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can an aluminum frame be repaired?

2779 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by MrCookie, Feb 24, 2011

shanem

Discussion Starter · Feb 21, 2011

Can aluminum be repaired like steel? I have an aluminum frame that seemingly was built with 130mm dropouts instead of 135. This was a special order frame that was not the best experience so I'd rather not deal with the original builder. So please don't tell what I should be doing i.e. - hold the builder responsible. I'd rather just pay to have it done right. I can get a 135mm hub in the dropouts but its a real pain to get in and out especially with trying to align the rotor.

If work like this can be done any recommendations on who to go with to get the work done?

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mtec

· #2 · Feb 21, 2011

Simple answer: Yes it can.

Realistic answer: Finding someone truly good could be tricky and costly.

Ask your local "small guy" bike shops for someone in your area, dealing with someone in person is the way to go on this.

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febikes

· #3 · Feb 21, 2011

Also flexing the frame like you describe to spread it from 130mm to 135mm may put you at risk of a crack in the near future.

Depending on the alloy it can be tricky to repair because some 6000 series requires heat treatment after welding.

A better route may be to find a builder who is willing to repair it by replacing each of the tubes and the dropouts with steel. Aluminum can't be directly welded to steel but if the repair includes replacement of all the tubes this will not be a problem.

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shanem

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 22, 2011

Hmmmm...... Maybe I'll just seek out a 130mm disc hub

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graviT

· #5 · Feb 23, 2011

febikes said:
A better route may be to find a builder who is willing to repair it by replacing each of the tubes and the dropouts with steel. Aluminum can't be directly welded to steel but if the repair includes replacement of all the tubes this will not be a problem.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

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Berkley

· #6 · Feb 23, 2011

graviT said:
You have no idea what you are talking about.

I was thinkin' the same thing, glad someone else had the stones to say it!

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graviT

· #7 · Feb 23, 2011

shanem said:
Hmmmm...... Maybe I'll just seek out a 130mm disc hub

That is the best and really the only reasonable option.

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febikes

· #8 · Feb 23, 2011

graviT said:
You have no idea what you are talking about.

It was an attempt at a joke to explain that an easier way to safely repair an aluminum frame would be to "fix" it by replacing ALL the tubes and with steel ( in effect building a new bike ). Spreading the rear triangle puts stress the material quite a bit. That said the joke attempt clearly fell flat.

Replacement of the rear wheel is likely the way to go as other have pointed out.

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MrCookie

· #9 · Feb 24, 2011

What is the builder's warranty? Start shoving a 145 hub in there until it fails... not really

Or grind the insides of the DO's until it fits... not a good idea either

My understanding is that alu frames can be cold set for a short period of time after the welding has been done (one or two days). Once the material ages, it gets a bittle brittle.

Is the wheel aligned? Does it appear one side is off? Was it caused by shipping?

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