I was on a week long bike tour on September. On the last day of my tour near my end point, a deer hit my frame while descending a hill. My only injury was road rash.
I know that it is possible to replace the down and top tubes on this bike. I got an estimate from a steel builder. My question is not if this is economical. My question is will the replacement tubes will be as strong and safe as a new frame?
by BigglyPigglyWiggly
13 Comments
I’m all about repairing and reuse, but for me this is a recycle and replace.
(Glad to hear the incident wasn’t much worse!)
If you find a good frame builder willing to do it, they can be replaced and they can be as strong, but you need a new fork as well and it’s almost certainly gonna cost you more than a bespoke frame from said builder.
This frame is cooked. Time to get a new one!
It’s not economical. This is an off the shelf Fuji. Unless money is no object and you have sentimental reasons for wanting it fixed, scrap this frame and replace. Glad you are ok.
Edit: sorry. I didn’t read your question closely. It won’t be as strong IMO because the tubes will have to be reheated to welding temps to make the repairs. heating and cooling cycles typically are not great for adding strength to tubes.
He’s dead Jim.
Your frame is totaled. You don’t know what other invisible damage occurred that you can’t see.
Buy a replacement frame. You can re-use the components. You survived without serious injury. Declare victory and move on.
Most frame builders will tell you it’s not worth their time and the ones that don’t will charge more than the frame costs. So if you really love it try and get a quote but if not it’s time to upgrade/replace
totalled.
buy a new frame, n transfer over all other components. peace of mind on reliability n no hidden damage
That bike lived a good life. Time to ship of theseus it.
It should be plenty strong. You could even make it stronger if you want, get tubing with thicker walls in the middle and the butts, or even go straight gauge. I’d probably follow the frame builders advice on tubing choice however.
With a few assumptions, yes, it can be repaired and absolutely be as good or better than original.
be sure to pull off that head badge before binning it
Tube replacement is something for a lugged and brazed frame, yours is welded. It’s possible in theory but it would probably cost as much as a new frame and not be as strong due to the repeated heating if the remaining tubes.
I could never trust that frame. A fast descent would scare me a lot.