All Questions
49 questions
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 ...
- 290
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?
- 161
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 ...
- 761
13
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Why would a bike feature a "carbon wrapped aluminum frame"?
I saw a link to what appeared to be a Carbon bike on amazon. The price was extremely lower than any carbon bike I had ever seen. After reading a bit, it seems that the bike frame is really made of "...
- 22k
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 ...
- 393
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
non-steel frames and longevity
Until recently, I had a late 80's Schwinn aluminum frame bike (now a thief has a 80's Schwinn aluminum frame bike, but that's another story). I had heard a number of horror stories about early ...
- 427
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 ...
- 81
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Aluminum frame quality - how much variation can there be and how to tell?
Take a look at these two aluminum frames. The first one is a $1k bike, and the second one is a $200 bike.
Is there a significant quality difference between these frames? And if so, how can I appraise ...
- 5,735
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 ...
- 131k
6
votes
2
answers
39k
views
Knowing what bicycle frame material I have
I have a bicycle frame that's really heavy. It's a mountain bike frame with shocks, so I decided to replace the entire frame with a city bike aluminum frame(I only use the bike if I have to pick up/...
- 163
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 ...
- 149
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 ...
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?
- 177
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Repairing Carbon / Aluminum frame
My road bike is aluminum with a carbon rear triangle. The carbon rear slides into the aluminum, and I believe was bonded with some sort of epoxy. The pieces have begun to separate after 2.5 years ...
- 263
6
votes
2
answers
23k
views
Trek Aluminium Grade Comparison
Looking through the Trek archives, I see they have frame materials described as:
Alpha Black Aluminum
Alpha White Aluminum
Alpha Gold Aluminum
Gold Series Aluminum
100 Series Alpha Aluminum
etc
How ...
- 273
5
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How long will this alum frame last?
I picked up this very cool 96-97 GT rage from Craigslist with the intention of restoration- a few rusty pinch bolts, spider eggs in the brake hoods, grinding bearings and pitted races, and all the ...
- 761
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, ...
- 121
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 ...
5
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How serious is the dent on alu frame?
I have crashed on my cyclocross bike and got a dent on it's alu frame. I don't see cracks. How serious is this dent? Can it lead frame to suddenly fail?
- 91
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 ...
- 272
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Maintenance on an Aluminium frame
I have an aluminium frame.
The top tube has become slightly scratched or pitted (by something hard, presumably, I don't know what; maybe while it was parked).
Does it need maintenance (e.g. does the ...
- 12.3k
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 ...
- 1,168
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
aluminium fatigue how to know if some thing is going wrong?
I have an early 00' road bike with aluminium frame. I have read some stuff about aluminium having life expectancy of ten years. What it exactly means? I cant see any thing wrong in the frame (there ...
- 942
4
votes
1
answer
499
views
How to evaluate different alloy types used for bicycle frames?
Only certain alloys are used for bicycle frames besides other materials like carbon fibres (at least for the mass market). I often stumble over aluminium alloy 6061 and 7005 (and I think I saw 8004 ...
- 176
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How do different frame materials affect the handling of a bike?
I can appreciate that some materials are lighter than others and some have more flex than others, but overall, how do different frame materials affect handling of the bike?
Assuming the same geometry ...
- 1,831
3
votes
1
answer
234
views
Can this frame be saved?
I had a little accident and went over the handlebars.
I'm okay, I was able to ride the bike home, but it is obviously bent. Everything else on the bike seems to be fine, the wheels are true and ...
- 246
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
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....
- 247
3
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Tight Seatpost Installation
I'm having a bit of a problem installing my seatpost.
I have a 31.6mm carbon-wrapped aluminum seatpost which fit perfectly fine in my previous aluminum frame. Unfortunately, that frame cracked, ...
- 33
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
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
3
votes
2
answers
341
views
Any special issues with putting a wider internal gear hub in a narrower alu frame?
Can I safely put my 130mm internal geared hub in a 126mm spaced aluminum frame by forcing it? What are the consequences? How would the IGH be "damaged" by this?
My IGH hub has a wheel laced and ...
- 1,111
3
votes
2
answers
147
views
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 ...
- 55
3
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Harsh Winters bike - Steel vs aluminum frame?
I am looking to a buy a single speed commuter bike which I can also use through the harsh winters here. I have narrowed it down to two bikes -
One has a 6061 Aluminium frame while the other has a hi-...
- 33
3
votes
1
answer
15k
views
What is the life expectancy of aluminum alloy frames? [duplicate]
I learned for the first time that aluminum alloy frames are said to have a "life expectancy".
This is the bike in question, my 2007 Felt Z80. It has an aluminum alloy frame. I really like it and don'...
- 1,927
3
votes
4
answers
12k
views
restoring the finish of an oxidized polished aluminum frame?
In the context of restoring the finish of an oxidized once-polished aluminum finish, is there anything better (easier) than 0000 steel wool with Marvel Mystery Oil? I am restoring an old Cannondale ...
- 173
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is it ok to sit on the top tube of my Cannondale CAAD12 (2017 model)?
I just picked up my new Cannondale CAAD12 bike the other day. During my first ride I occasionally was sitting on the top tube (waiting for traffic lights etc). After the ride was over I actually ...
- 21
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....
- 617
2
votes
3
answers
299
views
Is it cheaper to mass produce a carbon frame than an aluminium frame?
I've heard this comment but I have not found any information about it. Is it true?
- 1,529
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 ...
- 493
1
vote
5
answers
12k
views
Is this aluminum "rust" in my frame?
I found an aluminum bike in the trash and it seems like it has been exposed to the rain, especially because some of the metal is slightly rusty.
The frame is a different thing, because altough it is ...
- 1,447
1
vote
2
answers
486
views
How can I treat an aluminium frame ready for restoration?
I have an old aluminium framed mountain bike which has developed some 'oxidation / corrosion' underneath the lacquer -- it kind of looks like little white worms!
The frame as original has a nice ...
- 151
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
How much is a mass production aluminium road bike frame worth? [closed]
I was just curious, how much is a frame in a entry level road bicycle worth?
In total, what is the cost of a frame per unit in a bicycle built using i.e. a Shimano Sora groupset, white-labelled ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
178
views
Spraying frame of GT Transeo
I've got a GT Transeo 1.0 bike (bought in 2011 or 2010 as best as I can remember) and I'd like to try painting the frame to get rid of some (very minor) surface rust and paint damage.
I've read a ...
- 115
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 ...
- 143
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 ...
- 11
1
vote
4
answers
5k
views
MInor (I think) dent in top of Orbea Alma top tube - frame ok or no?
UPDATE: My lbs mech / owner (same guy) looked at it this AM, says it is good to go, 'ride the hell out of it', he 100% backs it up. And FWIW re: the specifics of this frame and why it's purely ...
- 21
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: ...
- 9
0
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum [duplicate]
I am a new cyclist who is on my 2nd year of biking. I bought a cheapo Schwinn MTB at Walmart to start with but now I want a real road bike. I currently have $2k saved up and am looking into a ...
- 53
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?
0
votes
2
answers
998
views
What are the advantages of having a aluminium frame? [duplicate]
are there any advantages that an aluminium body brings to the tables over carbon frames?
- 103