new stem but please give me some disclaimer-ed thoughts for a proper like myself just wanting a bike that has better gears than Shimano tourney!

EDIT:

This is what concerned me: http://forums.mtbr.com/tooltime/repairing-fire-damaged-bikes-689507.html They tell the guy to ditch a bike with no viable damage!

It would be interesting for example to know what temperature it takes to melt the old bike seat completely of the metal guides and curl the shifter carbon leavers!

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21
  • What sort of fire was it exposed to?
    – Carey Gregory
    Apr 11, 2014 at 6:10
  • I 'think' it was in a house fire.
    – sabgenton
    Apr 11, 2014 at 6:16
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    Well, the fire was barely enough to even scorch the paint, so unless that's a carbon frame I wouldn't worry about it at all.
    – Carey Gregory
    Apr 11, 2014 at 6:30
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    Weird fire. Didn't touch the tires??
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Apr 12, 2014 at 2:51
  • 4
    The great thing about this bike is it looks less shiny so I hope the thief picks it last hehe :D
    – sabgenton
    Apr 12, 2014 at 3:28

3 Answers 3

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I've done a bit of aluminum anodizing which requires annealing (softening) of the metal. This happens at about 650F. You mentioned the drop bars being melted so I suspect the top tube is likely annealed and won't have the same stiffness as it's suppose to. It may flex more than it should and may cause other parts to flex more also.

The head tube bearings were also mentioned and should be checked. I also wouldn't trust the seat post.

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As Marc said, with the heating of the frame, it's impossible to know how strong it is but I wouldn't ride it. Given you can pick up a carbon frame and fork from a reputable Chinese manufacturer for a few hundred dollars, the risks are not worth the rewards. Get the parts, dump the frame and then buy something else (a second hand Madone frame can't be that expensive on ebay).

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I would chuck the whole bike - its nothing more than scrap metal now.

Its just not worth the risk.

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