Banged frame: Is it still safe to use?
My girlfriend's bicycle was vandalized by a neighbour. It seems like they banged it with a hammer or something right in the middle of the frame. Is this still safe to use?
frames safety
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
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My girlfriend's bicycle was vandalized by a neighbour. It seems like they banged it with a hammer or something right in the middle of the frame. Is this still safe to use?
frames safety
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That looks like a thin-walled aluminum frame. Try this: sit down in a chair. Take an empty aluminum soda can and put it upright on the floor in front of you. Take one of your feet, place it on top of the can and slowly put a decent amount of weight on the can - not enough to crush it, but a good amount of weight. Now carefully lean over, and without removing any of the pressure from your foot on the can, tap the side of the can with your finger. That can will collapse almost immediately if you do it right. Tubes get a lot of their strength from the uniform shape - dents ruin that.
– Andrew Henle
45 mins ago
I thought Condor Fratello(s) were steel so edit the question with frame material - most answers are assuming aluminium at this point. I expect the answer will still be to not ride the bike but you might get input on how to get it fixed well. It’s certainly a quality frame worth considering fixing (and getting neighbour to foot the bill).
– Swifty
34 mins ago
add a comment |
My girlfriend's bicycle was vandalized by a neighbour. It seems like they banged it with a hammer or something right in the middle of the frame. Is this still safe to use?
frames safety
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
My girlfriend's bicycle was vandalized by a neighbour. It seems like they banged it with a hammer or something right in the middle of the frame. Is this still safe to use?
frames safety
frames safety
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
asked 1 hour ago
JonorlJonorl
111
111
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jonorl is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That looks like a thin-walled aluminum frame. Try this: sit down in a chair. Take an empty aluminum soda can and put it upright on the floor in front of you. Take one of your feet, place it on top of the can and slowly put a decent amount of weight on the can - not enough to crush it, but a good amount of weight. Now carefully lean over, and without removing any of the pressure from your foot on the can, tap the side of the can with your finger. That can will collapse almost immediately if you do it right. Tubes get a lot of their strength from the uniform shape - dents ruin that.
– Andrew Henle
45 mins ago
I thought Condor Fratello(s) were steel so edit the question with frame material - most answers are assuming aluminium at this point. I expect the answer will still be to not ride the bike but you might get input on how to get it fixed well. It’s certainly a quality frame worth considering fixing (and getting neighbour to foot the bill).
– Swifty
34 mins ago
add a comment |
That looks like a thin-walled aluminum frame. Try this: sit down in a chair. Take an empty aluminum soda can and put it upright on the floor in front of you. Take one of your feet, place it on top of the can and slowly put a decent amount of weight on the can - not enough to crush it, but a good amount of weight. Now carefully lean over, and without removing any of the pressure from your foot on the can, tap the side of the can with your finger. That can will collapse almost immediately if you do it right. Tubes get a lot of their strength from the uniform shape - dents ruin that.
– Andrew Henle
45 mins ago
I thought Condor Fratello(s) were steel so edit the question with frame material - most answers are assuming aluminium at this point. I expect the answer will still be to not ride the bike but you might get input on how to get it fixed well. It’s certainly a quality frame worth considering fixing (and getting neighbour to foot the bill).
– Swifty
34 mins ago
That looks like a thin-walled aluminum frame. Try this: sit down in a chair. Take an empty aluminum soda can and put it upright on the floor in front of you. Take one of your feet, place it on top of the can and slowly put a decent amount of weight on the can - not enough to crush it, but a good amount of weight. Now carefully lean over, and without removing any of the pressure from your foot on the can, tap the side of the can with your finger. That can will collapse almost immediately if you do it right. Tubes get a lot of their strength from the uniform shape - dents ruin that.
– Andrew Henle
45 mins ago
That looks like a thin-walled aluminum frame. Try this: sit down in a chair. Take an empty aluminum soda can and put it upright on the floor in front of you. Take one of your feet, place it on top of the can and slowly put a decent amount of weight on the can - not enough to crush it, but a good amount of weight. Now carefully lean over, and without removing any of the pressure from your foot on the can, tap the side of the can with your finger. That can will collapse almost immediately if you do it right. Tubes get a lot of their strength from the uniform shape - dents ruin that.
– Andrew Henle
45 mins ago
I thought Condor Fratello(s) were steel so edit the question with frame material - most answers are assuming aluminium at this point. I expect the answer will still be to not ride the bike but you might get input on how to get it fixed well. It’s certainly a quality frame worth considering fixing (and getting neighbour to foot the bill).
– Swifty
34 mins ago
I thought Condor Fratello(s) were steel so edit the question with frame material - most answers are assuming aluminium at this point. I expect the answer will still be to not ride the bike but you might get input on how to get it fixed well. It’s certainly a quality frame worth considering fixing (and getting neighbour to foot the bill).
– Swifty
34 mins ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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oldest
votes
Sorry for that act of vandalism that happened to you. But I'd refrain from using this bicycle any longer. You'd have problems riding it in a straight line because the wheels are certainly misaligned now which could even cause more uncertain behaviour at speed. The other danger could reside in the sudden failure of the compromised top tube of the frame.
The only thing you could do, apart from filing a complaint with the police would be to take the bike apart and re-use or sell all the undamaged parts.
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
add a comment |
That frame is definitely not safe to ride anymore. While some steel frames can handle dents pretty well, that is some major damage in what seems to me an aluminium frame. The top tube seems both dented and bent, which likely has affected the steering of the bicycle and also introduces risk of the frame bending inwards under stress.
I recommend you don't ride that anymore, start looking for a replacement and see if you can get the person responsible for that to fund it.
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
add a comment |
Unfortunately I think that level of damage with a big dent and buckled top tube will make the bike dangerous to ride. There's a chance that when a big bump or pothole is hit the top tube will fold and dump the rider face first into the road.
