CAUTION REGARDING ALUMINUM FRAMES: Guess I'll be building a new bike...

RedBaronX

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I was just outside fixing something on my bike when I noticed-- the downtube close to where it meets the fork tube is nearly cracked all the way through...!

This was a brand new bike four months ago, and I've only got about 300 or so miles on it.

It's an aluminum frame-- I bought the bike before I knew that bicycle engines even existed, so if I had been planning a MB from the start I would have gone with steel.

I could just cry-- I've put god knows how much money into this sucker, and I've barely ridden it (yes I consider 300 miles "barely" riding it). I started this as an alternative to taking the bus-- I've been without my car for over five months already, and I am $1600 away from affording the repairs it needs. When I started the MB project, I was actually leaning towards selling the car-- otherwise I probably would have skipped the project altogether. If I had, well, I would probably be able to finish paying off the repair by the end of November.

I wouldn't trust repairing the frame.

I am currently so broke, I am literally making a batch of cabbage soup.

Well, I guess this gives me an excuse to make something from a Worksman... just don't know when that's going to happen.
 
Sorry to hear about your bad luck.

Count your blessings --It's better to find the cracked frame while looking at it & NOT riding it.

I'm going to throw out a few ideas for you.....

You really don't have to buy a whole bicycle. You can use your current wheelset & components on a suitable frame & forks. You might even be able to use your current forks....assuming they are steel.

Check your local Freecycle and Craigslist. There are tons of bikes out there with bent rims, missing pedals, rusty chains etc.... and folks will give them away.

Call around to local bike shops. Many have older, heavy weight (sturdy) frames, considered obsolete....just lying around.
**NOTE-- when talking to your bike shop people....Don't mention motor bike to them, as many find this a turnoff and they will be less likely to help you.

Check with local Metal Reclaimers.... that's where all my old frames went.

Just sayin'...... a sturdy older frame... Schwinn, Murray,(I get a bunch of Roadmasters) etc. & some elbow grease & a few hours & you'll be back on the road again, with minimal co$t.

What size are your wheels? 26" or24" ??
 
I do know how lucky I am that the frame did not fail as I was riding it because a failure like that could have been deadly.

The forks are aluminum as well I am assuming. The wheels are 26".

Whatever bike/frame I get, it's going to have to come to me as I have no car to go and get it.

I would be content with just a replacement frame and forks that would fit the wheels, crank, etc everything else... but with probably only a month or so left in the Wisconsin riding season (unless I want to ride when it gets really cold) I might as well build exactly what I would have built if I was starting completely over.

I'll look around craigslist and freecycle (one Yahoo Groups allows me to create a danged account...)

I am going to assume that I'll have to suck it up until spring (tax time) when I can get a complete Worksman-- I was eventually going to get Worksman wheels and such anyway. If I get lucky and find a used one, it will be a huge bonus.
 
Aluminum is known for catastrophic failure. Steel will usually give signs of failure that are much easier to detect. I am glad you found the problem before it caved while you were traveling down the road. I worked in bicycle shops when I was younger and have never owned an aluminum framed bicycle.
 
If the bike came from a department store like Walmart or K-Mart, maybe they'll take it back and you and allow you the purchase price on a different bike. Also, were you using a HT frame mount engine ? I don't see or hear of rack or friction drives breaking frames. I don't think anyone will argue the fact that Japanese brand engines are a lot better. There are many Japanese models to choose form that work well with rack/friction drive kits. Sorry you're in such a dilemma ! Hope your luck and finances make a quick turn for the better !
 
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going with a rack mount would be significantly more money than just a new bike-- more money that does not exist. And I am one of those who prefers the frame-mount look-- rack mounts have no aesthetic appeal to me at all.

The bike was bought through internet mail order-- little chance I would be able to return it.

This bike is/was my commuter bike (as well as looking cool). My commute is 30 miles round trip. I need something strong...

Through the Worksman site, you can buy a bike with no special options for $300... while I am not going for specifically the "BTR" look, the Worksman is probably the best bike...
 
though... the Flying Flea motorcycle has a pretty straight frame like the Worksman:

picture.php


not exactly the same, but moderately similar...
 
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