td;lr – how do I fix this?
Hi guys,
Not sure if this question belongs here or in r/xbiking but I’ll try.
I got an old steel bike from the local coop(the brand is Aliverti).
After fixing wheels brake chain etc it rides pretty nice, but it probably had an accident as the fork is leaning towards the frame, so the clearance between the front wheel and the frame is not ideal. It also makes the steering a bit weird.
Can I true it without damaging it? And how?
Thanks!
by Rotem_
11 Comments
I would not ride that.
Yes steel is forgiving, but to bend a fork like that you need a pretty substantial frontal impact. And the fork/headtube area is one where you really don‘t want to have nasty surprises while riding.
At the very least, you should replace the fork and check the headtube and frontal parts of top- and downtube for damage. Honestly, considering the minimal value of the frameset, I‘d just part it out and get a replacement.
Where is it crooked?
That’s more than a bit of superficial rust, I’d be a bit worried that the frame is compromised in other ways. It’s likely the inside of the tubes look worse than the exterior rust you can see.
Yeah, creases on the top and down-tubes. Scrap it unless it has sentimental value, in which case a good frame builder could restore it, wouldn’t be cheap though.
frame looks crumpled. Its dead now, yes it can be ridden and may last but see the sidebar comments on “is it safe to ride questions”
If the frame wasnt damaged a new fork would solve it.
In the past i have physically bent forks back into alignment but its inherently unsafe as metal fatigue has no easy way to be detected. So it could fail when unexpected or under load like braking etc.
There is no real way to correct the frame itself without expensive frame builder fees and its basically not worth.
even with new forks the “rake” will still be off and have the wheel too far back.
we cant see any other angles so the bike may be off in other directions as well.,
find another frame and some of the parts could still be used.
Old bike with a bent and rusty fork*
Steel is real, but [that’s a lot of damage](https://youtu.be/IVoMNFZ71lI?si=t-5GhPfxj7nI5UaH).
No. That frame and fork have completed their service here and are now ready for the big bike path in the sky. Part it out and toss the frame and fork – there will be better restoration opportunities.
The fork isn’t too bad, but the frame is severely compromised. The diagnostic indicator is the rust and missing paint at both top and bottom lug-tube joints. The general condition disguises it a bit.
That is scrap metal, not a bike.
Frame is bent, fork is bent, and they’re both rusted pretty badly. You need a new frame and fork at the least, this one is barely hanging on.
That bike has lived a full life now it’s time for it to be recycled not cycled.