Aluminum Frame Repair

[mofiki]

I got a Opera road frame that started to crack from the weld at the bottom of the seat tube where it's joined to the BB housing and spirals around the back upwards up the tube about 1.5" long. The tube hasn't completely broke in two but with my power it's only a matter of time. Does anyone know anywhere in the country to get frame repairs done. The internet hasn't been helpful.

[Diamond Jim]

Sorry, but you can't weld an aluminum frame. Well, you can, it's not recommended as any welding heat will kill the hardening without another heat treatment to restore it. If you can't get any warranty on it you might as well give it a try. Did you check out the welding place in the Strip? I think it's called Allegheny Welding. I'm sure they could glob some welding rod on for you.

[Jason]

Yea, welding AL is not recommended. You will need to heat treat the frame again after welding on it. A lot of welders will not know what to do with a nice aluminum frame also as most of them have never worked with the alloys that bike frames are made of. Most welders are also used to working on much thicker materials than what a bike frame is. If the crack gets away from the end of the tube much you are screwed. Most frames are butted at the end of the tube for strength and so that the welder has enough material to weld to. I am a certified welder and I would never trust a aluminum frame that was welded back together. Steel though is no problem. Most companies off a crash replacement program. Cannondale for instance offers a significant discount on a traded in frame no matter what brand it is.

[brungeman]

Thick bikes! I think Chris has the know how to do just bout anything! If he can't help... he will steer you in the right direction!

[Diamond Jim]

I thought he only worked in steel. My advice is JB Weld. If JB Weld won't fix it, it ain't worth fixin'.

[mofiki]

I'll bet I can get something for it on Ebay. I'd be honest about. Really.

[Jason]

I thought he only worked in steel. My advice is JB Weld. If JB Weld won't fix it, it ain't worth fixin'.

Hell yea, but honestly, has anyone ever had any good experiences with JB weld? I have never been able to make that stuff work for me.

[Diamond Jim]

Over the years I've fixed a cracked radiator, a broken rocking chair and an XTR driveside crank. Of course, none of the repairs were what you'd call "permanent"