Broken frame

wrangler_rover · Post by **wrangler_rover** » 3 Nov 2007, 9:53am

I need some advice please.
I went out on my 20 year old raleigh pioneer this morning, it started creaking from the back end then suddenly it didn't feel right.
I stopped & examined the frame and discovered that below the seatpost, both of the welds / brazes that join the angled sections from the rear wheel bracket to the seatpost tube had broken at the seatpost tube. Is it worth trying to get the frame weld repaired (I fear that welding may cause distortion to the frame) or it is better just to get another frame & transfer all the bits from the old bike to a new frame?
The bike is my commuter hack and as a dedicated cycle commuter, I of course have a spare bike.

julk · Post by **julk** » 3 Nov 2007, 10:28am

A 20 year old frame 'just breaking' is probably the first sign of internal rusting.
I would expect trouble from the area around the bottom bracket next, and if the frame breaks again it may not fail so gracefully.

Getting it welded back together will also destroy some of the paint work.

Sounds to me like a good time to consider another frame.

Post by **Mick F** » 3 Nov 2007, 10:31am

Yes, I agree.

You could get it welded ok, it'll upset the paintwork, but it won't distort the frame as the heat will be quick and localised.

But, a breakage could signify the end of the road for your old friend. It's time to say goodbye.

peanut · Post by **peanut** » 3 Nov 2007, 12:18pm

do we mean brazed not welded ? or is it a lugless frame? :roll:

It does sound like the break is an indication of the condition of the frame as a whole . It would need pulling apart tube and lugs cleaned and re-brazed on a jig to keep it straight and true. You can buy a good 531C frameset for less than £30.00 it really isn't worth it. The preparation and respray would cost more than than alone!. Its a real shame to lose an old favourite frame but I think you are going to have to retire that baby

PW · Post by PW » 4 Nov 2007, 8:19pm

As above. It's repairable but not economic. The cause may well be metal fatigue in which case something else could be getting ready, so I'd bin it.

wrangler_rover · Post by **wrangler_rover** » 1 Dec 2007, 2:43pm

Problem solved re the Raleigh Pioneer with a broken frame.
I saw a bundle of 3 bikes locally on ebay, one was a raleigh pioneer, I won the auction for all 3 bikes for £19.
I've spent 2 hours stripping & cleaning the pioneer & it's like new. I've just got to put the mudguards & rack on it that I salvaged from my old bike & I will have a better bike than the one that broke.