Broken frame

Kevin and Jane Laval said:

Just looking for any thoughts; noticed an odd noise out cycling today.
Having established that it wasn't bottom bracket related, decided to pull
over to inspect frame & found substantial crack around diagonal tube where
lug for bottle cage is inserted. The frame is an aluminium Massi (with front
carbon forks & rear carbon stays) and if I recall correctly is triple
butted. I have had the bike 3 or possibly 4 years, to my shame have not done
huge mileages on it (between 60 and 120 miles a week during the summer
months when the weather is fair). Am I right to be disappointed or is this
just "one of those things"? I have previously had good old 531 without
incident for 15 -20 years.

Lots of questions come to mind, was the frame new when you started?
What do you weigh in kit? Hit anything lately?

If it is alum it can be welded and repaired. I had a Ti frame that
failed, welded and repaired so it does happen.

On 29 Ago, 22:23, "Kevin and Jane Laval"

Am I right to be disappointed or is this

Quoted message said:

just "one of those things"? I have previously had good old 531 without
incident for 15 -20 years.

Yes, you are right to be disappointed.
More often than not such failures occur to aluminum framesets (though
nobody would blame it to the bare metal element!).

A suggestion, if I may.
Get yourself a nice, sturdy and well taken care of, used framset; have
the mechanics transferred over and ride it for the rest of your life.
I am still using my first bike built back in 1972, since then ridden
much more than you can imagine.

Sergio
Pisa
Sergio
Pisa

sergio said:

On 29 Ago, 22:23, "Kevin and Jane Laval"

Am I right to be disappointed or is this

Quoted message said:

just "one of those things"? I have previously had good old 531 without
incident for 15 -20 years.

Yes, you are right to be disappointed.
More often than not such failures occur to aluminum framesets (though
nobody would blame it to the bare metal element!).

A suggestion, if I may.
Get yourself a nice, sturdy and well taken care of, used framset; have
the mechanics transferred over and ride it for the rest of your life.
I am still using my first bike built back in 1972, since then ridden
much more than you can imagine.

Sergio
Pisa
Sergio
Pisa

I agree with Sergio. You can get a steel frame for about 100 bucks on
ebay. Look a the centurions with tange 1 tubing. The Ironman Dave
scott model. They are often sold on ebay and that is a sturdy long
lasting frame. Just like your 531.

Andres

Quoted message said:

Just looking for any thoughts; noticed an odd noise out cycling today.
Having established that it wasn't bottom bracket related, decided to pull
over to inspect frame & found substantial crack around diagonal tube where
lug for bottle cage is inserted. The frame is an aluminium Massi (with
front
carbon forks & rear carbon stays) and if I recall correctly is triple
butted. I have had the bike 3 or possibly 4 years, to my shame have not
done
huge mileages on it (between 60 and 120 miles a week during the summer
months when the weather is fair). Am I right to be disappointed or is this
just "one of those things"? I have previously had good old 531 without
incident for 15 -20 years.

If you're the original owner, and the bike hasn't been involved in a crash,
it should be covered under warranty. Such failures (starting at a bottle
fitting) are not unknown, regardless of frame material.

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

Kevin and Jane Laval said:

Just looking for any thoughts; noticed an odd noise out cycling today.
Having established that it wasn't bottom bracket related, decided to pull
over to inspect frame & found substantial crack around diagonal tube where
lug for bottle cage is inserted. The frame is an aluminium Massi (with front
carbon forks & rear carbon stays) and if I recall correctly is triple
butted. I have had the bike 3 or possibly 4 years, to my shame have not done
huge mileages on it (between 60 and 120 miles a week during the summer
months when the weather is fair). Am I right to be disappointed or is this
just "one of those things"? I have previously had good old 531 without
incident for 15 -20 years.

If you bought this bike new, consult your dealer first.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971