No idea how it got there, but when I apply pressure the rod doesn’t seem to be moving or weakened. To be clear: it’s two dents into a seat stay made of aluminum. Trek frame.
I’d feel better if I could repair it. Am I an idiot for attempting this? How would I go about it? Thanks!
by Totally-not-nuts
10 Comments
That looks sketchy as hell. If it were steel I’d say bend it back and keep an eye on it, but aluminum is a different story. I’m not experienced with aluminum, so maybe someone else can chime in, but my instinct is that this frame is toast
I would not ride this and I am 98% sure that fixing it will cost more than the frame would cost to replace.
Not economical to repair, not smart to ride.
You can repair it, but it’s not simple. The aluminum grade will be 6061, which is tempered (hardened). The paint would need to be stripped. It would then need to be annealed, bent back to form, and re-tempered. Not ‘difficult’ necessarily, but a tad laborious.
This frame is dead, brother.
Well, you could fix it with a spline.
But definitely not invisibly…
Aluminum doesn’t like unplanned bends, and the repair would cost more than the frame is worth. The good news is aluminum frames are pretty cheap.
Are you sure that’s aluminium and not steel?
Wrap it in duck tape, it’ll be good. /s
You can but I would advise you to take health and dental insurance to the max if you ride it.