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Questions tagged [aluminum]

Questions related to bicycle frames made from aluminum alloy.

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5 votes
4 answers
1k views

Reconciling the two aspects: carbon is stiffer for power, but offers a softer ride

At times composite (carbon) is touted as being stiffer than (aluminum) alloys as well as stiffer than steel (leaving Titanium to a different discussion). This means that the frame will not yield (much)...
2 votes
1 answer
68 views

Rusted steel rivet nut on aluminum frame causing frame to corrode

I have an aluminum-framed hybrid which has rivet nuts set in it for mounting racks and fenders. I am pretty sure these are steel rivet nuts because they seem to be rusting and causing corrosion on the ...
2 votes
0 answers
52 views

How to fix a 2008 Colnago World Cup front brake mount failure? (Cantilever brakes)

I have the following bike: https://bikeindex.org/bikes/495724 Colnago World Cup 2008 1st generation (rim brakes, aluminum fork). The front brake has failed in a way that the sleeve or insert that's ...
8 votes
13 answers
30k views

Aluminum seatpost stuck to a steel frame

I'm trying to free my aluminum seatpost corroded to a CrMo frame. One of the methods is to heat the aluminum seatpost and then to let it cool. In theory, the aluminum will expand twice as fast as ...
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Accidentally punctured through aluminum frame with a screw tip - still safe? Repairable?

I went to tighten up my rear rack and realized that it was actually a screw not a bolt holding one of the arms on my rear bike to my frame. Apparently I stupidly used a screw that's longer than the ...
3 votes
4 answers
5k views

Aluminium Aerobars on Carbon Handelbars

Since I want to build up a new bike with road or gravel handelbars and aerobars I try to get as much information about it as possible. Now I have just watched a video where the person in it says (at ...
2 votes
2 answers
597 views

135mm rear hub with QR on 130mm rear dropout spacing on older aluminum frame MTB

Problem: I had a rear wheel built to 135mm, but the frame is 130mm. The frame is an older aluminum MTB frame. I assumed it was 135mm rear dropout spacing (being a mountain bike) when ordering the new ...
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Should I force an 130 mm hub into my old vintage alu frame

I have a classic vitus 979 aluminium road frame where the rear dropout width is 126 mm. Most of the things I hear is that you should not use force on an alu frame and try to fit in an 130 mm hub in ...
13 votes
6 answers
10k views

What's the strongest way to bond a cable stop to an aluminum frame?

I recently picked up another well loved GT road bike frame- it's in great shape aside from a missing downtube cable stop. The model is a ZR 4000 probably from 1999, it's 7005 heat treated aluminum. My ...
2 votes
2 answers
533 views

Are these scratches in my aluminum frame structural or purely cosmetic?

My aluminum bike (Cannondale Adventure 1) was scratched on the welds connecting the seat tube and seat stays, and I was wondering if the damage is purely cosmetic, or if there is any structural damage....
4 votes
0 answers
608 views

Mavic Cosmic SLS - carbon separation

Some aero’ wheels are an aluminium rim with a carbon fibre shroud. On a Mavic Cosmic SLS rear wheel, I’ve found that the carbon fibre shroud is separating from the aluminium rim. Just visible in the ...
15 votes
5 answers
4k views

Are curved aluminum forks safe?

This is an entry-level road bike made by "Upland", a Chinese company. That fork is aluminum. You usually only see steel (and sometimes carbon) forks curved like that. The only reason you would have ...
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Small dents on bicycle frame

Two weeks ago I bought Trek Checkpoint ALR5. Bike rides pretty well. It has aluminium frame. I bought it primarily for bike packing trips as it has ton of mounting points. After riding it for 2 weeks ...
5 votes
1 answer
848 views

Is it safe to strip paint + polish an aluminum handlebar or seatpost? Will this affect their diameter?

This is for aesthetic only. I would like to change the look of my aluminum black handlebar and seatpost. First, I would sand them with a wire wheel + sand paper to remove paint. Then, I would polish ...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Aluminium fork dropouts hit floor - need to worry?

I had my bike in a bike stand without wheels, clamped by the seat tube. As I loosened the stand mount lock the bike slipped out of my hand and suddenly rotated forwards as most of the weight was in ...
3 votes
0 answers
90 views

Just hoping someone out there recognizes this bike and can help identify it

Assuming this is a 90s era aluminum frame with only a head badge sticker to identify it, no name or model printed anywhere. RX100 RD, DeoreXT FD, Sugino triple crank and Exage500EX brakes. the fork is ...
0 votes
3 answers
329 views

Should I upgrade my entry-level bike?

