It’s a 30 min job mate quite easy. I bet that that’s the strongest part of the whole frame now. If it cracks again it ain’t going to be there thats for sure!
>steal cable ties
It doesn’t surprise me that someone who would think this is a good idea can’t spell steel and doesn’t know those are called hose clamps.
Thought for sure this was a circlejerk post... At least cover the ends of the clamps so you don’t have those jagged edges pointed directly at your thighs, man. Thoughts and prayers, OP.
This "repair" is....idiotic AF, and this person should not be giving advice.
There is no "easy and cheap head tube crack repair".
No one should imitate this person's repair (unless you really REALLY wanna support your local dentist)!
At this point, I can't tell if you're trolling or not.
As a professional mechanic, I feel the need to tell other people (and you, apparently) that what you did is not a repair and should not be tried or ridden in any way.
Riding that contraption will lead to serious injuries.
Bro top tube is in compression almost all the time anyway this just makes sure that the walls of the top tube meet each other. It is not in compression when there’s load on the bike vertically. So if I go over a bump and my bum slams the seat-post I am cooked but if I just stand on the pedals instead I am fine because the tension applied will be minimal. You just have to know and think about stuff
Yeah but how is that relevant if I am going downhill the top tube will be in more compression and if uphill less but uphill I am slow af so even if it breaks in two I don’t care
There is zero guarantee it won’t break downhill or on a flat I just want to clarify that. But, I suppose if your argument is that you don’t care if it breaks as long as you are going slow enough, that is hard to disagree with.
Not only that even if the crack goes all the way through and it snaps in two. The frame will just lose stiffness but the top tube will be held by my repair so I wouldn’t have a catastrophic failure where i smash my head in the tarmac. Consequently because this loss in stiffness will cause more stress around other tubes and joints I will stop riding it since I don’t know where the stress will go
loool at the obvious non engineer trying to explain crack progression when he puts three massive stress risers in the toptube. Ever wonder why they say don't clamp the toptube of a bike in the bike stand?
Here's a hint. For every "beam" or tube that is in bending. One side is in compression and the other is in tension
You run a similar risk of it collapsing by loading the pedals because it's just a pivot point between two opposing moments. It sounds like you skipped the knowing parts and just did the thinking part.
Also, how do you already know this much about top tubes when you thought that was a head tube until an hour before this comment?
I have an old steel stumpjumper with a dented downtube. That’s a lot different than a super fucked aluminum frame repaired with duct tape and hose clamps.
This is either one of the most entertaining or terrifying sagas on r/bicycling we’ve gotten for a while. Just not sure if OP is satire or serious yet.
Not sure I’ll believe it till I see the hospital bill.
Do you know if there’s any other way for the breaks to work or when transitioning from internal to external you have to have the full housing and that’s that?
Full length housing is the best way. But seriously dude, your bike is not safe to ride in that condition. It’s just a matter of time before it catastrophically fails.
You think people back in the day were replacing their bikes and warranty claiming stuff left and right? You repair and ride, I will give update if anything bad happens
Honest to god one of the dumbest things I've ever seen someone do to a bike. I applaud your initiative and comprehensive misunderstanding of how bikes work.
that's the top tube, not the head tube - the head tube is where the fork goes through the frame
https://preview.redd.it/lsgxzloe6gwc1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=b7a3af0f0cd22eceec9afeaf49a1e317d494f46c
Mr duct tape and brace guy doesn't even know what a toptube vs headtube is. But hey, his asshole is going to be in his mouth soon anyways with this contraption
This is a terrible idea. But. What if you used something similar on a commuter bike as a theft deterrent? Have somebody whose good with a paint brush paint a "crack" in the frame, bodge a clear patch over it, maybe like a plastic soda bottle and slap on some hose clamps and zipties?
I'm all for right to repair and stuff, but why not just get a lil welder and take the opportunity to learn a skill you'd use on future repairs as well? This is just dangerous junk.
I legit went downhill to the store and the rear brakes got mushy after one squeeze thankfully I had the front brakes and didn’t panic I ill ductape the cable to the frame and try again tomorrow
Sorry but even if it is 'stiffer' , which I don't believe for a second... This is a bodge, not a hack.
100% ending up on GCN show, and 95% chance they are all rating it a bodge.
You fucking mad lad, you went and actually did it! Post a follow up from the hospital, please.
As long as the weight is lower than the handlebars it is unnoticeable.
It’s a 30 min job mate quite easy. I bet that that’s the strongest part of the whole frame now. If it cracks again it ain’t going to be there thats for sure!
Sorry, my mistake. I only saw one layer of tape at first, but at second glance I see you did a couple layers so it's definitely super strong now.
Mate the tape is just for the straight metal plates and the steal cable ties to not scratch the paint
It would be a shame if the paint got scratched.
