What do I do with my bent 4300 frame ?

[deep]

Hi everyone,

Recently some bloke rammed into my 4300 frame and now the rear left frame is bent inwards by around 20 deg. Also, the gear shifting mechanism has sheared off at its mounting point on the frame. What can I do about the frame and the gear mech ? Please pardon my ignorance about the correct names of these assemblies. I am new to this world and still learning. Thanks in advance.

[nfmisso]

4300 what?

Brand? Frame material? Pictures!!! And where are you located.

If your frame is aluminum - scrap it. If it is Cr-Mo steel or titanium; it is repairable.

Carbon fiber is repairable IF you can find someone with the correct skills, but the repair would likely be more money than a new bike.

[xerxes]

4300 is a Trek, aluminium frame - I think. :S

Do you mean the dropout is bent?

This is a dropout:



The part where the wheels fit in the frame. Most modern aluminium and carbon frames have a replaceable mech hanger, like the one shown in the picture above. It's designed to be "sacrificial", so that it bends or breaks before your mech or frame is badly damaged.

Have a good look at your frame/dropout/mech hanger. If it's just the mech hanger that's bent or broken, you should be able to replace it. If you're not sure, it might be worth taking it to a bike shop for them to check it out. You can't straighten aluminum frames and once they're bent they are weakened and may be dangerous to ride.

[deep]

(08-17-2012, 12:04 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  4300 what?

Brand? Frame material? Pictures!!! And where are you located.

If your frame is aluminum - scrap it. If it is Cr-Mo steel or titanium; it is repairable.

Carbon fiber is repairable IF you can find someone with the correct skills, but the repair would likely be more money than a new bike.

Right, my fault. Forgot to mention that its a Trek bike with Aluminum frame. I am in India and these bikes are imported. Am not sure that any repairs are even possible here. Guess will just have to scrap it. Would I be able to use all the other items onto a new frame ? Will try to post pics too.

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(08-17-2012, 12:49 PM)xerxes Wrote:  4300 is a Trek, aluminium frame - I think. :S

Do you mean the dropout is bent?

This is a dropout:



The part where the wheels fit in the frame. Most modern aluminium and carbon frames have a replaceable mech hanger, like the one shown in the picture above. It's designed to be "sacrificial", so that it bends or breaks before your mech or frame is badly damaged.

Have a good look at your frame/dropout/mech hanger. If it's just the mech hanger that's bent or broken, you should be able to replace it. If you're not sure, it might be worth taking it to a bike shop for them to check it out. You can't straighten aluminum frames and once they're bent they are weakened and may be dangerous to ride.

You got it. Thats the one, the 'DROPOUT'. Its snapped clean. Glad that it can be replaced. Thanks.

[nfmisso]

Hi deep;

Yes, you can salvage all the components from the bike and use them on another frame.

In the USA, people often purchase a frame from Nashbar. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCategory_10053_10052_202337_-1_202326_202326

[deep]

Thanks Nigel,

Your advice is very useful.