Pace RC200 head tube crack - advice needed

Mijbil · Oct 8, 2013

The headset was well and truly wedged in this one, even, with the expansion from the crack, so i think an oversize headset being wedged in might be the answer fro this one- I measured the headset and it was just over 1 1/8

jimo746":1x1vhocn said:
dyna-ti":1x1vhocn said:

Now we've established they have a tendency to crack in the headtube the question we must be asking is why? :?

Suspension fork ? Rough riding ? Must be some common denominator :?

Click to expand...

This isn't a problem reserved for Pace frames though, plenty of other manufacturers produced aluminium frames which also seemed prone to cracking at the head tube, amongst other places.

Maybe the type, grade, and thickness of the aluminium used is the issue? The fact that the RC300 came with a butted head tube also says quite a lot about the construction of the head tube itself.

And lets not forget the finite fatigue life of aluminium alloys as opposed to steel or Titanium.

I do think there is an element of user error or abuse in some cases though. The Pace frames were designed for XC/ race use, so getting "insane" air or hitting "gnarly" drop-offs is perhaps exceeding the design parameters of the frame, pretty much any frame will break if you drop in from a sufficient height.
And the increasing travel of suspension forks no doubt contributes to both the abuse the frame takes, and the stresses put on the headtube on a daily basis.

highlandsflyer · Oct 8, 2013

Repairable or not I wouldn't get into it. The seller could not possibly have been unaware of that crack, I would return it. Rare that size may be, one will turn up sooner or later. Unless the seller gives you a refund of an amount that would make it 'economic' of course.

FSXStumpy · Oct 8, 2013

I've seen lots of top/downtube and weld failures from fatigue, but just about every cracked head tube I've ever seen was from incorrect installation of headsets. Allow one to "cock" as it's pressed in, and it's "all over". One of those "simple little jobs" that can easily end a frame.

J

Rampage · Oct 8, 2013

Mijbil":16fzeq7c said:
The headset was well and truly wedged in this one, even, with the expansion from the crack, so i think an oversize headset being wedged in might be the answer fro this one- I measured the headset and it was just over 1 1/8

It has to be oversize or it would fall out. From memory 1.1/8" headset cups are 34.3mm. It needs to be tight also to stop rotating.
Likely to be poor fitting practise!

Crantinope · Oct 8, 2013

highlandsflyer":ymwn1d1x said:
Repairable or not I wouldn't get into it. The seller could not possibly have been unaware of that crack, I would return it. Rare that size may be, one will turn up sooner or later.

++++1. Why buy something you have really wanted, only to find it is damaged. Why would you want to get it repaired when you will be much happier with a straight undamaged frame, even if it takes a little while longer to source.
Pack it up, send it back and keep those eyes peeled for a replacement

Cheers.......Nick

hamster · Oct 9, 2013

dyna-ti":37bzfez2 said:
Now we've established they have a tendency to crack in the headtube the question we must be asking is why? :?

Suspension fork ? Rough riding ? Must be some common denominator :?

It's a fatigue crack. Most likely is that it is too thin, so the fatigue life is short. Poor finishing with nicks and grooves which act as stress raisers doesn't help. Make any frame of any material thin enough and it will happen.

ishaw · Oct 9, 2013

My f3 frame is much thicker at the head tube than most, if not all bikes I own made from aluminium. I could be wrong of course but I doubt it is too thin.

ringo · Oct 9, 2013

Looks like the headset is not square to me... poor fitting will have caused this crack... is my guess.

and yes... get your money back and await a better one - or at least a massive discount.

Mijbil · Oct 9, 2013

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I've decided to send it back as I don't want the hassle of the repair, or a chunk of weld staring me in the eye every time I ride to remind me I should have been more patient, or not feeling confident to push it on the trail and then stopping riding every 5 minutes just to check!

As luck would have it I'm off to view and hopefully bring home another 16.5 tomorrow!!

highlandsflyer · Oct 9, 2013

Nice one! I think you did the right thing. I would advise a nice steel frame anyway, old Al is never a great long term option.

Pace RC200 head tube crack - advice needed

Mijbil

Dirt Disciple

highlandsflyer

Retro Wizard

FSXStumpy

Retro Guru

Rampage

Crantinope

hamster

Retro Wizard

ishaw

ringo

Mijbil

Dirt Disciple

highlandsflyer

Retro Wizard

Similar threads

Latest posts