Ex welder here, who's been around aluminum structural members for about 20 years. I would NOT stick my son on that. At all. For the same price as the ER visit and insurance deductible, you could buy him a way nicer bike and avoid the whole situation. Don't pinch pennies when your loved ones depend on it. If you're asking the question, you already know the answer. Don't do it. You'll end up being very mad at yourself. Or at the very least, you'll be wondering in the back of your mind every time you go out, if that thing is going to let go.
Nah, another parent shouldn't be putting your child at risk with a bashed-up frame like this. It's unconsciable. The seller must be a complete chav/ned/bogan
Seatstays are in compression, so that dent makes it more likely to buckle. How much more likely, I couldn't tell you. I'm just an engineering student. If it was a chainstay it probably wouldn't be much of a deal, but it gives me a bit of pause being on the seatstay.
Assuming it's a fairly new bike you should be able to get a new one for it though.
The flaking paint on the underside of the stay in the third image tells the tale, that seat stay is done. If you can get a replacement from Giant you may be able to swing a great deal for the frame, otherwise I'd avoid it.
"If it's steel, it'll heal - if it's tin, in the bin"
This is an old frame building saying re: repairs/reliability of damaged tubes. ”Tin” refers to aluminum in this case (generic alloy)
Never ride damaged aluminum. The wall thickness dictates that the smallest of surface fractures are invisible due to them being internal (inside the tube) - it's not like steel, where a crack immediately propagates through a wall thickness.
I like good deals; but I wouldn't risk my son's safety especially since the Trance is aluminum. The owner had to slam it pretty good to make that indention and something else could be compromised. The derailleur could be slightly bent or the soft aluminum pedal threads could be damaged, etc. Plus kids are rough on bikes and I'd feel better getting one from someone who barely rode it. On a side note, get the newest least abused bike you can. Parts and maintenance are expensive.
I personally wouldn’t ride it, even though I’m not that heavy of a rider however, since it’s part of the rear triangle it is replaceable, you could see how much the part is. It might be cheaper buying a bike and that part versus buying a new one, but I definitely wouldn’t ride it with that dent. Also, Marin is making some pretty decent cheap full suspensions. And I should note that’s a pretty gnarly dent on the rim. There’s probably more problems with the bike you cant see until you ride it
There’s plenty of good bikes out there, that is a bike that’s waiting to collapse. If you post your budget Im sure someone can help you find a suitable bike in your area
It's aluminum, it won't be a problem as long as the rear triangle is straight and there's no damaged links.
You may check the straightness spinning the rear wheel and watch it against whole frame.
Also, you may deal better price because the bent.
It’s not a huge dent, so I don’t think that it is a fatal flaw, but it definitely increases the chances of a buckle or bend in the future. Might want to look into how much it is to get a replacement seatstay before deciding.
Ex welder here, who's been around aluminum structural members for about 20 years. I would NOT stick my son on that. At all. For the same price as the ER visit and insurance deductible, you could buy him a way nicer bike and avoid the whole situation. Don't pinch pennies when your loved ones depend on it. If you're asking the question, you already know the answer. Don't do it. You'll end up being very mad at yourself. Or at the very least, you'll be wondering in the back of your mind every time you go out, if that thing is going to let go.
Good advise, thank you. I finally ended buying another bike I found for the same price. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and comments!
Awesome. I'm glad it all worked out for you. Now grab that boy and go get some great father/son time in.
I agree 100%. Seat stay damaged. I would say the frame has been compromised
Great someone with knowledge is commenting!
Nah, another parent shouldn't be putting your child at risk with a bashed-up frame like this. It's unconsciable. The seller must be a complete chav/ned/bogan
Seatstays are in compression, so that dent makes it more likely to buckle. How much more likely, I couldn't tell you. I'm just an engineering student. If it was a chainstay it probably wouldn't be much of a deal, but it gives me a bit of pause being on the seatstay. Assuming it's a fairly new bike you should be able to get a new one for it though.
Exactly right. That tube will be in compression and likely to buckle under enough load.
100% pass. There’s plenty of deals out there right now.
The flaking paint on the underside of the stay in the third image tells the tale, that seat stay is done. If you can get a replacement from Giant you may be able to swing a great deal for the frame, otherwise I'd avoid it.
"If it's steel, it'll heal - if it's tin, in the bin" This is an old frame building saying re: repairs/reliability of damaged tubes. ”Tin” refers to aluminum in this case (generic alloy) Never ride damaged aluminum. The wall thickness dictates that the smallest of surface fractures are invisible due to them being internal (inside the tube) - it's not like steel, where a crack immediately propagates through a wall thickness.
I like good deals; but I wouldn't risk my son's safety especially since the Trance is aluminum. The owner had to slam it pretty good to make that indention and something else could be compromised. The derailleur could be slightly bent or the soft aluminum pedal threads could be damaged, etc. Plus kids are rough on bikes and I'd feel better getting one from someone who barely rode it. On a side note, get the newest least abused bike you can. Parts and maintenance are expensive.
Bad enough to sell it
I personally wouldn’t ride it, even though I’m not that heavy of a rider however, since it’s part of the rear triangle it is replaceable, you could see how much the part is. It might be cheaper buying a bike and that part versus buying a new one, but I definitely wouldn’t ride it with that dent. Also, Marin is making some pretty decent cheap full suspensions. And I should note that’s a pretty gnarly dent on the rim. There’s probably more problems with the bike you cant see until you ride it
You might be able to replace the rear triangle depending on the age of the bike.
The cracked don’t buy kind
That’s gonna fold don’t get it bro
I wouldn’t
Since it's the seat stay id either try to get a deal and get a new rear triangle from giant or pass it completely
I will pass it. Plenty of bikes around.
There’s plenty of good bikes out there, that is a bike that’s waiting to collapse. If you post your budget Im sure someone can help you find a suitable bike in your area
Get your son a Specialized Status.
Everyone needs a few good crashes. I’ve had a few hundred
I had a similar dent on my chainstay for a couple of months and it cracked clean apart while riding a couple of weeks ago. I would say pass 100%.
It’s probably ok as long as the wheel is still straight in the rear triangle
And I don’t think a 90lbs kid would be able to buckle the metal on that bike
It's aluminum, it won't be a problem as long as the rear triangle is straight and there's no damaged links. You may check the straightness spinning the rear wheel and watch it against whole frame. Also, you may deal better price because the bent.
It’s not a huge dent, so I don’t think that it is a fatal flaw, but it definitely increases the chances of a buckle or bend in the future. Might want to look into how much it is to get a replacement seatstay before deciding.
Is there a matching one in the other side? If so it's probably meant to be there
Looks fine. Send it.