:shock: I have to agree that is super thin! I've seen a number of delivery men do this to frames, but if it is stell it might straighten out, but like the other posters say, it will be a bit weaker. Still, bad luck! kick some delivery mas ass!
The other option after you've claimed is to have it straighten back again (steel is happier than alloy for that to be done) and then use a headset with loooong inserts like the king steel head, think the cups go a good 3cm into the frame rather than the standard 1cm. I had a similar one that I eventually got ring reinforced rather than a whole new headtube. Problem with the new headtude is that if its tigged most frame builders braze and it looks funny having a tigged frame with a fillet headtube!
Claim the cash and buy the frame back off em at a bargain price then use the spare to get the king
Will maybe straighten out,I've done similar things a work and it is difficult to get right,sometimes its just impossible to get it round but others.... well worth trying though.Just make sure whoever does it knows what they're doing so don't ask your local bike mech
This is why I got me sen' sorted out with headset tools and prees and such- if I make a total arse and bend stuff, I am at least able to blame myself.........I don't know if it's a factor of bein' male and middle aged, but it seems nowadays we're paying folk to do shite work- I get increasingly homicidal urges from having to dort out stuff like dishwashers that builders had 'installed' and charged handsomely for............. :x
1. Claim on the courier company, as you are doing - dont try to repair until its all sorted out
2. Frame might be ok once repaired - i've done one like it myself - but you need the right tools - if you've got a frame builder near by ask them if not an engineering/ fabrication workshop.
You need a form tool the right diameter as the outside of the headtube, and a curved mandrel for the inside to tap the shape back gently, (almost round but not quite - then a head tube reamer to finalise the fit for hte headset. A headset with long cups as has been suggested would be a good idea.
a good bike shop or frame builder can straighten it, no problem, and if you need reassurance that it will be safe you could get them to fit reinforcement rings to it. most builders use ceeway for their frame supplies, they list rings for both inch and inch-an-eighth headtubes.
Its going to be in Bob Jacksons hands soon enough. He reckons it should be alright but cheers fellas i think i will be using that CK steelset. Only £25 to get it done but he's unsure if he'll crack the paint doing it. Compensation claim has been lodged :twisted: