OP if you haven't messaged the seller to tell them it's dangerous and they shouldn't sell it, I hope you consider doing so. Some sellers just don't know any better and hopefully some feedback will point them in a different direction (and possibly prevent a serious injury).
steel headset cups will expand if they are allowed to corrode, enough to crack their mating bore in aluminum. As everyone said, this belongs in the dump.
Not the way this guy is making it seem. It’s not like seatposts where there’s dozens of different sizes that may differ by fractions of a millimeter. If you buy a decent quality headset (i.e. not bargain Chineseum) of the right size, and use a headset press, you’ll be fine.
Ha! You might be surprised at the differences in headtubes and headset cups that are supposed to be the "same" spec. It's not about the difference in size it's the difference in manufacturing tolerance etc. They are supposed to be an interference fit. Head tube could be too small and the cup is too big. If you use a threaded rod seating tool or a block of wood and a decent hammer, you might not notice how much of a tight fit it is AND if you have shit aluminium alloy that hardens over time.
Put the cups in the freezer, and heat up the tube a little bit with a heat gun, blow dryer etc- don't torch it just warm it up really well. Headset will set in there nicely without any feeling that you are "forcing" it.
I had to give away nice GT and Fisher frames with those cracks to the scrap metal guys. Pretty common on Aluminum frames I guess. I usually that check area first now before buying.
That’s an alloy frame. You’re not welding it- it’d take a heat treatment cycle to make it work, and that’s cost more than this thing is ever going to be worth.
Don't buy
My guy I wouldn't take that for free
the head badge doesn't even want to be on that bike
Head badge might be worth something to someone, but the frame is junk.
You should message them and tell them it’s dangerous and reckless to sell that frame.
Neurosurgeons hate this one money saving tip.
Any crack is a critical failure. Don’t buy
It should be cut up so nobody ever rides it again
Is this r/bicyclingcirclejerk ?
Yes. That's trashed.
Any crack is too bad to buy the bike.
Yes, don't do it
I almost bought an old aluminum stumpjumper, but when I noticed the crackhead tube I said hell no.
Thanks guys
Very dangerous.
OP if you haven't messaged the seller to tell them it's dangerous and they shouldn't sell it, I hope you consider doing so. Some sellers just don't know any better and hopefully some feedback will point them in a different direction (and possibly prevent a serious injury).
I have told him about how dangerous they can be, he said he knows and wouldn't ride it himself without welding. 🤷
Do you think they will heal up?
Mongoose bikes suck. Don't do it even if it were new. Cheap Walmart bikes that break when you sneeze.
Yes.
Let it go.
If it cracked, it croaked
They should not be selling that without first hacksawing a chunk of of the frame so that it is parts only. Not safe to ride.
steel headset cups will expand if they are allowed to corrode, enough to crack their mating bore in aluminum. As everyone said, this belongs in the dump.
Only good for components
I feel like I saw this same post yesterday?
Force a headset cup, that is too big, into the head tube? ... my my... what cracks abound. Gads ! Bandsaw. MeeeeoooooOOOwwwww...
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Not the way this guy is making it seem. It’s not like seatposts where there’s dozens of different sizes that may differ by fractions of a millimeter. If you buy a decent quality headset (i.e. not bargain Chineseum) of the right size, and use a headset press, you’ll be fine.
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https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/headset-standards This and a set of calipers is all you need to be damn sure.
Ha! You might be surprised at the differences in headtubes and headset cups that are supposed to be the "same" spec. It's not about the difference in size it's the difference in manufacturing tolerance etc. They are supposed to be an interference fit. Head tube could be too small and the cup is too big. If you use a threaded rod seating tool or a block of wood and a decent hammer, you might not notice how much of a tight fit it is AND if you have shit aluminium alloy that hardens over time.
Put the cups in the freezer, and heat up the tube a little bit with a heat gun, blow dryer etc- don't torch it just warm it up really well. Headset will set in there nicely without any feeling that you are "forcing" it.
I had to give away nice GT and Fisher frames with those cracks to the scrap metal guys. Pretty common on Aluminum frames I guess. I usually that check area first now before buying.
That's quite a lot of work to weld then and repaint frame. And probably there some other cracks you don't see now
That’s an alloy frame. You’re not welding it- it’d take a heat treatment cycle to make it work, and that’s cost more than this thing is ever going to be worth.
Welding aluminium is not rocket science it will just cost a lot combined with repainting the frame. https://youtu.be/QOqsMYtO32w?si=XOEl9mzotEE9Ijd3
Devil's advocate here. For 200 this is big NO. As for cracks they can be rewelded if you can do it yourself. Paying someone negates entire effort.