what is the seat tube diameter? Maybe just get them to supply you with a dropper post so you can still lower the saddle without going too deep into the frame?
Oh that's utterly pants...such a beautifully built frame too.
That said, the bike shop has held up their hand to the error and there's an offer of FOC help from the forums - proof that this place has some absolutely brilliant folk on it.
Give Ben's offer a go and if it's still not right then I guess it's a case of replacing the tube. It's not ideal but it's better than having to throw it in the skip and start from scratch.
31.6 post, think ill get away with the seat post as I am massive anyway.
As ive already said, they have been really good about it so far so Im angry but not overflowing with rage. May well take ben up on the offer then make a carbon sheath to protect the area from impact in the future.
Aw that's so frustrating.
I do remember thinking that the frame weight was on the lighter side - how thick was the tubing gauge at that point? I'm not saying it was anything other than the shop's fault, but it's more excusable if the tube was unusually soft/thin.
Surely the only solution you're going to be 100% happy with is to replace the tube? Get a price for the work from a framebuilder and charge that amount to the bike shop. Whether or not you DIY it is up to you.
Superficial - 2.5kg is still heavier than a solaris, it was using the proper 853 front triangle tubes (and then pre-shaped zona rear triangle), thickest gauge that I could get in the widest diameter. Where they clamped it it was 0.5mm thick. Even with replacing the tube I wouldn't be 100% with it as id have to re-soak it and re-frame saver, dont want to induce any more rust.
I'd get them to do that to the rest of the downtube then sell the idea to the 'top framebuilders' as some sort of CFD/aero/stress relieved new fangled research. You will undoubtedly make £m's. My commission is the usual 15% please.
Columbus would sue your ass 😉
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Wow! That's a real shame. Talk about ham-fisted!
I hope you get it resolved in a manner that you are satisfied with. They've made a right mess of it and didn't even have the tool you went to them for....! Impressed with how calm you sound about it, to be honest.
This might help - I googled "tube dent expander"
The smallest one does tubes from 30mm bore - would maybe just need to sweat out one of the bottle bosses - and buy the worlds longest socket ratchet extension 🙂
You could also use them for holding tubes / lugs during filing on whatever you build next.
I think I'd ask for a new tube-set and let Ben work his magic on the current frame.
I don't think that's being greedy, if it had been an off the peg frame they would of have to of replace it. Repairs only an option due to it being your first home built one IMO.
Just spoken to them and they want a local frame builder to look over it, which is fair enough, to see if they agree with keiths (from reynolds) opinion that now he wouldn't be happy with riding it on the rough stuff.
If the builder agrees with keith then they are paying for a like-for-like frame from said builder for me. If he doesnt then I am not sure where we go from there but I imagine some form of repair at their cost would be in order.
A few years ago Mercian cycles in Derby managed to squash part of my Colnago Dream top tube. It was one of the clover leaf style tubes.
I got a new frame and forks out of them. And a headset too i think.
That's unbelievable, how on earth??! I camnt imagine what they were thinking, squashing a thin steel frame like that??
For sure I'd be asking them to pay a pro to replace/repair the tube.