I just picked up a Concorde PDM Squadra with a full Shimano 600 Tricolor group set. The only thing not original was the brifters.
I'm stripping the frame and I noticed a bulge in the down tube behind the head tube.
I think I know the answer but has this frame set become wall art? There's no other noticeable damage or bends but I'm assuming it took a hefty front end collision which may explain the new brifters.
fwiw the frameaet is from 1991 and built with Columbus TSX tubes and ultech dropouts.
by unethicalanchordrop
3 Comments
Shame, such a nice frameset.
You could try and have it corrected with a lever. But it will be weakened.
What is it with the two lines behind the lug? Was there something attached with a cable tie or a sticker?
Funnily enough, this is precisely where the frame should rip open at some point, directly behind the headlug.
Personally I would probably ride it gently until fear overcomes me and I have to swap the downtube for peace of mind.
So, I’d say… yes, this is technically toast: that bulge behind the lug looks like trouble.
However, it’s a quality steel frame and isn’t likely to fail catastrophically but more likely to just get worse over time. So: maybe it’d be okay to enjoy for a short time longer with some monitoring?
Really odd: those parallel bands are pretty deep! Would love to know what caused them: an accessory clamp, a prior repair attempt, who knows!?
Personally, I’d only ride it for local errands, if at all. But if you’re really keen to ride it for longer distances (and therefore need to be able to rely on it), you could get the down tube replaced by a good frame builder. But it won’t be cheap and the respray will also need to be good so the repair is ‘invisible’.