Willier Owners. Is this a dent or design?

silverpigeon
silverpigeon Posts: 327
edited January 2011 in Workshop
I've just noticed this dent in my frame but I've never crashed or fallen off. There are no creases or scratches to the paintwork. It also seems to be symmetrical so it might be there by design to give some clearance for the front mech, but I've never seen that on any other bike I've had - and I've had loads over the years.

I've never noticed it before though and now it's niggling me. What do you think?

P1040238.jpg
Basso Astra
Principia Ellipse SX
Kinesis Racelight 4S
Kinesis Crosslight Pro Disc

Comments

  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    Lots of frames with large diameter seat tubes have these indents to give clearance for the front mech. Most of the time they are unnecessary.
  • silverpigeon
    silverpigeon Posts: 327
    Cheers BB. That's why I was scratching my head. It is a large diameter seat tube, but seems unnecessary to have the indent.

    Thanks again
    Basso Astra
    Principia Ellipse SX
    Kinesis Racelight 4S
    Kinesis Crosslight Pro Disc
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    Exactly - I dunna know why they put the indents in. I use a small 34/42 chainset and this means I have to fix the front mech further towards the bottom of the seat tube than usual ... only they frame has a bloody indent.
  • Valy
    Valy Posts: 1,321
    Just curious - where are you talking about? Just above the hanger?
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  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Frame design evolved around small diameter tubes and established standards for chainline - the dent simply allows the front mech to move inboard enough to move the chain onto the inner ring.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • silverpigeon
    silverpigeon Posts: 327
    Valy wrote:
    Just curious - where are you talking about? Just above the hanger?

    Just below the hanger band - photo isn't very clear I know.
    Basso Astra
    Principia Ellipse SX
    Kinesis Racelight 4S
    Kinesis Crosslight Pro Disc
  • Valy
    Valy Posts: 1,321
    Oh yeah - see it now! :D

    But to add my £0.02 it does seem to be in line with what everyone else said here - that is's just for the derailleur to move into.
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  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Frame design evolved around small diameter tubes and established standards for chainline - the dent simply allows the front mech to move inboard enough to move the chain onto the inner ring.

    Yes, that is the thinking, but they are still unecessary on your average carbon frame with a 34.9 seat tube.
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    It's perfectly normal. I built up a Wilier Cento Uno in the summer and it had exactly the same tubing moulding, although I admit it made me wonder the sam thing for a while too.
  • marin_maniac
    marin_maniac Posts: 513
    I have the same dent on my Trek and Boardman.

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