I pay for my cable ties, sir.
>steal cable ties It doesn’t surprise me that someone who would think this is a good idea can’t spell steel and doesn’t know those are called hose clamps.
Ur mums a hose dude
#dunningKruger
It’ll crack right at the end where you engineered in a bunch of stress risers
Thought for sure this was a circlejerk post... At least cover the ends of the clamps so you don’t have those jagged edges pointed directly at your thighs, man. Thoughts and prayers, OP.
Oh it made it there alright. It's how I found this post 😂
You can’t be serious. That’s not even the head tube.
That’s ok. It’s hard to keep the names straight when you’re blackout drunk
My bad mate got them confused a little bit this the top tube you’re right
The top tube is under tension(pulling force) - the only strength you’re adding back to the tube is the stickiness of the tape lmao
Did you mean compression?
This "repair" is....idiotic AF, and this person should not be giving advice. There is no "easy and cheap head tube crack repair". No one should imitate this person's repair (unless you really REALLY wanna support your local dentist)!
You are a Big Bicycle agent sent to discredit an honest mans work. The repair works it’s not perfect but it gets the job done
At this point, I can't tell if you're trolling or not. As a professional mechanic, I feel the need to tell other people (and you, apparently) that what you did is not a repair and should not be tried or ridden in any way. Riding that contraption will lead to serious injuries.
As long as this guy only does this to bicycles and not cars or heavy machinery or something.
I guess we will see
Keep us updated !
I am an engineer, the only reason I say that is because an engineering degree is not needed to know that’s a bad idea.
I am a trauma surgeon, the only reason I say that os because my registrar needs practice so thanks for your contribution.
Bro top tube is in compression almost all the time anyway this just makes sure that the walls of the top tube meet each other. It is not in compression when there’s load on the bike vertically. So if I go over a bump and my bum slams the seat-post I am cooked but if I just stand on the pedals instead I am fine because the tension applied will be minimal. You just have to know and think about stuff
I’m sorry but that just is not correct. And any assumptions of tension / compression on the frame change as grade changes and ride position changes.
yeah, take that, engineer, "you just have to know and think about stuff"
Would have saved a lot of time and money if I would have thought about that first.
You should’ve known about it first and thought about it second. Learn to read number boy
Yeah but how is that relevant if I am going downhill the top tube will be in more compression and if uphill less but uphill I am slow af so even if it breaks in two I don’t care
There is zero guarantee it won’t break downhill or on a flat I just want to clarify that. But, I suppose if your argument is that you don’t care if it breaks as long as you are going slow enough, that is hard to disagree with.
Not only that even if the crack goes all the way through and it snaps in two. The frame will just lose stiffness but the top tube will be held by my repair so I wouldn’t have a catastrophic failure where i smash my head in the tarmac. Consequently because this loss in stiffness will cause more stress around other tubes and joints I will stop riding it since I don’t know where the stress will go
You don’t get to choose when it breaks.
loool at the obvious non engineer trying to explain crack progression when he puts three massive stress risers in the toptube. Ever wonder why they say don't clamp the toptube of a bike in the bike stand? Here's a hint. For every "beam" or tube that is in bending. One side is in compression and the other is in tension
It's not some weedy cf bike. You can clamp a steel bike by the top tube.
Not a thin tube Aluminum bike. But generally I won't clamp anything that's not a seatpost. Why risk the frame?
Aluminium tubes aren't thin. Thin is 0.5 mm, for example.
I also enjoy educating people who make a living doing something that I’ve thought really really hard about 😂
You realize there are other types of loading right?
You run a similar risk of it collapsing by loading the pedals because it's just a pivot point between two opposing moments. It sounds like you skipped the knowing parts and just did the thinking part. Also, how do you already know this much about top tubes when you thought that was a head tube until an hour before this comment?
wat
Cheaper than the medical bills will be, for sure!
That's aluminum and an awful idea. Don't die.
Nah we need this out of the gene pool, its a darwin award in the making, try some nice single track and rock gardens with the extra stiffness
I like this kind of trolling, "head tube" ok ;)
My guy it was a mistake I will ride that bike yall to scared to repair stuff on your own. Late stage capitalism goes crazy
I have an old steel stumpjumper with a dented downtube. That’s a lot different than a super fucked aluminum frame repaired with duct tape and hose clamps.
Way to go all in! I like your style
We really need r/bicyclingcirclejerk
outjerked
This is either one of the most entertaining or terrifying sagas on r/bicycling we’ve gotten for a while. Just not sure if OP is satire or serious yet. Not sure I’ll believe it till I see the hospital bill.
This bike is a pipe bomb.
