Rocky Mountain Cirrus [trouble] Cracked Seat Tube

[manIK]

I'm a sad rider today, my friends...

My baby, my muse... my best friend... nay, scratch that, my first, true love...

She's broken...

I still remember that day, all those years ago, plucking her from the hanger on high and lo'unto the dealer, bellowing: "Build me this!"

And although many a part has been replaced, down this long road of dirt and grease and traffic, she, my love, has remained... The rock.

I can't stand the idea of something new. Something... par.

I don't know how long it's been there, I'm just getting back to riding after about 7 years on and off. I noticed it for the first time last year. I was never a heavy rider - 175-180.

But now I'm at a crossroads. If it's terminal, I'm sad. If it can be fixed - I'll do whatever it takes, save as long as I have to...

Any advice?

 

[gump]

Bad news, nice bikes.

Looks like there is some clearance at front and back of ST where it has flared a bit, suggesting not much ST in frame?

Anyhow, not an easy fix I think. Not sure what you could do now, thats a big chunk about to come off!

 

[manIK]

Thanks for the reply gump.

There is about 3.5 - 4 inches inside the tube. I noticed the flare - that's definitely rough-housing pot holes and bad roads for over 15 years with my butt planted into the seat. GO HARDTAIL!

My only thought was tearing it down and bringing it to a specialty aluminum welder - but I don't know if that will fix it necessarily. I fear it would forever be compromised - unless, of course, they REALLY built it up around the whole top of it - possibly even removing the quick-release function (though not welding the seat post into the tube lol )

But I don't know... I'm really just not sure if it can be done or if it's even worth doing if it's just going to crack again or compromise the frames integrity.

 

[FairfaxPat]

If it was my bike, I'd hang the frame on the wall and get another frame-if you looked hard enough, you might find another frame just like yours!

 

[manIK]

if you looked hard enough, you might find another frame just like yours!

That would certainly be an ideal situation. A nice wall decoration and a replacement frame.

They aren't easy to come across however and I need to make the call in the next few days... Scrap it and buy a new bike (which I need to get to and from work) or get it fixed in the next few days- for the same reason (and definitely the more difficult of the two)

Finding and being able to buy a replacement frame, tear-down, wait for the frame then rebuild in a few days might be a stretch.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Just buy a frame and forks on here (your forks are flat and need pumping up or fixing) on here they don't cost much and much of that should still fit, maybe a new seatpost and front mech.
Then ride that.

Then worry about the frame.

 

[captaincosmic]

Real sorry to hear your news
before you shoot the horse though ...
all alu welding weakens the metal in the area of the weld by 50% this is a difficult area as you have the junction of rear stays and top tube..
I recon a good welder could tack / stitch the crack then crazy idea time here cut a slot in the back of the seat tube :shock:
then weld some new cinch bolt guides lower down ? and use a longer seat tube.....well I know a crazy idea but just throwing it out there

 

[RockiMtn]

man, that sucks… i feel for you. that's a lot of flaring of the seat tube you got going there! you must of rode it hard even after the crack began! :shock:

that's gonna be one hard fix. if the frame was to fail, that would be the place. that's the third that i've seen/know about.

 

[Skeelsie]

Get it welded if you love it.

I reckon that's got a couple more years in it if you do.

 

[Andy R]

From the photographs it looks to me that the seat post is a really loose fit in the frame, which has resulted in enough flexing to flare the seat tube and also required the QR bosses to be pinched together too much to clamp the seat post.

I do think that it's worth getting it welded if you know a good TIG welder (any aerospace work done in your neck of the woods?). As it's 7005 alloy, strength shouldn't be compromised - it'll age harden. Then get a long seat post that fits properly, you might need to get the seat tube reamed after welding.