Is my titanium frame toast?

[ishaw]

Bought this as a full bike off eBay a while ago. Stripped it and put it in a box for a clean and polish when I had the time. Well that time was tonight and after a clean I uncovered a couple of issues that I'd like some opinions on.

Seat tube is crimped slightly where the front mech was fitted. Annoying, yes as I was going to run 1x10 so it's on show, but is it anything to worry about structurally?

More worrying is the chain suck on the chain stay. This looks bad to me, but I can't tell if it has sliced through or just looks bad.

To say I'm gutted is an understatement, as I've just finished accumulating all the bits needed to build it up. Had I noticed these issues earlier, I'd have sent it back, but too much time has passed now.

What are my options? I can't really afford to have it repaired at the moment, and suspect it won't be cost effective even if I could afford to go that route.

What do the wise folk on rb think? Don't sugar coat it, I'd like to know where I stand and stop the project now if it's terminal.

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

Crazy idea time :facepalm:

I would try dropping a little 3 in 1 type oil on the graze and see if it sinks in :facepalm:

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I did a quick test with 3 in 1 and it seemed to pool on the top rather than drain through. I'll do a more thorough test when I have more time.

If it isn't a cut, is there a safe way to tidy it up and protect it from future damage?

 

[hamster]

That doesn't look like chainsuck, more like cracking to me. Very bad news.

Personally I would get Omega (correction, Enigma) to look at it and give an expert opinion (hard to tell from a photo), but you are probably looking at a new stay.

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Not much help if so much time has passed. That crimp can happen if a previous owner tries to force on an incorrect diam front der clamp or the clamp mech design is not optimal for your frame. An incorrect/overly short clamp screw/bolt combined with overtightening by someone ham fisted can cause this. It was a common warranty issue bitd..

Crimp should not cause an issue alone but that sadly does look like a chainstay crack. Frame may have been damaged in transit. Worth checking frame alignment. If the frame is still in alignment its probably worth sending to Enigmabikes to be repaired. Maybe < £100 + shipping. I have always recorded the full box opening and detailed inpection of frames, forks and full bikes on video after my hastle with a damaged Klein sent a few years ago...

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I did take pics of the unboxing, but it wasn't damaged in transit. I've fired an email to enigma to see what they recommend.

 

[madjh]

Re:

For the seat tube you have many cheap options.

You can cover with the UCI flag :

You can put a funny sticker, the crimp could be the lips of a mosnter or something weird to make a sad thing funny.

Or something like this, a head looking that crimp ...

Perhaps something like this add some humor and you will have something to show your friends

 

[Splatter Paint]

Re:

Crimp on the seat tube - meh.

Crack on chainstay :shock: Needs welding - properly.

SP

 

[ishaw]

Re:

The enigma waiting list is very long. Any other options?

 

[mattr]

Who had their seat tube slot welded up the other week?

That *could* be an option. But with it being a chainstay you need to be wary of distortion. It also looks (possibly) like it's cracked along a seam.
The crimping, wouldn't worry. I think mine is, might have been one of the other Tis, but either way, they've all done many seasons and a lot of racing like that.