Head tube wear caused by basket mount

[will965]

A previous basket (a cheap one like this) has gouged out a very noticeable indentation where it moved around the head tube.

Obviously it's not ideal but what are the chances of the head tube buckling in on itself? The bike is only used for short rides around town town, no extreme downhill mountain biking!

Probably a good reason not to buy that type of basket as well.

 

[accountantpete]

I would take the headset off and have a peek at the thickness of the headtube and judge for yourself.

Half-way through and I'd risk it - beyond that would need a repair job.

 

[Sleeping Menace]

yeah, pull it apart, and see what the thickness of the head tube is . It does appear as if it's really worn its' way in a bit. I'd certainly keep an eye on it.. and put something over that bare aluminum, with it already being worn, last thing you need is corrosion setting in there too.

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[Zoiders]

I very very much doubt you will snap or even buckle that, ally has a lot of wall thickness.

Even if it did snap it would stay together as the head set and steerer tube binds it all together, there would be casue for worry if you had gouged away at the welds but you haven't.

Paint over with some hammerite and carry on as usual, replace when it fails.

 

[Foghorn_leghorn]

Wow, what a poorly designed basket.
If it was me I'd probably paint it over and use the bike but keep checking carefully that no cracks appear around the damage.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

sorry fella, but the frame is toast, from the picture, it looks as tho it's already buckling at the left hand side (in the picture) if the head tube. alloy is thick for a reason, strength or they would have made the tubes thinner for cost saving.

personally, i wouldn't ride it to the end of the street, but i have had a frame snap on me, it hurt and i could of died (no exaggeration).

if that collapsed, the steering could seize and throw you off balance into the path of a car or worse an artic lorry.

 

[I like Skol]

Even if it did snap it would stay together as the head set and steerer tube binds it all together, there would be casue for worry if you had gouged away at the welds but you haven't.

I go with this^^^^^. If it does crack then there will be a lot of creaking and groaning from that area during and after the failure but as said, the fork steerer tube and headset will hold it all together and you would most likely be able ride on to your destination (albeit gingerly).

Carry on and glance at the area occasionally to monitor the situation.

 

[fossyant]

With those sort of baskets you have to 'adjust' the bit that rests on the frame by bending it down so it rests on the fork crown BELOW the lower headset race.

 

[will965]

Thanks everyone, I'll take the headset off and see how much head tube is left. A coat of hammerite is a good idea and I'll try and keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't worsen over time.