Unridden bike with dent in top tube - bargain or avoid?

[ianhaigh]

Hi,



I'm after my first cyclocross bike, but can't afford to pay RRP so have been looking on eBay for a second hand bargain. Then I came across a Kona Jake, brand new, never ridden and in my size. It's effectively going for half price because it has a dent in the top tube (pics below).

I'm not in the slightest bit bothered about the aesthetics, but do have my concerns that it has been compromised structurally.

Anyone have any experience/advice in this area?



Many thanks,



Ian

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would love to say "I'm sure it will be fine" but all of the courses I have been on have drummed into me that cracks and dents in forks and frame are dangerous. I'm going to say "Avoid it". Gods now I know I'm getting old.

 

[tyred]

I've rode an old Carlton with a similar dent in a similar place for a few years and several thousand miles without trouble (although it was never subjected to cyclo cross, just normal road riding).

Personally, I would happily risk it but I leave the final decision to the Ian. If Ian feels uncomfortable with it, then it is his decision. I'm assuming it si just a dent and that the top tube itself isn't bent out of line?

 

[Alembicbassman]

Frames are quite cheap £150-200 should get a good alu frame.

If the groupset, forks, finishing kit and wheels are good quality, buy it for these and source another frame.

 

[Zoiders]

Don't touch it.

The dent is either from a front ender which span the handle bars hard enough to do that damage, which with a coke can thin frame is a D.N.R or...it's a dent from where a D-lock was smashed off.

Neither is good.

 

[Piemaster]

I've got a similar dent on my Giant Escape. Its not shown any signs of being a problem, even with my 90+kgs on it.

 

[Echolalia]

I have a similar dent in a Specialized Globe nexus bike, it has been fine for the past year and a half. Though just use it for the commute to and from university. The original owner said it was somebody overtightening the bolt of a bike-z-frame on a car. It has been fine for me but I wouldn't trust the words of anyone trying to sell me a frame with a dent in it, who didn't know where it had come from or had not had it checked by a good bicycle mechanic. But then you can only rely on someone's word, which in the art of selling is like asking for the truth from a manipulative drug addict.