Dented top tube - advice please?

stb99

Hello,

I would like some advice please. I have been given a 80s Raleigh Record Sprint with a slight ding in the top tube. I have attached pics, but due to the glossy black paint and the compression the dent is not portrayed too well.
To describe it, the ding is located on the top of the top tube, around 2cm from the seatpost lugs. It is around 1cm wide, and maybe 1-2mm deep. The frame is Reynolds 501.
The dent is almost invisible unless you look at the bike just right. I am interested in converting this bike into a fixed gear winter bike that will not be ridden really hard, but how concerned should I be about this dent? Is it dangerous? My LBS say it is fine, but to be honest I go into that shop more because it is ‘L’ and less because I value it as a ‘BS’. I would appreciate the views of the forum on this one please.

Thanks,

Stb99

BillyMansell

Nowt to worry about. I've caused much worse to a lightweight steel frame and it's still in use twenty years later.

John Clark1

As above - its fine - ride on that man. Its a piece of metal tube.

gozzy

Totally fine.

drlodge

I've got a dent much worse than that in my 531 Pro frame, and its been fine for the last 20 years.

Monty Dog

Reynolds 501 is pretty hefty - you'd have to give it a battering with a 4lb club hammer to compromise the frame

ugo.santalucia

Absolutely fine to ride

stb99

Thank you all for your replies. You have given me confidence that the frame won't give way or anything like that. It sounds like the grim reaper won't be coming for me yet, or at least not because of this top tube dent!