Questions tagged [aluminum]
Questions related to bicycle frames made from aluminum alloy.
111
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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....
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6
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2
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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
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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 ...
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2
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2
answers
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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 ...
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0
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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 ...
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3
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242
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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 (...
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3
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551
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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, ...
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0
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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 ...
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21
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7
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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. ...
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13
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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 "...
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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 ...
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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
347
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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 ...
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4
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3
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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 ...
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16
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3
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4k
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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?
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4
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1
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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 ...
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0
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1
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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 ...
- 611
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5
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1k
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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: ...
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6
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3
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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 ...
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1
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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?
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4
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3
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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 ...
4
votes
4
answers
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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)...
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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 ...
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4
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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 ...
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81
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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 ...
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151
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Gravel bike frame material: carbon, aluminum, titaniul or steel? [closed]
For a long ride on a gravel bike, what is the best frame material?
4
votes
1
answer
509
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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?
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2
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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 ...
- 599
0
votes
0
answers
218
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
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2
answers
74
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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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
320
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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 ...
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1
vote
1
answer
219
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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 ...
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12
votes
7
answers
3k
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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 ...
- 383
1
vote
0
answers
45
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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 ...
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1
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0
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101
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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 ...
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2
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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 ...
- 121k
1
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1
answer
613
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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 ...
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18
votes
6
answers
8k
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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 ...
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2
answers
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Failure statistics of carbon fiber vs aluminum mountain bikes?
I've read a lot of carbon fiber vs aluminum debates. The anecdotal evidence for one being better than another is not very interesting to me. I'm interested in the statistics.
Does anyone know where I ...
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2
votes
1
answer
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Safe to use 10-speed wheel in a aluminum frame bike made for a 7-speed
I have a '91 Trek aluminum road bike which was originally equipped with a 7-speed drivetrain. I upgraded the drivetrain on another bike, so I transferred the old 10-speed drivetrain, to the Trek. The ...
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2
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Bottle holder - aluminium or titanium bolts?
I'm a "weight-weenie" and optimize the bolts I'm using. Replacing steel with aluminium or titanium, depending of the location (to summarize: exerted forces, and dangerosity in case of breakage). ...
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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 ...
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2
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126
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Deformed Headtube Around Bottom Cup
Crashed into a fallen tree at speed on my bike. I disassembled the front end to inspect for damage and noticed I could wiggle the bottom headset cup back and forth slightly. On further inspection, the ...
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4
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badass-stuck seatpost [duplicate]
I've recently found a nice bike with a steel frame. Well I noticed the aluminium seatpost was stuck but had no idea how heavily. To be honest I never had a similar problem and underestimated that ...
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5
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Carbon vs aluminium commuter for 50km per day [closed]
Is it worth it to purchase a carbon bike for commuting daily 50km. I'm thinking I would be faster and also be able to train on weekends for my first iron man this year.
I don't have the funds to ...
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2
votes
2
answers
9k
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2014 vs 6061 vs 7075 aluminium components
I saw a crankset made of 2014-T6 aluminum alloy (so it was claimed).
I read that this alloy is somewhere in between 6061 and 7075 in terms of strength. I also learned that it is also more brittle ...
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4
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4k
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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 ...
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Is this damaged aluminium frame unsafe to use?
Hello
I have a Giant Seek 3 aluminium frame where somehow the rear rim has rubbed the frame creating a hole as shown in the picture. On the other side there has also been some rubbing/scratching but ...
- 247
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2
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Help please - Dent in top tube of double butted aluminium frame
I have a ridgeback velocity which is labled as double butted aluminium. Around the middle of the toptube is a dent shown in the photo. There is also a short line above it which I can feel with my nail....
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1
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Can I repair this valve stem hole?
Today I got a stick wedged between my frame and tubeless valve stem. In addition to snapping the stem I widened the hole a bit.
Any suggestions on how to fix it? Current plan is to go over the whole ...
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