Cracks in Miele Uno 12 commuter- Safe to ride?

[Alexs_014]

Hello,

First post here. Hoping it's in the right place.

I was cleaning my old Miele commuter today, and I found some cracks around the BB/Chainstay area.

What does everyone think? It doesn't get ridden a ton and I'd rather not fuss with it if I don't have to. Am I safe to do a bit of commuting without concern of anything bad happening? I'm 195 lbs if that matters.

Thanks in advance for your input,

Alex

 

[bagpuss]

Re:

I wouldn't ride any bike with cracked tubes period . visit A&E on the cards at worst :facepalm:
Bottom bracket area is a stress point .Think of the force been applied to the cranks when pedalling.

 

[Uncle Monty]

Re:

Up to you, but my 2p as you have asked:

Please don't ride that anymore. You could really hurt yourself. Just not worth it. Check your fork.

Oh and welcome to the forum!

 

[Bats]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't ride any bike with cracked tubes period . visit A&E on the cards at worst :facepalm:
Bottom bracket area is a stress point .Think of the force been applied to the cranks when pedalling.

Certain types of cracks are harmless, ones circling the headtube but not going through the lugs springs to mind, as the headset and steerer keep it pinned shut.

That said the OPs bike makes me really suspicious. I wouldn't ride that on the street, but taking it a skate park and getting air until it snaps could be a laugh.

 

[carlrh]

Is it just me as it looks like its cracked on both sides?
I wouldnt ride it.

 

[Alexs_014]

Re:

It is in fact cracked on both sides.

Okay, you guys win, I won't ride it. I appreciate the feedback!

Next question is: Should I look into having it repaired, or find a new frame?

Thanks again.

 

[jon w]

Phew. I'm glad your not riding it anymore. That looks bad.

Depending on the cost of or your attachment to the frame you could get it brazed and re-painted. A new frame will probably be cheaper though.

 

[rrarider]

Since you seem to have given up on the frame, why don't you sandpaper/wire brush the area to find out what is actually happening to the metal beneath the paint? To my eyes it looks like it might just be the paint lifting. It's worth bearing in mind that the main tubes do go inside the lugs for some distance and the brazing is done to stop the tubes moving longitudinally in the lugs, it doesn't provide any strength for transverse loads.

 

[Jonny69]

Are you 100% sure it's cracked the metal and not just the paint where it is brazed? Can you open the cracks up by leaning on the frame? It's just curious that it's done it on all those tubes. I've seen aluminium frames crack like that (e.g. Dolan Track Champion), but not a steel frame, especially a non-specialist frame like that.

 

[Alexs_014]

Re:

So I removed paint from the cracked areas today, and discovered that the cracks circling the chainstays where they enter the lugs seem to have disappeared, indicating to me they were just paint deep.

The bad news is that the cracks on either end of the small brace on the inside of the chainstays is quite bad. I can put my fingernail in at least one, if not both of those cracks.

I think frame shopping is in order. Your thoughts gents?