My frame has about 30,000km on it , it’s a 1996 Marin aluminium frame.
2 years ago I noticed this crack where the top tube meets the steerer tube.
Around one sixt of the weld is compromised.
Since then I’ve cycled around 8,000 more km, it hasn’t got any worse. I inspect it regularly.
I like the frame, it’s worth exactly 0.00 if I were to sell it.
Should I retire this frame to the aluminium recycling centre for safety reasons ?
by SnooCauliflowers2264
7 Comments
Yes. Done. Impractical to fix. You really shouldn’t be riding that, head tube failures are catastrophic and result in bad crashes.
Don’t let anyone here talk you into having someone weld it up. Aluminum needs heat treating post-welding to be safe, and the cost of having all that done right is going to be more than buying a comparable replacement frame.
This is ready for the trash, or since you have good memories with it, hang it on the wall.
That’s done. You need a new bike unfortunately.
This is a death trap, imagine hitting a bump with the front wheel and the steering tube breaking big time.
This is a great way to schedule an emergency dental surgery.
It will be next to your ergo drops and your biopace cranks waiting for you on rainbow bridge. Shiny and new like the first day you bought it.
It is trash.
Can be welded, or paint stripped and carbon fiber overlaid.
Both are uneconomical, and the cr overlay can fail catastrophically.
Yes, do not ride this anymore at all!