Dented down tube

[Andy_R]

As I posted elsewhere on CC, some one tried to have my Subway2 away. Unfortunately, when they tried to take it, the bike ended up with a dent in the down tube. The dent is on the drive side, about 4 inches up from the BB and is about 1inch square and about 1/2 deep with no sharp edges. There is no sign of cracking and I believe the down tube is under tension when the bike is being ridden, so should it still be ok to ride.

 

[fossyant]

It will be fine. Just leave it be !

 

[Andy_R]

It will be fine. Just leave it be !

Can you supply an indemity with that. Seriously though, thanks. Am I correct in thinking that the down tube is under tension when riding, and not compression?

 

[fossyant]

Don't worry about tension/compression - just ride.

 

[PatrickPending]

All I can say is I rode round for years with a dent in the top tube of my Allez - after using it for my commute for a year or so I noticed an unrelated crack in the headtube - specialized replaced it under their lifetime guarantee - so no problems with the dent just leave it alone as fossyans said (well id check it occasionally for cracks just to be on the safe side).

 

[andrew_s]

Yes, the downtube is in tension.
I've ridden with someone who had a broken downtube on his Dawes Galaxy. The break opened up, and the bike was OK to ride 20 miles home (slowly & carefully) after we'd splinted the break with a U-lock and a load of cable ties and toe straps.
The Carrera is aluminium, so I'd expect that it will crack through in due course, and I'd recommend phoning for help rather than trying to ride it too far.