Dent in Frame/Swapping Components to New Frame

Matt-B

I have an old Dyna Tech Aspin, generously donated to me by my Dad, which I currently use for commuting to work and general road use. It has managed to acquire a dent in the top tube, a few centimetres wide - shown in the picture below.

http://www.geocities.com/matt.bailey@bt ... CD0002.JPG

Is this anything to worry about? I am still riding to work on it and don't want it to fall apart on me!

Also, thinking slightly more long term, I have been thinking about upgrading (the Dyna-Tech is nearly 8 years old, at last count!) but am a little skint after a recent MTB upgrade. I have been looking at maybe getting a Planet-X Kaffenback frame and forks, and transferring all the components from the Dyna-Tech and then upgrading as money will allow over the next few months/years. Does this seem feasible? I know I will have to get a new headset, stem and a couple of other things, but it seems the cheapest way to go about upgrading my commuting hack! Any advice would be welcomed.

My Dyna-Tech:

http://www.geocities.com/matt.bailey@btinternet.com/ABCD0001.JPG

Smokin Joe

I've seen worse than that. The metal isn't creased and the paint is intact, I wouldn't worry about it.

Matt-B

Yeah, that's what I thought - it doesn't seem to affect the ride at all, and it has been there for a few months and isn't getting worse.

Having said that - I am a sucker for new shiny things. Has anyone else ever swapped components from one frame to another? How difficult is it? I am not overly mechanically-minded - am I a fool to think about trying?

meagain

What Smokin Joe says: can't see that sufficient to cause any danger at all.

cyclingfury

I think bikes with a few "battle scars" are a good thing. It shows that it's a piece of kit that has been used and enjoyed. A few dents and scratches give a bike a bit of personality in my opinion.

meagain

"Has anyone else ever swapped components from one frame to another? How difficult is it? I am not overly mechanically-minded - am I a fool to think about trying?"

Many, many times! Easy enough - if sometimes a bit frustrating....there always seem to be some bits that are not totally interchangeable! That said it is an ideal introduction to putting a bike together and knowing *how it all works*.

Potentially most expensive non-matches are within the drive train - rear hub, bottom bracket, shifters (make sure stay with same number of sprockets/rings!). Seat posts rarely same diameter.

Can always ask Qs on here as you go along...

Matt-B

Thanks! That's a pretty encouraging result then. The bike won't fall apart as I ride to work, and my long-term plan is technically feasible!

Yeah, I thought it could be more of a 'project' for a couple of weeks. I know not everything will transfer, but I am keen to learn more maintenance-wise, and I thought it would be a good way to go about it. Plus a few things need replacing anyway - notably the front shifter/derailleur setup.

I won't be able to do it for a week or two anyway, as I only have one working bike at the moment, and I have to keep one in working order so that I can get to work!

Thanks for the advice though everyone - are there any pitfalls I would do well to avoid when stripping one frame to move to another?

meagain

TIp: IF you can identify in advance what WON'T transfer, e.g. seat post, buy before you start. Minimises down time AND the "aaaarrrrgghhh" factor!

Matt-B

OK, thanks! I will try and work out all the measurements and then see what I need to buy prior to getting the new frame.

Finally - I am having some trouble with my front derailleur - the chain is on the large chainring and won't shift to the smaller one. I went to undo the cable clamp bolt on my derailleur and I can't, as the chainrings are in the way...! It is an allen bolt but I can't fit an allen key in the space between the chainring and the derailleur. It is a shimano RSX bottom pull derailleur - has anyone else encountered this? There must be a way to undo it!