Frame broke...so sad...

My frame broke yesterday. I'm talking with a friend about what to do and where to get it repaired. I didn't really sleep last night at all. I'm depressed. 

Anyway, I'm posting in the hopes that someone can commiserate with me.

I hope this is okay, too. I want to let you know that I'm running a sale at my vintage clothing website to pay for the repair. Please use the coupon code BIKE in the checkout field and receive 25% off of your entire order. 

If you can say something to cheer me up that would be really nice. For now, I'm back to crying in my coffee. 

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Permalink Reply by Paul on July 3, 2012 at 2:26am
I was riding along one time and my frame broke at the headset. The next thing I know, I was sitting on the street on my butt still holding my bars. That sucked pretty bad. Good luck with your ride.
Permalink Reply by David P. on July 3, 2012 at 2:28am

Don't worry, it's fixable! It sucks, of course, but it's a not-uncommon failure as far as failures go, and it's pretty easy for a framebuilder to braze in a new dropout. I had a pair of rack/fender eyelets break off my beautiful go-fast frame the other week, so I commisserate with a little bit of familiarity.

David 

Permalink Reply by Duppie on July 3, 2012 at 2:36am

This is a great opportunity to turn your frame into a belt driven bike. You would be the cool kid on the block! ;)

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 3, 2012 at 2:56am

That'll polish right out...

I had a stamped dropout welded at a local welding shop on Armitage for $20.  It was in a better location though further back and it wasn't separated like that -just cracked.     At the very least this can be fixed with a new dropout brazed in.  It'll damage the paint of course, but it's not a major issue.  I'm sure there are many frame builders in town who can do this kind of work.  Ask at your LBS about who can recommend.

Or maybe this is an excuse to build up your existing components onto a new high-tech frame ;)   Frames are cheap if you want light alloy stuff.   Nashbar sells 'em for around $100.   It might be around the same price as fixing this dropout.  It just depends on how nice of a frame you have now and how special it is to you.

A good welder can weld anything but the crack of doom.  But on a cast dropout that close to the chainstay I think it'll require a new dropout brazed in.    Totally fixable though.

Good luck Holly!

Permalink Reply by Holly on July 3, 2012 at 3:17am

After a big boo hoo yesterday, I learned it was fixable. Which made me feel better. Sort of. I'm glad it wasn't a crack of doom! Falling after your bike breaks would suck. Yikes, Paul.

@James--thanks for the pics and suggestions. I'm not ruling out buying another bike (at some point) but I certainly cannot afford to do that now. Nonetheless, I cruised Craigslist at 5 am (for lack of sleep.) I'm kind of looking for the same bike, it seems! I didn't really see anything that was the right size. (er...for those who know me, you also know I chronically mention that this frame is sorta big for me. I don't care.) 

 

This bike is a Trek élance from 1986-7(ish). 

What's weird is that I was just saying that I wanted something different. I was feeling a little bored with this bike.  I want a good, fast commuter. I want something that's great to ride while wearing a dress, too, since my step-through bike is lame...blah blah blah...I know I could put a rack & fenders on her, but I think this bike is right the way that she is. Anyway, I will never disparage her again! 

BTW: am I the only person who feels a little pang of discomfort when spotting an old road bike turned into a fixie? I would feel the same way about a belt drive on this bike, I suppose. But I do know people who love the, Duppie. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 3, 2012 at 3:37am

Holly, if you decide not to fix the frame right away and want another higher-end vintage frame the best (cheapest) way to go about it hat is to buy a mostly-complete used bike.  Perhaps one with some issues that make it a non-runner at the moment and hurt resale.  Then just swap your good parts over, maybe upgrading to some of the "new" bike's parts if they are better.  Sell the rest of the parts on C-list to recoup.  

Often, it's possible to part out a C-list bike (especially if it was a good deal because it had some issues) and after selling all the components individually come out with the frame for free.  Sometimes get the frame for less than free and make money on the deal.

If you tell me what size of a frame you are looking for I can keep an eye out on CL as I'm a nutter for spending an hour a day on there scoping out the deals anyhow. 

Permalink Reply by Holly on July 3, 2012 at 3:45am

Thanks! I actually should have swooped in on something last week when I was kvetching as my friend in WI pointed out a great deal, but I'm broke at the moment. Recovery is in sight, just not right now. :(

I'll message you, though, James. Just in case a pile of money lands on my coffee table today. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 3, 2012 at 3:54am

Any friend of Ash's gets discount wrench support...

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on July 3, 2012 at 4:08am

Holly - Blue City Cycles and Comrade Cycles offer frame repair.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 3, 2012 at 4:23am

That can be easily repaired by brazing a new drop out into the stays.  As stated Owen at Blue City or Jesse at Comrade can fix you right up pretty cheap.

DO NOT attempt to have it fixed by having it welded; it is a brazed joint and trying to weld it will result in a very poor quality weld due to contamination and WILL break.  

Permalink Reply by Holly on July 3, 2012 at 5:00am

That's the plan, Doug. Everyone in real life already suggested Owen or Jesse. (Natch.)

Thanks ya'll. I'm not sure I feel better, but it's good to know that I'm not going to have to ride around on my winter bike for the rest of the summer. Too slow! 

Permalink Reply by Mark on July 3, 2012 at 6:57am

Jesse at Comrade Cycles fixed my vintage frame and it's good as new!

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