New frame required?

jemcowen

I've recently had a bit of a struggle removing the internal bottom bracket on my Schwinn Moab 3 (alloy frame). After failing to remove it myself, it was eventually extracted by a bike shop after another shop and a garage failed. So i now have a new BB fitted, but have now spotted a small crack on the exterior of the frame casing into which the BB threads, most probably as a result of the attempts to remove it. The crack is on the drive side, at 4 o'clock as you look at the drive side spindle end-on. The crack runs parallel to the spindle. My suspicion is that the frame probably needs replacing, as I'm concerned the crack will develop with potentially serious results. However, before I commit, I wondered if anyone else has had this happen and whether my concerns may be unfounded.

Thanks in advance...

supersonic

Almost undoubtedly needs replacing, but if you can get any pics we can have a closer look.

nicklouse

pics of the "crack"

have you removed more paint to check what it is?

jemcowen

OK, see here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jemcowen/s ... 212145734/
Having seen the photos, I think I've convinced myself!

Regarding replacements, I'm currently considering:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=12527
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=12529
which seem to get good reviews, but any recommendations gratefully received...

supersonic

At first glance I thought 'jeezus christ!'. But looking further, the failure mode there is atypical of one at the BB, and the paint looks very thick. In places it has dropped back to the bare alu and I am willing to bet that if you stripped it all back it may just be sound.

nicklouse

as above. where do you think the crack is?

jemcowen

Crack is full depth, ie all the way through to BB thread so I think my mind's made up. Thanks for your input guys.

The Northern Monkey

If it is a crack, it should be a warranty job surely.

Lapierre's crack here all the time.

edit: I thought this was the thread about the boardman

02gf74

depends how much you value the frame and how much it would cost for a replacement.

that could be easily TIG weleded plus threads cleaned up.

I have seen photos of a couple of PACE frames that had done this on the headtuibe that were successfulyu repaired.


Bear in mind failiure of the head tube would result in farm more serious consequences than just left pedalling in thin air.

most likely the removal of the BB caused this.

Andy!

Could have been caused by someone not realising that the thread is left handed and used a lot of torque (I a thinking the garage as they would not be bike familiar).

cavegiant

I would not worry about it.
If i didn't have the spare cash, or didn't see a new frame as an upgrade I would just reinforce the area and leave it.

Either wrap with carbon fibre or use one of these

[img]imgrefurl=http://fotosa.ru/ru/stock/search.asp?ID=2580806&usg=__E_LTk7O56YibkhfY_wjFcWYo7qI=&h=387&w=580&sz=63&hl=en&start=70&zoom=1&tbnid=hRkUastV9Pyv2M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=165&ei=9YV4TYCfFJOQ4gaBq523BQ&prev=/images?q=metal+clamp&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1920&bih=979&tbs=isch:10,600&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=547&vpy=656&dur=2425&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=127&ty=89&oei=4YV4TYnND8mXhQebx_X0Bg&page=2&ndsp=67&ved=1t:429,r:26,s:70&biw=1920&bih=979[/img]