bent rear fork

A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was
significantly bent, which probably explains why the rear brake was
rubbing almost beyond adjustment, or why replacing the wheel and
tightening the quick-release was a bit tricky. It's not really that bad,
which is why I rode the bike for days before I realised, but certainly
noticeable if you observe.

My immediate thought was some ******* had kicked the bike but then I
realised it also looks like the tube was badly squeezed one of the very
few times I used the D-lock to secure rear triangle and wheel (rather
than front triangle & wheel). This can happen for example if the bike
drops while locked up against railings and the D-lock breaks its fall.
Then again, someone may have helped a bit.

Anyway, I am now wondering how bad this is. The frame is steel, so I
doubt it will snap without warning, and I've already done quite a bit of
riding before I realised. Would a bike shop normally be able to repair
this or is it a write-off? The problem is this particular bike is not
worth too great an investment really.

And while I'm still at it, have you seen this?
http://anglegrinderman.co.uk/

--
Michael Klontzas
'If everything seems to be coming your way,
you're probably in the wrong lane'
(Borstelmann's Rule)

Michael Klontzas wrote:
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was

Rear fork ?


(rather than front triangle & wheel).

Front triangle ?

Michael Klontzas wrote:
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was

Rear fork ?


(rather than front triangle & wheel).

Front triangle ?

In message , Michael
Klontzas writes
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was
significantly bent,

My immediate thought was some ******* had kicked the bike but then I
realised it also looks like the tube was badly squeezed one of the very
few times I used the D-lock to secure rear triangle and wheel (rather
than front triangle & wheel). This can happen for example if the bike
drops while locked up against railings and the D-lock breaks its fall.
Then again, someone may have helped a bit.

I doubt falling a bit would cause such a bend.

Anyway, I am now wondering how bad this is. The frame is steel, so I
doubt it will snap without warning, and I've already done quite a bit of
riding before I realised. Would a bike shop normally be able to repair
this or is it a write-off? The problem is this particular bike is not
worth too great an investment really.


This sort of bend in steel should be pretty easily fixable by any bike
shop that can do frame repairs. It's basically a case of bending the
frame back into place and checking the alignment. It probably wouldn't
cost that much.

Alternatively, you could try straightening it yourself. This page on DIY
rear end respacing might have some hints.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

--
Chris French, Leeds

In message , Michael
Klontzas writes
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was
significantly bent,

My immediate thought was some ******* had kicked the bike but then I
realised it also looks like the tube was badly squeezed one of the very
few times I used the D-lock to secure rear triangle and wheel (rather
than front triangle & wheel). This can happen for example if the bike
drops while locked up against railings and the D-lock breaks its fall.
Then again, someone may have helped a bit.

I doubt falling a bit would cause such a bend.

Anyway, I am now wondering how bad this is. The frame is steel, so I
doubt it will snap without warning, and I've already done quite a bit of
riding before I realised. Would a bike shop normally be able to repair
this or is it a write-off? The problem is this particular bike is not
worth too great an investment really.


This sort of bend in steel should be pretty easily fixable by any bike
shop that can do frame repairs. It's basically a case of bending the
frame back into place and checking the alignment. It probably wouldn't
cost that much.

Alternatively, you could try straightening it yourself. This page on DIY
rear end respacing might have some hints.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

--
Chris French, Leeds

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 13:14:18 +0100, "M Series" wrote:
Michael Klontzas wrote:
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was

Rear fork ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#fork

(rather than front triangle & wheel).

Front triangle ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#frame

--
Michael Klontzas
'If everything seems to be coming your way,
you're probably in the wrong lane'
(Borstelmann's Rule)

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 13:14:18 +0100, "M Series" wrote:
Michael Klontzas wrote:
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was

Rear fork ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#fork

(rather than front triangle & wheel).

Front triangle ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#frame

--
Michael Klontzas
'If everything seems to be coming your way,
you're probably in the wrong lane'
(Borstelmann's Rule)

Michael Klontzas wrote:
On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 13:14:18 +0100, "M Series"
wrote:
Michael Klontzas wrote:
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was

Rear fork ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#fork

(rather than front triangle & wheel).

Front triangle ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#frame

Well there you are I have never heard of them being called that before.

Michael Klontzas wrote:
On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 13:14:18 +0100, "M Series"
wrote:
Michael Klontzas wrote:
A few days ago I noticed the left-hand side of my rear fork was

Rear fork ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#fork

(rather than front triangle & wheel).

Front triangle ?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#frame

Well there you are I have never heard of them being called that before.

Michael Klontzas wrote:
On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 13:25:51 +0100, chris French
wrote:
This sort of bend in steel should be pretty easily fixable by any
bike shop that can do frame repairs. It's basically a case of
bending the frame back into place and checking the alignment. It
probably wouldn't cost that much.

I was hoping someone would say that!

Alternatively, you could try straightening it yourself. This page on
DIY rear end respacing might have some hints.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Thanks for that. I don't think I could do it myself though. It looks a
bit more difficult than just straightening a tube. The tube is not
bent totally smoothly -- on the inside of the newly produced curve
(i.e. the left-hand side of the tube) there is a spot-dent. I'll take
it to my bike-shop and see. Judging from previous experience, they'll
take it to a frame builder. Thanks.

Why not take it to a frame builder yourself. If the tube is 'kinked' I would
brace myself for bad news. A frame builder may be able to replace the
tube[1] but it will probably be cheaper to replace the frame.

[1]Bob Jackson in Leeds advertises this service for Reynolds 531 frames and
others made from well known steel tubes.