Just got my first road bike, I don’t really know anything on the “mechanical side”. Only after buying it I saw this huge weld, and it seems a bit chunky compared to the other ones. Is this normal? Could it mean the frame was broken? And the most important thing, is it safe to ride?
by CMIanis
15 Comments
Looks like a weld done by me… So no, not normal for a professional weld
Yep, it’s just unpolished. Normal aluminum weld.
No, this is not a normal aluminum weld – especially in this exposed spot.
It would help to see a picture where the spot is actually not so dark you cannot see anything – and knowing what brand and/or source you had for the bike.
Normal for a weld done by a stoned chimp maybe…
I’m a welder and to me that looks like a repaired weld and it’s not particularly great repair. I can see a crack still sneaking out from under it.
It could have been done at factory. Some of those factories have pretty bad quality control. Paint job looks untouched but it’s only one picture so I can’t determine. Alu welding is very hot and it destroys any paint near it within finger length distance.
Looks like a repair
Bad repair on aluminum frame. There is already a crack which implies no heat treatment, typical of amateur aluminum repairs on 6061-T6 or 7005-T8. Moreover, the flat black paint looks uneven and covers a couple of scrapes a little further up the top tube that look like crash damage.
Return it
Welder had a bad day
Just look a bit Infront of the welds you see dents, also the paint is rough and yes the welds for sure looks to be from a repair.
This was probably done recently, if It’s safe only time can tell. I would be okay riding this normally, but definitely not downhill or offroad/woods.
yeah it’s just ugly
Looks like a standard allez weld. Those are hideous too
Ooof
Is my real first reaction when I saw your picture
Don’t know about the weld but your thumb is so big!
Normal for the new hire … he’s getting better though.