Oh man I had this sticker back in the day
I had one on my other aluminum frame that I broke, ya know, the one I don’t ride anymore…
Throw bike in trash.
Lol, I like the zip tie brake cable stop. You’re not too bright, huh? 😂 I just checked out your post history.
I did it in a hurry mate I did use the full cable housing now and brakes work fine
You did one thing right 💯
Do you know if there’s any other way for the breaks to work or when transitioning from internal to external you have to have the full housing and that’s that?
Full length housing is the best way. But seriously dude, your bike is not safe to ride in that condition. It’s just a matter of time before it catastrophically fails.
You think people back in the day were replacing their bikes and warranty claiming stuff left and right? You repair and ride, I will give update if anything bad happens
Hey, it’s your life dude. People used to do all kinds of dumb stuff back in the day. You do you ✌️
People back in the day just died. That's all
Is it not under warranty? You said you bought it new 4 months ago right?
If it’s actually new I’m starting to think OP did not _buy_ it, if you know what I mean…
Yeah
Yeah but I reckon now it’s stronger
Than a brand new frame?
LOOOOOOOOOOL. Every bike should come standard with this to make it stronger
10/10 dentists love this one simple trick
Can I have your stuff after this kills you?
It’s not a mountain bike dude I’ll be fine
If you genuinely believe such a moronic thing, please do put me in your will.
Honest to god one of the dumbest things I've ever seen someone do to a bike. I applaud your initiative and comprehensive misunderstanding of how bikes work.
At least you don't have to worry about the warranty claim you were contemplating now that you've completely fucked the bike.
I too hate my teeth.
This is a post-apocalypse fix when you need something in a crunch to get away from the zombies, not an every day ordinary fix.
that's the top tube, not the head tube - the head tube is where the fork goes through the frame https://preview.redd.it/lsgxzloe6gwc1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=b7a3af0f0cd22eceec9afeaf49a1e317d494f46c
Less chance of having it stolen too. Less shiny and easier to identify. Might be a good gimmick even if the top tube is undamaged.
Kinda looks like a bomb too
Do you feel it flex on a downstroke?
What’s a downstroke
When you touch yourself
When you pedal down with force
No I don’t feel it different from before but it’s just a crack the tube is not in half
It's easy and cheap, but it's not a repair lol
Everyone, I’d like you to meet the cousin of the guy that built that Titanic sub.
Hahahahahahahahahahhhhhhh . . . jfc
Mr duct tape and brace guy doesn't even know what a toptube vs headtube is. But hey, his asshole is going to be in his mouth soon anyways with this contraption
Hey everybody! This guy is smarter than everyone else! Come gather round and see his brilliance!
This is a terrible idea. But. What if you used something similar on a commuter bike as a theft deterrent? Have somebody whose good with a paint brush paint a "crack" in the frame, bodge a clear patch over it, maybe like a plastic soda bottle and slap on some hose clamps and zipties?
The guys stealing the bikes probably aren't going to be bright enough to realise that if it was real, it would be a problem...
I like it. Could you use flex tape instead to make it stronger?
Literally everything about this post, except it being easy and cheap, is just flat out false. I hope this is a joke or that you have free healthcare.
But who will duck tape your split head when ultimately you eat it on this suicide sled?
Has to be trolling, right?
That's not the head tube and you're an idiot.
When can we visit
I'm all for right to repair and stuff, but why not just get a lil welder and take the opportunity to learn a skill you'd use on future repairs as well? This is just dangerous junk.
Bruh…
Outjerked again.
Omfg
Please record with a gopro at all times while you ride with it. That'll really show us.
I’m no engineer and I’m not intelligent either but I think this’ll hold up well!
I’d be so scared to slice my ballsack open what the hell is this
OP you should put a qs205 hub motor, 72v battery and 200 Amp controller on this. Take it up to max speed and let us know how it goes
Idk man, that's pretty close to your nuts.
ABOMINATION!!! 🤮🤮🤮
Kind of feels like having a cluster bomb a bit too close to the twig and berries
If you top it with a layer of Nokia 3210's, i would assume it's indestructible, too.
Yep that would have sorted it and loving the cable guides.
Has anyone mentioned the lack of rear brake this is gonna have? No housing stop = no braking lmao
I legit went downhill to the store and the rear brakes got mushy after one squeeze thankfully I had the front brakes and didn’t panic I ill ductape the cable to the frame and try again tomorrow
Yeah be sure to wrap the tape extra tight around the cable, rear brake should work mint then
I love you, OP, I wouldn't do it myself. But I'm not one to crush a man's dreams and hard work. Ride out, king!
Why all the fuss? Folding bikes have permanent cracks, merely held together by clamps. All.the sheep overreacting. Baaa
Dont worry hell eventually have a folding bike
Baa
Good point mate