I bought a Cannondale Quick CX4 last year, but I’m not fully satisfied. I want something more robust, fast on the trail, and a better gear set. I’m still eligible to exchange my bike within one year (...
7 votes
13 answers
3k views

Aluminum seatpost broken into a steel frame

Similar to Aluminum seatpost stuck to a steel frame but worse, since the seatpost is broken exactly at the end of the seat tube. Image below. Below is a suggested fix using a quill stem as a "...
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

How long should an aluminium frame last?

This question has been asked before, and there have been several answers to it - including links to interesting articles and scientific analyses. The general consensus appears to be 5-10 years, ...
7 votes
5 answers
8k views

Crack/fissure in the headtube

My 2007 Ghost AMR 5700 developed a crack or fissure at the upper end of the headtube. I do not know whether it developed over time or whether there was a specific event leading up to it; it looked ...
21 votes
7 answers
6k views

14 "Trashed" bikes acquired for free. Worth repairing and reselling? What do I look for?

Very new to this, bike repair specifically. I tried my best with the tags. I'm mechanically inclined, like to tinker, and have many tools (not bike specific). Learning and time aren't really an issue. ...
2 votes
0 answers
65 views

Should the seatpost clamp be installed backward for a carbon seatpost in an aluminum frame? [duplicate]

Is it true that the seatpost clamp must be installed backward (i.e. its slot facing the handlebars) or at least with a slight offset to avoid aligning its slot with the aluminum seat tube slot when ...
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

How bad is this dent?

I have found this used Specialized Diverge(aluminium frame) and am wondering how bad this scratch/dent on the side of the top-tube close to the seatpost is. I have looked at other posts and I don't ...
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

I have a bent aluminum rim on my Merida MTB. Is it damaged beyond repair?

Consider: I was riding my local trails today, got a flat tire (due to not riding tubeless) and before I realized it, I hit a jump with too little air in the tire and I bent my rear rim. Is it is ...
6 votes
3 answers
593 views

Vertical Dropout Derailleur Hanger for a bike that did not come with gears?

I have a bike that did not come with gears. It is a rear hub driven ebike with a single speed. Eventually when the warranty runs out, I want to put gears in it and turn it to a mid drive. Now I know ...
4 votes
3 answers
888 views

Misaligned frame — how much is too much?

I have an aluminium frame (Scott Speedster). There's a fairly substantial difference in the amount of space between chain stay and tyre on the left and right side. This happens regardless of how true ...
6 votes
3 answers
4k views

Very tiny dent on new aluminium frame -- anything to be worried about?

I bought a new aluminium folding bike frame last week, and this weekend while I was cleaning the bike, I noticed this very tiny dent on the top tube of my frame. It was barely noticeable and I didn't ...
16 votes
3 answers
5k views

Is it safe to ride an aluminium bike with a big top tube dent?

Someone tried to steal this bike - they damaged the top tube. The frame is designed with a wide flat top tube. Is this still safe to use?
4 votes
1 answer
210 views

Rear tire rubbing on both chainstays

I left my bike in our boiler room over the winter, and now the back tire is rubbing heavily on both chain stays. Before it was a very tight clearance, but it worked without a problem. Now, it ...
0 votes
1 answer
235 views

Dents in aluminum

I am looking at a good alloy road bike, cannondale caad12. It is a good deal but there are some dents all the down the seatstays, not major but not nothing. Is it safe? Does it affect the bike? Should ...
0 votes
5 answers
3k views

Aluminum or steel for my first mountain bike?

For the past few months I've been planning to buy my first mountain bike. I'm struggling with buying an aluminum bike or a steel one. I recently read that aluminum bikes are as heavy as steel bikes: ...
6 votes
1 answer
696 views

What does the frame material name of "SC7 Scandium" mean?

