Dent in chainstay of full suspension bike

Hi,

I’ve been offered an enduro bike. The only issue is that there is a dent in the chainstay. Please find a picture below. The owner is unable to source a replacement swingarm as the bike is made in a small factory and they do not readily replace damaged frame parts, which is strange to my mind.

The dent is in the middle and not near any welds, but I would still be worried about it going whilst riding. Any thoughts would be welcome.

https://ibb.co/cgxEHm

I wouldnt buy it,

If you’re worried before buying, it might be time to walk away. I don’t mind the odd tiny ping somewhere but that looks like damage I’d be concerned about too.

Given the warranty won’t cover you, swingarms can be very expensive for a SH frame. Price accordingly, I’d say. Possibly ask the mfr yourself too if you really want the bike.

Depends on how much they’re asking for it.

I have done the same to my bike, foot whilst still attached to pedal hit a large tree stump, bent crank arm into chain stay leaving a decent dent. Whilst I have ridden the bike extensively afterwards the gear shifting has never been the same, despite new everything I get a lot of ghost shifting when peddling over bumps. Shame really.

…not really only a “dent”!
chainstay still straight ?
I doubt.

Given the chainstay is primarily in tension I’d ride that.

I’d probably ride it, but not sure I’d buy it. Would have to be a good price and something I particularly wanted.

It is a good point that the hanger may not be where it should though.

OP, if you’re serious about this bike and can see it, definitely pay close attention to shift quality and don’t accept excuses for any problems. If someone with an already damaged bike CBA sorting sticky cables/crap indexing to flog it then I’d immediately be pricing in full bearing replacement, fork and shock full services, dropper and brake servicing too no matter what I’d been told to the contrary. Even if you do this stuff for yourself it’s all time and Parts, with the everpresent possibility of finding something broken.

figure out much it costs to replace, as that needs replace, adjust offer to suit.

I’d ride it, but I wouldn’t buy it.

I’ve got a similar dent in the seat stay on my Pitch. It doesn’t bother me, but I wouldn’t sell it to anyone for much money (if at all) as it’s worth more to me to ride than the tiny price it’s worth.

is made in a small factory and they do not readily replace damaged frame parts, which is strange to my mind.

Maybe not strange: the “small factory” orders the aluminium parts in Asia. By the container. Here in Europe they bend and twist the stuff until it fits… (embarrassing !!!???). Then they paint the stuff.

Poses a big problem to the “small factory” when a customer asks for one chainstay then.
Indication: this company doesn’t has quality control / interchangable frame parts.

Look for the costs of the parts. Fork, damper … add the costs and then add 100 bucks for the frame.

The rim looks pretty battered from that pic too. Nothing wrong with a bike being ridden how it’s designed to be, but as a second hand buyer I’d be looking for something a little less ‘used’.

That’s quite a dent, I’d be out

http://weldandbraze.blogspot.de/2013/12/broken-aluminum-frame-repair-with.html

To me that’s way too big to consider. May be fine but it would gnaw away at me and I’d be worried. As others have said if it was my bike I’d be less concerned, but I wouldn’t buy it like that.

I think they assemble them in Italy don’t they? Since they assemble them themselves you’d have thunk they’d have some spares knocking around that didnt make the cut. Maybe try contacting Steve Parr (of UKGE fame) to see if he’s got a rear triangle lying about.

For my money if it was super cheap I would be OK with it, but it would have to be cheap as…

Nope!

If it’s the MDE Damper then I suggest you email the manufacturer direct with a ‘is this ok to ride’ question. It’s one bloke and he’s apparently quite good to deal with. He might also have some spares lying around

Not sure id ride or buy that. Think it would be always on my mind.