[EndUser]

Question about a dent on my ML, but first let me explain.

This past weekend I put a dent on my ML downtube. Here's how it happened:

1) Rear tire picks up large rock while halling arse down hill.
2) Rock on tire accelerates and is flung off tire at or near BB area.
3) Rock is so big it then gets lodged between downtube and small chainring.
4) Push on pedal and crank wouldn't move because rock is stuck inbetween downtube and small chainring.
5) Stop to assess and then realize the rock jam and subsequent dent on downtube just above the BB/downtube weld on the driveside.

Bad luck I guess.

The dent is small(ish) and it cracked the paint pretty good. Should I be worried about this? What should I look for to see if a stress riser is developing?

Thanks,

EndUser

 

[dulyebr]

picture?

 

[kovi]

Yeah, Picture?

 

[Warp]

rzozaya has an identical dent. Weird to happen on any bike... and now two ML's! Hyperweird.

I would say don't sweat it, but consult it with Titus. Maybe you two guys have a case going.

I think the dent is at a neutral stress area... but not 100% as for neutral to torque input from the pedals. But I think it's a neutral stress area.

 

[hamachi]

some pics would help

 

[demo_slug]

see how much a crash replacement in Ti costs....

this happens to MTBs.. the damage is done. just keep an eye on it.

probably the only issue will be a reduction in resale value.

I have a gouge out of my seat tube where the brake cable almost cut thru the seat tube. mud + bad cable routing. I sent chris a picture and he said it was good to go

 

[demo_slug]

anybody seen black agness?

 

[blackagness]

see how much a crash replacement in Ti costs....

this happens to MTBs.. the damage is done. just keep an eye on it.

probably the only issue will be a reduction in resale value.

I have a gouge out of my seat tube where the brake cable almost cut thru the seat tube. mud + bad cable routing. I sent chris a picture and he said it was good to go

I've got the same gouge. Just chalked t up to what Demo said. We haven't seen a pic yet, but I'd be willing to bet "err kinda" that if it were something bad you wouldnt have had to ask. I mean it was from a flying/stuck rock, it's not like you launched it riderless into a rock garden where it slammed down on the downtube... but anyway if ya can I'd feel more confident with a pic.

Unless your ML is white of course, then your in real trouble "he he"...

 

[EndUser]

Oh No

Unless your ML is white of course, then your in real trouble "he he"...

I'm totally focked then. :eekster:

I'll try to get a good picture of it so ya'll can see.

Regards,

EndUser

 

[demo_slug]

I'm totally focked then. :eekster:

I'll try to get a good picture of it so ya'll can see.

Regards,

EndUser

downtube injurys are nothing. the down tube is mostly in tension. have your ever seen the "sling shot" bikes? the down tube is replaced with a cable...

 

[TiEndo]

Stupid question, but is the downtube of the motolite the same as the one on the Racer-X?
(ie triple butted hydroformed downtube?)

 

[Warp]

Stupid question, but is the downtube of the motolite the same as the one on the Racer-X?
(ie triple butted hydroformed downtube?)

Yes, pretty similar.

 

[blackagness]

Here I Am!

anybody seen black agness?

I was away for the weekend at a wacky little place called Fripp Island SC. All flat, no riding that I'd be interested in.

Now back to the buisness at hand, "hopefully" putting Endusers minde at ease...

If I'm not mistaken the downtube on the ML is bigger than the one on the RX.

 

[demo_slug]

Yes, pretty similar.

I was cruzing along my favorite trail on sunday and a jellow jacket got sucked into my helmet. he was not happy. before he found the escape rout out of my full face helmet he stung me on the lower eyelid. :eekster: today Its all puffy, I look like I got a shiner.

 

[EndUser]

Picture(s)

By popular demand.....

What I suspect is the very wide bi-ovalized tube provides for a small clearance between the downtube and the smallest chainring. I have this same configuration on my Litespeed HT frame but the tubing is not oversized like the Titus. Also, I think the dent was cause by me while trying to pedal not the rock hitting the tube. The rock was jammed in there pretty good and required me to pry it out of there with a stick

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks all,

EndUser

 

[hamachi]

to be perfectly honest, it doesn't look good... it's right where cracks would normally appear at the down tube / bottom bracket -- above the weld

have you tried contacting Titus or your LBS?

 

[EndUser]

No I have not.

to be perfectly honest, it doesn't look good... it's right where cracks would normally appear at the down tube / bottom bracket -- above the weld

have you tried contacting Titus or your LBS?

I'm assuming the radial cracks are limited to the paint due the deflection of the tubing. I have to admit the dent concerns me also given this is the weak spot due to the welding process. I'm going to bring it in to my local dealer and get his opinion.

This sucks.

Thanks for the opinion.

EndUser

 

[blackagness]

I'm assuming the radial cracks are limited to the paint due the deflection of the tubing. I have to admit the dent concerns me also given this is the weak spot due to the welding process. I'm going to bring it in to my local dealer and get his opinion.

This sucks.

Thanks for the opinion.

EndUser

Yeah my small brain somehow managed to gather what you were talking about with the pedal force rock bla bla bla.

Never the less I don't realy like the look of the cracks in the paint climbing up along the weld. I know it scratched the paint with the rock... But aside from that.

Good call taking her by the LBS...

 

[EndUser]

Well I don't know what he'll say...

but the dent and cracks are very, very small. I've seen people riding with a lot worse but I just don't know if the cracks are indicative of a structural failure or just the paint cracking under flexs. The photos are sort of misleading since there is no scale. The affected area is about 8-10mm and the dent is very subtle.

I'm going to take it in tomorrow.

Thanks.

EndUser

 

[demo_slug]

By popular demand.....

What I suspect is the very wide bi-ovalized tube provides for a small clearance between the downtube and the smallest chainring. I have this same configuration on my Litespeed HT frame but the tubing is not oversized like the Titus. Also, I think the dent was cause by me while trying to pedal not the rock hitting the tube. The rock was jammed in there pretty good and required me to pry it out of there with a stick

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks all,

EndUser

wow....

yeah given 4 more years of riding it will break right there. seriously the cracked paint makes it look bad.

just a recommendation, sand the area and put some touch up paint over it. not as a cosmetic fix, but so you can inspect the area for cracks down the road.

send the photo to Chris. why ask the shop? if they say its done are you going to trust them? if they say its fine will you feel better?