Bought damaged bike

[adalt]

i bought a bike cheap but now see why it was. Big dent in seat tube lining up with rear wheel which sits very close to it. It doesn't rub but assume bike has been hit in the rear at some stage. Is this ok to ride still? I don't know much about integrity of aluminium frames I just don't want it to spontaneously combust when Im riding it. The frame still looks straight and no visible damage to welds etc

[Baalzamon]

That's no dent. That's a hollow so the tyre doesn't rub on the seat tube and give you a better aero effect.

[tk38]

Think baalz is right on this. It allows the chain stay to be shorter

[TMjpn]

That's definitely profiled into the tube on purpose. Not un common on racier road frames

[HappyHumber]

That's no dent. That's a hollow so the tyre doesn't rub on the seat tube and give you a better aero effect.

More for bringing in the rear wheel closer to the bottom bracket for a shorter overall wheel base. Characteristic geometry of fast road machines for time trial, triathlon and criterium and also track bikes.

Look at some of the fruitier carbon bikes for the same race purpose; the same portion of the frame appears to be moulded around the wheels diameter.

I think the aero advantage behind the post is pretty neglible for the average punter, and is probably more marketing wnak as usual.

[adalt]

my first thought too was its there on purpose but on closer inspection it isn't centered nor symmetrical, also i looked at pics of this bike on the net (late 90's giant TCR) and although the wheel sits quite close to seat tube on this model, they all have a straight seat tube. So i'm confident its damage and the wheel is sitting closer than it should be but if that is the case where is the other damage...

[Blakeylonger]

it's not damage <REMOVED LANGUAGE UNSUITABLE FOR THIS FAMILY FORUM>.

if the bike was rear ended the rim would be collapsed at 9:00, the part of the wheel at 3:00 doesn't move forward at all, that's not how wheels work.

[adalt]

it's not damage ffs.

if the bike was rear ended the rim would be collapsed at 9:00, the part of the wheel at 3:00 doesn't move forward at all, that's not how wheels work.

rim is weaker than the frame makes too much sense lol guess i was worried about nothing. also saw another tcr with a cutout http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8599 ... 2e5b_b.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . thanks guys

[Bunged Knee]

Does the rear wheel turns odd and it`s not, then it`s not a problem? It`s nothing to be worried about.

Or get another bike with no dents.

*edit* seen the above post.

[KGB]

I can't even work out a way you could cause "damage" that might look like that.
Even if, somehow, the wheel was slammed forward without destroying the rim, destroying the chain stays/seat stays and keeping it all in alignment, the seat tube would fold rather than dent inwards like that.

That is 100% normal.

[piledhigher]

The frame is toast, I'll give you $20 for it.

Be safe, not sorry...

[Duck!]

This is a frame that's suffered rear impact....



In contrast, yours is a manufactured indent to allow a combination of large-ish diameter seat tube & short stays & maintain wheel clearance....

[OldBloke]

PH, maybe Duck will sell you his frame for $20. [WINKING FACE]

[Bunged Knee]

It`s good for bumping/pothole roads.