Aluminum frames - failure modes? Life expectancy? - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-28T22:26:53Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/aluminum-frames-failure-modes-life-expectancy?commentId=1198434%3AComment%3A148071&feed=yes&xn_auth=no3 years seems pretty early. D…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2013-09-23:1198434:Comment:1480712013-09-23T16:43:28.250ZChris Mayhewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/ChrisMayhew
<p>3 years seems pretty early. Depends on how thin the tubes were and the quality of the bike. I've seen them crack sooner but most manufacturers are better than that.</p>
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<p>AL usually cracks at the welds if it's going to crack. Certain bikes are known to crack in certain areas but it's just a matter of which weld, usually.</p>
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<p>Depends on how thin the AL is. The really thin stuff maybe you get a season or two. I have some low end Ridleys from 2007 that I am still…</p>
<p>3 years seems pretty early. Depends on how thin the tubes were and the quality of the bike. I've seen them crack sooner but most manufacturers are better than that.</p>
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<p>AL usually cracks at the welds if it's going to crack. Certain bikes are known to crack in certain areas but it's just a matter of which weld, usually.</p>
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<p>Depends on how thin the AL is. The really thin stuff maybe you get a season or two. I have some low end Ridleys from 2007 that I am still racing.</p>
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<p>All frames will break or have a failure mode. Just a matter of knowing what you're getting, what to expect out of it and inspecting it often.</p>
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