Seat tube crack

spatuluk
spatuluk Posts: 28
edited September 2012 in Workshop
Hiya

I just bought a 531-tubed frame off of ebay (a Carlton of some kind). There were a lot of photos on the listing, so I didn't think anything was being hidden. Turns out I might have been wrong. :?

There seems to be a 5mm crack just under the seat lug, at the bottom of the.. er.. whatever you call the slice taken out of the seatpost to allow tightening. :P

Outside: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spatuluk/7981992167/
Inside: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spatuluk/7981996096/

Is this something I should worry about? I'm thinking a shim of some kind might help protect it from further damage, and maybe strengthen it a bit (if I could find one to fit a 26.2mm seat tube). Is there anything else I can do?

I've used up most of my money on buying components, so I'm hoping the only option isn't 'get the tube replaced'. That sounds expensive! :(

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    looks like it has had a seat post that was too small fitted at some time.

    i would get the seat post size checked and if the clamping area need opening then do so but i would not be too worried.

    no short seat posts though.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I wouldn't be too worried about it. Besides, you've bought an old resprayed frame. Who knows what else might be going on under that paintjob but probably nothing! If you want to be absolutely sure there is nothing hidden, only buy frames with their original paint or the sort of high quality job that no one would do on a flawed frame.

    And in future try not too look so closely at old frames - it never pays off! :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • spatuluk
    spatuluk Posts: 28
    hehe. all true! I'll know for next time. :)
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Looks like it's had a bit of a bashing in your splendidly close up photos
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    Looks like the seat tube is fairly thick walled tubing, just fit a nice long well greased seatpost and it will be fine.
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I was in Paris in July. Saw a bike locked up on a railing - still regret that I couldn't photograph it until later by which time it was gone. It had had a head on collision which had bent to top tube and down tube down a few degrees and bent the forks back even more. It must have had a very relaxed geometry as the wheelbase must have been shortened by a good 6 inches! It was clearly someones daily commuter. Old bikes are meant to be slightly mangled!
    Faster than a tent.......

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