Is it possible to weld/repair this crack in an old Peugeot frame, or is it a write off ? I'm guessing it's steel , not sure. Its circa 1980s
by Bert-Effective
Is it possible to weld/repair this crack in an old Peugeot frame, or is it a write off ? I'm guessing it's steel , not sure. Its circa 1980s
by Bert-Effective
7 Comments
It’s HLE ‘mangalloy’ – steel, and not real high end stuff. A repair would probably cost more than the frame is worth. But I’m sure someone could do it.
it’s manganese steel. it can be welded back together.
however trying to figure out *why* it broke is more important, like if it was from interior corrosion or something else.
With a good welder yes, maybe will need a reforcement or if you want something better, change the complete tube. All its posible with lugged frames.
Sheldon brown explain about steel frames repairs:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/steel-frame-repair.html
Idk if it worth TBH, but you can.
I know several experienced welders and they all strictly refuse to do any of such repairs on bicycle frames….the weld seam will never be as flexible and durable as the original ones and will crack again after only a very short time…and who wants to be responsible for if the frame brakes abruptly again meanwhile you’re going very fast down the hill…???
Yes, it’s repairable, but it will most likely cost far more than the cost of your bike. That HLE tubing was used on entry-level framesets for Peuguot in the early 80s. Replacing it with a similar quality/era bike would be cheaper, depending on where you live, unless you are planning to remove parts and weld it yourself. Plus, that crack is in the higher stress area, and it is most likely to crack again. If the bike has sentimental value, then repair it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t.
Possible? Perhaps.
Is it a good idea to try to keep a 1980’s frame alive after it’s first catastrophic failure? No.
Everything in life has an expiration date. That frame’s expiration date has passed. RIP.
Almost anything is possible. Almost everything is unaffordable.