Bowed top tube

[jamie72]

[URL=http://s44.photobucket.com/use...ips1972/20191207_133252_zpszqn2ftsg.jpg[/img][/url]

This is the photo that first made me think there was a curve

 

[jamie72]

[URL=http://s44.photobucket.com/use...ips1972/20191205_210553_zpsr2yytaqc.jpg[/img][/url]

Doesn't look too bad here so will probably live with it. Should look ok after a repaint.

 

[2manyoranges]

The paint is off in two strategic places - the top tube bow and the down tube - possibly a bend there too since older Mercian paint is quite brittle. I ride a Cannondale with a nasty ding in one seatstay, but take the risk. I would ride a bike with a small dent in the tt, but I am afraid you have a bike with a much more serious issue. Both main tubes have been stressed. I would get both tubes replaced. I regret that in your case the risk total failure of the frame is increased - by how much? Don’t know. But it’s significant damage and while I would ride this to the shops, I wouldn’t ride it down Winnat’s Pass.

 

[jamie72]

Re:

Ok with regards to the paint, I have rubbed it down with sandpaper at these points due to some rust spots.

 

[jamie72]

Re:

Ok so best bet is get it looked at by a professional framebuilder.

 

[mdvineng]

could be the result of an accident where the rider ended up sitting on the top tube or someone getting a ride as a passenger, sitting on the tube. unless the tube is kinked anywhere it should be fine strength wise.

 

[2manyoranges]

Hmmmm - thanks re rubbing down info - but then why rust spots? Possibly because paint was cracked in those areas? Classic points of bending to a frame from a frontal crash. But it will have slackened the head angle nicely....better on downhills. Obviously the tubes are not grossly kinked, and that’s a good thing. But I certainly would discuss it with a framebuilder....

 

[jamie72]

Re:

Yeah I get the idea that this bike has been left outside in the elements quite a bit in it's lifetime, hence the many rust spots across the frame. There is no creasing or denting of any kind to suggest a front end crash and the forks are straight. Original fork stamped with same frame number as bb shell.

 

[2manyoranges]

That’s interesting....indeed eliminates big front ender, which is good. Possibly an Incident in storage with something heavy coming into contact with tt - maybe weighting it up rather than whanging it....

 

[jamie72]

Re:

Yeah I suppose that is a possibility. The top tube cable guides aren't squashed or damaged either so if that was the case it would have been in between these.