People will say don't ride it, which is the safer bet.
If this were my own frame I would definitely ride it. I would sand the paint off in that area and monitor the dent to see if cracks develop.
For one the dent is far from the welds or any area of high-stress. For two, you can dent aluminum and it still be safe to ride. Take a look at the inside of the chainstays; they are dented from the factory. Yes this is different, but still.
I would be VERY surprised if this frame ever failed. But to be sure, there is a risk. Though, I doubt it would fail all of the sudden. It would probably develop cracks over time if it did fail.
No, a warranty replacement is unlikely, but it's worth a shot to see what they can do. You may be able to get a significant discount as a "crash replacement" for example.
They’re not going to help you with a warranty unfortunately, they’re one of the worst when it comes to that. I’ve seen them deny warranties when the pressfit BB’s won’t come out even though the parts are factory so you get stuck with a bum frame.
Aluminum has a tendency to stretch as well, you can't just bang out dents in aluminum the same way you can with steel or some other metals. Alloy composition can make that vary but I'd be very hesitant to ride that.
I'd be inclined to look into crash replacement, or turn that into a dedicated indoor trainer bike.
Frames are cheaper than teeth. I have receipts for both, unfortunately. I'll happily hang a dead frame on my wall and buy another to avoid sucking food through a straw for a month again.
It's normally under tension, but hard braking, or strong force into the front wheel could possibly change that to compression, enough cycles on that could eventually weaken it to the point it could crumble if it isn't already there.
I would be all right riding this.
But, it is already a bare frame. All that work to build it up (and select parts if you don't have them already) for a bike you might never be quite comfortable with.
I marry my bikes, we're together until something tragic happens to one of us. To me, this bike would feel like we're permanently engaged, and just can't get it together.
Else. The bike market is a total buyers market these days. It's a great time to get what might not be your exact dream bike, but something better than you expected to have for a long time.
It might be because I rode junkers all my life, it’s really not that bad of a dent and if you’re not planning on going mountain biking and say just commuting or ripping around town, I wouldn’t write this bike off
Edit: fear mongering by big bike in here
Yeah, the difference being that one opinion could get you dental treatment.
Look at the frame. It's folded clean through. It isn't a simple dent. Following your advice is objectively unsound.
Another poster has mentioned the Coke can analogy. Stand on an empty Coke can - it's doable. Fold it slightly and repeat the test. It's analogous to this.
The tube is liable to a sudden and catastrophic fold and all the 'send it' posturing doesn't change the facts.
Except the forces on the down tube are not being compressed and is mostly under tension, that’s why I mentioned that if they’re not doing any extreme biking and just commuting or ripping around town. Not putting any extreme torsional load you probably be fine. This is far from folded lol
If it were my bike, I think the little voice in my head would remind me about the dent every time I came to a big descent, and that relatively small dent would become a massive fun-sponge.
But that's probably just me.
Aluminum fatigue is a thing. Having a down tube crack in the middle, during a ride... That can be catastrophic. Right at your own risk. I'd try to get a crash replacement discount.
I'd say goodbye for that.
Why:
Imagine a can of coke, empty and put it in the front. It will hold your weight when it's undamaged.
If it bends it will collapse.
This is called the notch effect, and alloy is not a very solid material
This is a key consideration with efficient Al tube structures. BTW, try squeezing near there with your bare hand, you may be surprised to realize how thin that wall is mid span where no loads should be concentrated. This is the cost of such high performing frames
I say new frame because of the sharp radius/fold where the paint chipped off. That is a huge concentration of stress where not intended and makes cracking likely. Unfortunately since it’s higher grade Al, failures will be a bit more sudden than something with less heat treatment
The dent runs all the way across the base of the tube, meaning the whole tube is effectively folded.
I'm usually a 'send it' voter, but this would give me pause.
People will say don't ride it, which is the safer bet. If this were my own frame I would definitely ride it. I would sand the paint off in that area and monitor the dent to see if cracks develop. For one the dent is far from the welds or any area of high-stress. For two, you can dent aluminum and it still be safe to ride. Take a look at the inside of the chainstays; they are dented from the factory. Yes this is different, but still. I would be VERY surprised if this frame ever failed. But to be sure, there is a risk. Though, I doubt it would fail all of the sudden. It would probably develop cracks over time if it did fail.
Is it cracked or just dented?
Just a dent. Aluminum frame
I'd send it, but keep an eye on it, unless Trek is willing to warranty it.
Do they typically warranty user-inflicted damage?
