small crack to head tube lug

[ianfoot]

oh no.......had the frame powder coated, and the LBS fitting a new headset called to say they've 'found' a crack in the top lug on the head tube.

It's tiny, but can I get away with it?

The bike will probably be used about 4 times a year for riding along a cyclepath or around center parcs.

Any ideas what to do?

 

[monty dog]

I had a Dolan alloy frame with a similar crack that I rode for a few years - it didn't get any worse. I'd be a lot more concerned if it was the bottom lug because it's more stressed. Obviously, pressing-in the headset cup will put some additional stress on there.
First option is to do nothing - press-in the cup and keep an eye on it.
Second option is to 'size' the top cup such that it creates minimum radial stress on the cup - hold it in with Loctite bearing fit.
Final option is to get a new headlug or band fitted by a framebuilder - obviously means at least a partial respray.
If it was me, I'd opt for the second one.

 

[fiks]

Maybe drill a small hole at the bottom of the crack. That should reduce the chance the the crack will get bigger.