I just realised that my frame material is SC7 scandium. What does that term mean? Is it aluminium alloyed with other elements?
4 votes
3 answers
710 views

Fork done for? Has slight cut on the steerer that

Got this cyclocross frame with a fork, didn't see the cut in the steerer tube until much later. Has a 1mm? deep cut on half of the steerer tube. Is this fork done for? Or am I just paranoid. Aluminum ...
1 vote
1 answer
681 views

Aluminum (6061) frame dropout squeeze

I have a bicycle with a 6061 aluminum frame. I had to replace the rear wheel, and I bought a wheel with an axle length that is a few mm short for the dropout spacing. In order to fit the axle into the ...
4 votes
1 answer
706 views

How can I tell whether any crank is cold forged, hot forged or cast aluminium?

I know that cold forging allows for sleeker designs because cold forged aluminium is stronger. Are there any other giveaways that indicate a certain manufacturing process?
4 votes
4 answers
7k views

Drilling hole in aluminium frame

I want to attach a pump holder to my aluminium frame. Can I drill holes in it ? I would then use blind rivets with some glue for waterproofing to attach the holder. Is there a place on the frame where ...
4 votes
4 answers
6k views

Can I cut the steerer tube with a pipe cutter?

I found out that Hozan lists a pipe cutter among its tools, and as far as I know all Hozan tools are made for bike mechanics. From one of the pictures it looks like this could be used to cut an ...
0 votes
1 answer
84 views

Looking for a good mountain bike for my daugher. Want disc brakes and Fork lockout [closed]

My daughter is a teenager and we love going biking, either on trails or during camping trips. We are not hard core bikers, but she is ready for a bike upgrade as she is using a 20" wheel bike ...
0 votes
1 answer
162 views

Gravel bike frame material: carbon, aluminum, titaniul or steel? [closed]

For a long ride on a gravel bike, what is the best frame material?
1 vote
2 answers
511 views

Aerobar, why would carbon cost more than aluminum?

I think carbon parts are generally more expensive to their aluminum counterparts. I'm perplexed because aluminum version is cheaper and weighs less too? What am I missing? Example: Profile design ...
6 votes
1 answer
656 views

Why have my crank arms started corroding?

I have a set of Rotor 3D cranks and I've just noticed that the non-drive-side crank arm is corroding at the end and around the pedal bore, beneath the surface finish. The drive-side arm is fine. I ...
0 votes
0 answers
233 views

Carbon fork crack?

I have aluminum bike with carbon fork, this is in the front of the carbon fork, it is in both sides of it? It's a carbon crack or paint crack?
0 votes
2 answers
80 views

Need help with gears and wheel alignment

i have an aluminium frame single speed. I wanted to know is it possible to add gears to it (correctly). I saw same model with gears installed but the rear wheel was not in line with front wheel and ...
8 votes
2 answers
5k views

Can and should one install rivnuts into an aluminium frame?

I have an aluminium frame, and would like to add another bottle cage. But there are no mounts below the downtube. I've installed rivnuts into a steel frame before, which worked well. Can I install ...
2 votes
1 answer
468 views

Aluminium "white rust" on roadbike. How bad is my situation?

After some research I did not find similar photos/examples to mine so decided to ask. Recently I have bought used aluminum road bike. I did check all other parts and they are in good condition, but ...
1 vote
1 answer
230 views

Aluminum fork: paint defect or sign of strained?

I know there's a lot of question regarding paint defect or crack. But I need your opinion about this. Recently, I bought new bike but discounted and it's the last piece of it. On the back of the ...
12 votes
7 answers
3k views

What are the most basic parts of a bicycle which cannot be upgraded over a period of time?

After reading this question: Cheap MTB with future upgrades v/s costly fully ready MTB, I myself had a question. What are the most fundamental parts of a bicycle? What are the things which we have to ...
1 vote
0 answers
45 views

bike-frame-jig: customizations of a standard model - interesting features added [duplicate]

good day i am in the mid of creating a bike-frame-jig. the model is oriented at tanner w s jig: https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Frame-Building-Jig/ see some the parts (here as Acronyms ) he ...
1 vote
0 answers
126 views

Trying to estimate cost of replacement for a stolen bike [closed]

The frame says "Nova" and "Columbus". I don't know the serial number. I believe the frame is aluminum. Purchased 2nd (or third) hand in California about 6 years ago. Above is a ...
18 votes
6 answers
8k views

How is this damaged aluminium frame likely to fail?

I had an unplanned collision with a car yesterday (everyone is fine, thankfully) but my bike – a Giant Revolt 1 – now has a lovely new pair of dents. I cycled it home from the collision (~6km) and it ...