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Hivemind - I dropped my laden Fargo this morning and it caught a wall putting a nasty looking ding in the top of the top tube.
How do I find out if the frame is compromised?
Do you know any steel frame repairers?
Is it ok if I cry a little bit?
Cheers
How bug is the dent? I have a lightweight steel frame that has a 20mm long/5mm deep dent in a 30mm diameter top tube and it's been fine for the past 2 years. I would keep an eye on it but most dents aren't a problem
EDIT: yep it's ok to cry a little bit
Thanks - it's right on the top. So sad, so very sad. 😥
If there are no sharp creases, carry on riding. Steel frames are often deliberately dented to accommodate chainrings or wheels for example and if the dent is smooth and progressive it doesn't weaken the tube. But any sharp point will act as a stress riser, the same as when you nick something with a tooth before tearing it open.
I did pretty much exactly the same thing to my Soma Double Cross. Gutted. Filled the dent with epoxy and stuck a carbon fibre sticker over the top because I couldn't stand looking at it and rode it, quite hard. for another 18 months without any issues.
The thought of it still upsets me. On the plus side, you can at least get steel repaired relatively easily, though it would need a repaint too I guess. You're on the Sheffield side of the Peak right? Maybe have a word with the guys at 18 Bikes?
Thanks for the insights - it looks a bit too "creased" to be safe to my eyes so I'm going to look into repair.
I'm Nottingham based but work in Manchester and Leeds so fair to say "The North" works for me.
I might nip into Woodrup Cycles tomorrow as they build on site - lovely stuff they do too.
Got to Woodrup last night with the Fargo and we hummed and hawwed about the ding. I decided to get the top tube replaced and due to cash flow will just have a clear lacquer applied to the top tube for now. Should take about a month.
Good looking builds in the shop by their own custom builds - sweet belt drive stuff and lush old school road stuff. Well thought out bikes.
Nice chaps too.
If you go further east, you could try Dave Yates in Coningsby
Edit: sorry! ned in not-reading-the-whole-thread-and-missing-the-OP's-resolution fail.
Just out of interest, how much is that going to cost for TT replacement? (roughly)
£80 for the TT and as much as you'd like to spend on paint! I'm getting it clear lacquered so I don't loose the decals elsewhere.
Salsa decals anyone? (i.e. where to buy or have replicated?)