Older aluminum bike frames are cracking in my neighborhood. Check every one.

3 comments

3 Comments

Stuff just doesn't last anymore. My dad's old steel frame is fine, but new things crack. Everything's made to break now.

nguyen.blake6d ago

Yeah the "stuff doesn't last" thing is real. Seen a few older aluminum frames with cracks starting near the welds. What worked for me was just a careful check every few months, especially after rough rides. A clean frame and good light helps spot the small lines before they get big. Gotta look close around the joint areas, that's where the stress hides.

the_val20h ago

Spotting those hairline cracks early is everything. Got a buddy who swears by using a bright LED flashlight at an angle, really makes any tiny stress lines pop. Clean the frame first though, dust and dirt can hide the early signs. Honestly if you catch it before it spreads, some shops can even do a proper weld repair instead of a whole new frame.