Hello guys, I just purchased second hand frame from Planet X. The thing is that upon further inspection I noticed small (1mm) dent in the tube. So the question is - could it be problem or it just minor aesthetic detail? Thank you for replies.
Please see the reference pictures:
https://ibb.co/rtzKk9j
https://ibb.co/fds7GQt
looks like they put the seat tube in upside down!
My first thought was the welder has blown through the tube at the most awkward point?
But yea, klunks idea, or its cut/mark left after the tube notching.
Poor mitre and they were hoping that the weld will fill and cover?
Difficult to tell from the pic but if the frame had been welded with two passes (sometimes happens with Ti), it could be undercut from the first pass. It'll be a weak point for sure but virtually impossible to tell if it's something that will cause an issue long term.
It'll outlast the warranty and thats all PX care about.
I'd be sending it back if it was expensive unless you know someone that can weld titanium.
Not sure why anyone buys titanium frames any more. It will crack. It's a matter of when and not if.
To redress the ballance on the PX hateing.....
It's already outlasted its first owners attention span and presumbaly the warrenty. And it's not going to be a highly loaded point (cracks generally start on the outside).
My money would go on it outlasting another owner or two at least, and if it does crack going somewhere more highly stressed like the headtube.
second hand frame from Planet X.
So even if it is a problem you have no warranty or comeback?
TBH I'd just ride it and not worry unless and until a crack actually propogates from that point...
TBF PX give a 10 year warranty on Ti currently don't they? but only to the original owner... Email them a picture, they might be interested (they won't).
It'll be fine, and if it's not, at least you didn't pay full price, and as a bonus you don't have to deal with PX "Customer service" 😉
Not sure why anyone buys titanium frames any more. It will crack. It’s a matter of when and not if.
Same for any welded frame.
I think that looks like a less than perfect mire cut which hasn't quite been covered by the weld bead.
I can't see that being a likely source of a crack - its in a low-stress area.
If it we're mine i'd just ignore it and ride it - i think trying to repair it with weld is pointless, as all you're trying to do is fill it in - not add any strength, and welding Ti is notoriously difficult.
Looks like undercut to me, the slightly raised edge where the material has ran to.
I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Given the "wave" around the depression, I'd say that was a wandering weld that's had another pass over the top. Pretty much everyone of my (novice) TIG welds look like that ;-). If it had been over-zealous mitring / filing / drilling the wrong end of the seat tube, it would go straight from the flat surface to a depression, I think.