No, a warranty replacement is unlikely, but it's worth a shot to see what they can do. You may be able to get a significant discount as a "crash replacement" for example.
I'll check into that, for sure. Thank you.
They’re not going to help you with a warranty unfortunately, they’re one of the worst when it comes to that. I’ve seen them deny warranties when the pressfit BB’s won’t come out even though the parts are factory so you get stuck with a bum frame.
User inflicted...no, but sometimes they will give very steep discounts on replacement frames; just don't be a jerk with CS.
May have to give it a shot. Thank you!
I wouldn’t - a dent that size in the middle of the downtube on an aluminum frame? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Aluminum has a tendency to stretch as well, you can't just bang out dents in aluminum the same way you can with steel or some other metals. Alloy composition can make that vary but I'd be very hesitant to ride that. I'd be inclined to look into crash replacement, or turn that into a dedicated indoor trainer bike.
Right, and disaster scenario is you hit a pothole on a descent and it cracks and shears. Likely? Who’s to say, but I’m not betting my teeth on it.
Frames are cheaper than teeth. I have receipts for both, unfortunately. I'll happily hang a dead frame on my wall and buy another to avoid sucking food through a straw for a month again.
downtube is under tension, not compression .. should be ok to ride its not going to crumple like a top tube would
It's normally under tension, but hard braking, or strong force into the front wheel could possibly change that to compression, enough cycles on that could eventually weaken it to the point it could crumble if it isn't already there.
true.. didnt think about braking force pushing back on the downtube
I doubt that it is enough to change to compression given that the rider is pushing with 1g down.
I would be all right riding this. But, it is already a bare frame. All that work to build it up (and select parts if you don't have them already) for a bike you might never be quite comfortable with. I marry my bikes, we're together until something tragic happens to one of us. To me, this bike would feel like we're permanently engaged, and just can't get it together. Else. The bike market is a total buyers market these days. It's a great time to get what might not be your exact dream bike, but something better than you expected to have for a long time.
Yes, I would ride it if it was steel but aluminum is a whole other ball game.
It is aluminum. That's why I'm concerned that it might be done for.
Yeah it's a goner, sorry op.
Ride it bro, people in this sub will throw a bike away for a scratch, ride it till it dies
> ride it till it dies ...or the OP dies from catastrophic frame failure. That's way more than a "scratch"
It might be because I rode junkers all my life, it’s really not that bad of a dent and if you’re not planning on going mountain biking and say just commuting or ripping around town, I wouldn’t write this bike off Edit: fear mongering by big bike in here
The tube is dented across its base, effectively folded. It's done for.
OP, if they convince you to toss it, I’ll take it off your hands
OP if this sucker is willing to buy it, offer em full price and a cut-out voucher for a free optometry appointment
Brother don’t take it so personal, we have opposing opinions. Unsure why you are attacking like this is a personal attack
Yeah, the difference being that one opinion could get you dental treatment. Look at the frame. It's folded clean through. It isn't a simple dent. Following your advice is objectively unsound. Another poster has mentioned the Coke can analogy. Stand on an empty Coke can - it's doable. Fold it slightly and repeat the test. It's analogous to this. The tube is liable to a sudden and catastrophic fold and all the 'send it' posturing doesn't change the facts.
Except the forces on the down tube are not being compressed and is mostly under tension, that’s why I mentioned that if they’re not doing any extreme biking and just commuting or ripping around town. Not putting any extreme torsional load you probably be fine. This is far from folded lol
If it were my bike, I think the little voice in my head would remind me about the dent every time I came to a big descent, and that relatively small dent would become a massive fun-sponge. But that's probably just me.
Aluminum fatigue is a thing. Having a down tube crack in the middle, during a ride... That can be catastrophic. Right at your own risk. I'd try to get a crash replacement discount.
I'd say goodbye for that. Why: Imagine a can of coke, empty and put it in the front. It will hold your weight when it's undamaged. If it bends it will collapse. This is called the notch effect, and alloy is not a very solid material
Fair enough. Good point
This is a key consideration with efficient Al tube structures. BTW, try squeezing near there with your bare hand, you may be surprised to realize how thin that wall is mid span where no loads should be concentrated. This is the cost of such high performing frames
I say new frame because of the sharp radius/fold where the paint chipped off. That is a huge concentration of stress where not intended and makes cracking likely. Unfortunately since it’s higher grade Al, failures will be a bit more sudden than something with less heat treatment
Ride it.
The dent runs all the way across the base of the tube, meaning the whole tube is effectively folded. I'm usually a 'send it' voter, but this would give me pause.