Damaged dropout

[bobinski]

Hi,
As you can see I have damaged the dropout in my Giant defy. I was knocked off bike and either then or when bike checked over in LBS it seems axle not sitting properly in dropout and qr nut gouged away meaning axle will no longer sit straight. Giant will have a look at it BUT assuming they say it's user error, whatever the circumstances, I would like to find a way to continue using frame, even if only on NEO turbo. Local frame builders say cannot touch it because its aluminium not steel. I was wondering about using spacers or something to hold axle straight? Any advice gratefully received!

 

[Tangoup51]

I am not sure how your manufacture will react, but in any case the damage i'm sure is repairable with a number of safe and practical ways.

But, depending on how Giant will deal with your claim you may never have to find out how to do this anyway.

 

[Ajax Bay]

the damage i'm sure is repairable with a number of safe and practical ways

Whatever Giant say (and (like the OP) I rather doubt they'd think it was a manufacturing issue for them to remediate), I'd be interested in your ideas for the various ways of repairing this, Perhaps you could share them Tango?

 

[TheDoctor]

Likewise. I can't see a way of repairing that, or at least not one I'd trust.
New frame time IMHO.

 

[bobinski]

All my research suggests new frame time and I am hopeful my Giant dealer will either offer a discount on a frame or even a new bike. I have a good relationship with Cadence where the bike was bought having introduced at least 4 sales to them and fittings etc. But it would be a goodwill gesture not a warranty issue.
Query a repair that allows use on the NEO.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

That's pretty easy to repair. I'd get someone who can weld aluminium to lay a bead around the perimeter and then I will carefully file a new niche. You won't lose much paint but the area is black - easy to match and in a place where it will be unnoticeable.
Although alumium is difficult to weld that particular piece is easy and wont affect the heat treatment where it matters - higher up where the thin tubes are welded onto billets.

Carbon frames often suffer from that problem if the hub bearings seize up and the axle starts to turn with wheel rotation. But that's really easy to fix.

 

[bobinski]

That's pretty easy to repair. I'd get someone who can weld aluminium to lay a bead around the perimeter and then I will carefully file a new niche. You won't lose much paint but the area is black - easy to match and in a place where it will be unnoticeable.
Although alumium is difficult to weld that particular piece is easy and wont affect the heat treatment where it matters - higher up where the thin tubes are welded onto billets.

Carbon frames often suffer from that problem if the hub bearings seize up and the axle starts to turn with wheel rotation. But that's really easy to fix.

I don't suppose you know anyone in London who can do that ?

 

[Tangoup51]

I don't suppose you know anyone in London who can do that ?

You could try doing that same thing as Yellow saddle suggested but with epoxies. - Various epoxies can offer the same strength characteristics required in that area.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

You could try doing that same thing as Yellow saddle suggested but with epoxies. - Various epoxies can offer the same strength characteristics required in that area.

No you can't.

 

[screenman]

You could try doing that same thing as Yellow saddle suggested but with epoxies. - Various epoxies can offer the same strength characteristics required in that area.

I would like to know of a resin that hard, as I have not come across one. Could you give me some leads.

 

[keithmac]

Might be worth asking your bike shop as I'd be surprised if they don't have a contact they use for aluminium repairs?.

If you get stuck with engineering shops then alloy wheel repair shops will have aluminium welding (TIG) capabilities.

 

[TheDoctor]

While @Yellow Saddle is doubtless more up on such matters, I personally would be concerned about a repair on a dropout.
I'd be looking for a replacement frame myself.

 

[Tangoup51]

View attachment 363113

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

I would have thought a decent machine/metalwork shop would be able to weld something into that and file it out no problem.
How long it would last under stress is debatable

 

[Gravity Aided]

Depends on the quality and method of the weld.