Additionally, the head tube probably is not aligned with the seat tube anymore, which means the wheels are misaligned which will negatively effect steering.
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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active
oldest
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votes
Sorry for that act of vandalism that happened to you. But I'd refrain from using this bicycle any longer. You'd have problems riding it in a straight line because the wheels are certainly misaligned now which could even cause more uncertain behaviour at speed. The other danger could reside in the sudden failure of the compromised top tube of the frame.
The only thing you could do, apart from filing a complaint with the police would be to take the bike apart and re-use or sell all the undamaged parts.
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
add a comment |
Sorry for that act of vandalism that happened to you. But I'd refrain from using this bicycle any longer. You'd have problems riding it in a straight line because the wheels are certainly misaligned now which could even cause more uncertain behaviour at speed. The other danger could reside in the sudden failure of the compromised top tube of the frame.
The only thing you could do, apart from filing a complaint with the police would be to take the bike apart and re-use or sell all the undamaged parts.
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
add a comment |
Sorry for that act of vandalism that happened to you. But I'd refrain from using this bicycle any longer. You'd have problems riding it in a straight line because the wheels are certainly misaligned now which could even cause more uncertain behaviour at speed. The other danger could reside in the sudden failure of the compromised top tube of the frame.
The only thing you could do, apart from filing a complaint with the police would be to take the bike apart and re-use or sell all the undamaged parts.
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
Sorry for that act of vandalism that happened to you. But I'd refrain from using this bicycle any longer. You'd have problems riding it in a straight line because the wheels are certainly misaligned now which could even cause more uncertain behaviour at speed. The other danger could reside in the sudden failure of the compromised top tube of the frame.
The only thing you could do, apart from filing a complaint with the police would be to take the bike apart and re-use or sell all the undamaged parts.
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
answered 1 hour ago
CarelCarel
3,6031812
3,6031812
add a comment |
add a comment |
That frame is definitely not safe to ride anymore. While some steel frames can handle dents pretty well, that is some major damage in what seems to me an aluminium frame. The top tube seems both dented and bent, which likely has affected the steering of the bicycle and also introduces risk of the frame bending inwards under stress.
I recommend you don't ride that anymore, start looking for a replacement and see if you can get the person responsible for that to fund it.
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
add a comment |
That frame is definitely not safe to ride anymore. While some steel frames can handle dents pretty well, that is some major damage in what seems to me an aluminium frame. The top tube seems both dented and bent, which likely has affected the steering of the bicycle and also introduces risk of the frame bending inwards under stress.
I recommend you don't ride that anymore, start looking for a replacement and see if you can get the person responsible for that to fund it.
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
add a comment |
That frame is definitely not safe to ride anymore. While some steel frames can handle dents pretty well, that is some major damage in what seems to me an aluminium frame. The top tube seems both dented and bent, which likely has affected the steering of the bicycle and also introduces risk of the frame bending inwards under stress.
I recommend you don't ride that anymore, start looking for a replacement and see if you can get the person responsible for that to fund it.
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
That frame is definitely not safe to ride anymore. While some steel frames can handle dents pretty well, that is some major damage in what seems to me an aluminium frame. The top tube seems both dented and bent, which likely has affected the steering of the bicycle and also introduces risk of the frame bending inwards under stress.
I recommend you don't ride that anymore, start looking for a replacement and see if you can get the person responsible for that to fund it.
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
answered 1 hour ago
Walto SalonenWalto Salonen
23916
23916
add a comment |
add a comment |
Unfortunately I think that level of damage with a big dent and buckled top tube will make the bike dangerous to ride. There's a chance that when a big bump or pothole is hit the top tube will fold and dump the rider face first into the road.
Additionally, the head tube probably is not aligned with the seat tube anymore, which means the wheels are misaligned which will negatively effect steering.
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
add a comment |
Unfortunately I think that level of damage with a big dent and buckled top tube will make the bike dangerous to ride. There's a chance that when a big bump or pothole is hit the top tube will fold and dump the rider face first into the road.
Additionally, the head tube probably is not aligned with the seat tube anymore, which means the wheels are misaligned which will negatively effect steering.
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
add a comment |
Unfortunately I think that level of damage with a big dent and buckled top tube will make the bike dangerous to ride. There's a chance that when a big bump or pothole is hit the top tube will fold and dump the rider face first into the road.
Additionally, the head tube probably is not aligned with the seat tube anymore, which means the wheels are misaligned which will negatively effect steering.
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
Unfortunately I think that level of damage with a big dent and buckled top tube will make the bike dangerous to ride. There's a chance that when a big bump or pothole is hit the top tube will fold and dump the rider face first into the road.
Additionally, the head tube probably is not aligned with the seat tube anymore, which means the wheels are misaligned which will negatively effect steering.
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
answered 1 hour ago
Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus
33.5k23583
33.5k23583
add a comment |
add a comment |
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That looks like a thin-walled aluminum frame. Try this: sit down in a chair. Take an empty aluminum soda can and put it upright on the floor in front of you. Take one of your feet, place it on top of the can and slowly put a decent amount of weight on the can - not enough to crush it, but a good amount of weight. Now carefully lean over, and without removing any of the pressure from your foot on the can, tap the side of the can with your finger. That can will collapse almost immediately if you do it right. Tubes get a lot of their strength from the uniform shape - dents ruin that.
– Andrew Henle
45 mins ago
I thought Condor Fratello(s) were steel so edit the question with frame material - most answers are assuming aluminium at this point. I expect the answer will still be to not ride the bike but you might get input on how to get it fixed well. It’s certainly a quality frame worth considering fixing (and getting neighbour to foot the bill).
– Swifty
34 mins ago